How Cats Make Us Healthier And Happier People

Guest Post by Emily Parker

Whether it's a vacation or getting off the couch to exercise more often, there are a lot of simple things you can do in your everyday life to start bringing you more happiness. I’m all for huge personal transformations, but I love it when the little things just increase your quality of life and happiness in a way that you feel each and every day.

But there’s one thing we can do to hugely increase our chances of a happier (and healthier) life that I don’t hear talked about nearly enough. There are studies backing it, millions of people enjoying the benefits right now, and it’s not all that difficult or costly.

That one thing, of course, is bringing a cat into your life.

For example, if you're in the market for great entertainment that will boost your mood, spend a few minutes watching your cat play. According to research studies, doing so can boost your mood just as much as if you were with a spouse or best friend, and it's also been shown to help people suffering from mild to moderate depression.

And if you find yourself going nonstop each day and getting more and more stressed out, take a moment to observe your kitty. Chances are if they're not playing or eating, they're curled up taking a nap. By following your kitty's example and taking a quick power nap, you'll feel refreshed and ready to take on the world yet again.

Owning a friendly feline can help you make new friends, too, and friends have a massive influence on our mood! Whether you strike up a conversation with someone who's also standing in the pet food aisle trying to decide what Fluffy wants for supper or start talking with a fellow cat lover in the waiting room of a vet's office, you'll be around others who share your love of cats. As a result, the foundation for a beautiful friendship has been laid.

If you’d like to learn more about the health and happiness benefits of adopting a cat, check out the infographic below, or see the original article here on Catological.com.