Are you one of the millions of people who suffer from anxiety? If so, you’re not alone. Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in the United States. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, genetics, and lifestyle choices.
While there are many medications available to treat anxiety, they can often have negative side effects and don't work for everyone. Some people also find that traditional therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aren't getting them the results they hoped for, so they want to combine their current efforts with other calming techniques for anxiety.
If this sounds like you, then using cat therapy for anxiety is worth a try. Cat therapy is a new and growing trend that uses cats as a form of treatment for anxiety disorders. Cats are effective at reducing stress levels and calming the nervous system. In fact, they have a built-in mechanism for this: purring!
A cat's purr has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and promote healing, both in themselves and their human companions. If you've ever wondered why your cat purrs when it's sick, that's the reason. Purring is a self-soothing technique.
So, how can you use cat therapy to calm your anxiety at home?
Do I Need a Specially Trained Therapy Cat?
While there are cats that are trained to provide emotional, physical, and medical support to human companions, you don't need a special therapy cat to ease anxiety.
Therapy animals are typically trained to go places with their humans, so they can provide needed support in a variety of situations. Therapy cats and dogs are also used in hospitals and nursing homes to provide support to an entire community. And there are emotional support animals (ESA) that haven't gone through special training programs but can provide enough support to their human owner that a doctor or psychiatrist has given them the title of ESA.
Your cat doesn't need either of these titles to offer support. He or she only needs to be the type of cat that enjoys affection and spending time with you. But even if your cat isn't into sitting in your lap and getting pet, they can still calm your anxiety in other ways.
How to Calm Anxiety at Home with Your Cat's Help
Cats are natural calming companions, and they can provide much-needed relief when you're feeling stressed. Here are ten ways your cat can calm your anxiety:
1. When your mind is racing with too many worries, playing with your cat can change your thinking.
Cats are excellent at helping to redirect your thoughts when you're feeling overwhelmed by anxiety. When you focus on playing with your cat, it will take your mind off of whatever is causing your thoughts to spiral. And the act of playing itself can release some of the built-up tension in your body.
Use your cat's favorite toy to get their attention. As long as it's interactive, both you and your cat will reap the benefits of a mood boost, physical activity, and anxiety relief.
Is your cat bored with the current toys you have and not responding? Try something new! Here are some cat toy options to get you started (paid link).
2. Watching your cat sleep can help you relax.
Look at little muffins over there sleeping so peacefully without a care in the world. Too cute!
The simple act of watching your cat sleep can help you relax and feel more at ease. Seeing your cat in a state of complete relaxation is a reminder that everything is okay in the world, even if it doesn't feel like it at the moment.
Plus, cats are just so dang cute when they're sleeping! How can you not feel a tiny bit better while looking at a sleeping cat?
3. During moments of panic, ground yourself in the moment by petting your cat.
If you're feeling panicked (which is simply your body giving you a rush of adrenaline), one of the best things you can do is ground yourself in the moment. And what better way to do that than by petting your cat?
The act of petting a cat has been shown to lower heart rate and blood pressure, two things that become elevated during a panic attack (which is different from an anxiety attack). So, if you find yourself feeling that electric shock or squeezing sensation of panic, reach for your cat and focus on how soft they are, how sweet and cuddly. Bring your attention to the movement of your hand as you pet Mr. Fluffers. The physical contact will soothe your nerves and ease anxiety so you can return to a normal calm state.
4. Let your cat lay on your chest and purr.
There's nothing quite like the sound of a cat purring. It's been said to have healing properties, and there's some truth to that!
When a cat purrs, it vibrates at a frequency between 20-140 Hertz, which is shown to be medically therapeutic for humans. Several researchers have found that sound frequencies in this range can boost bone density and assist wound healing. So, when your cat lays on your chest and purrs, they're actually helping your body heal.
Purring also has calming effects on the human nervous system. And the act of stroking a cat releases oxytocin, which is sometimes called the "cuddle hormone" because it produces feelings of love, happiness, and contentment.
5. Your cat's tendency to 'make biscuits' is like a mini-massage to ease tension.
When cats knead, they rhythmically press their paw pads into your skin, which feels pretty darn good (provided their nails are clipped!). It's also been shown to help relieve muscle tension. You may not be able to get a massage every time you're feeling stressed, but chances are good you have a cat who can give you one more often than not.
When you're overly anxious, start with putting your cat in your lap and easing them into relaxing on you with some pets. With some coaxing, you can get Miss KittyFace to start kneading.
Cats Are the Perfect Calming Technique for Anxiety
Though anxiety is a common emotion, it can be incredibly difficult to live with and manage on a day-to-day basis. If you're looking for an effective way to calm your anxious thoughts and feelings, consider turning to your cat for help.
Cats have been shown to possess calming effects on the human nervous system, and their presence can help ease tension and anxiety. Whether you're watching them sleep, petting them as they purr, or getting them to 'make biscuits' on your tense muscles, cats provide relief from anxiety symptoms.
When you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, or panicked, don't hesitate to reach out for some kitty love. And remember to reward your sweet cat with treats (paid link) for all of their support and a job well done.