The Benefit Of Pets For Your Mental Health
We give animals treats, but they can be your Treatment for mental health? Here’s my case in support!
I wake up in the morning with another beautiful day of being alive. I get up and make my bed. And as soon as I open my door, what do I see? A beautiful furry bundle of joy sitting there with his little wittle plush toy.
My voice goes into this high pitched voice of affection that if the windows were open, someone may think it’s a girl.
Don’t tell me I am the only one. The cuteness overload of an animal is so overwhelming that we just can’t help but change our voice.
The best thing about it is I am smiling when I see my cat TJ. I just can’t help but smile. And that is one thing that is absolutely beneficial for our mental health. Wouldn’t you think?
Smiling and laughter are two of our biggest best friends who help us create that happiness feeling. And having TJ around has delivered on all that.
We are told to surround ourselves with those who make us feel happy. And I couldn’t agree anymore.
Your life is so beautiful, and yet so limited; don’t waste a second on what people think or on that past regret. In the end, it won’t matter.
But today, I want you to start to make your life matter, because you matter and what makes you smile matters.
So, let me share with you my beautiful experience of adopting a cat named TJ.
But before I do, check this out.
According to The Power of Pets NIH (News in Health), “Interacting with animals has shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress- related hormone) and to lower blood pressure.
Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.
When we got our little guy TJ, in December of 2014, I was going through a rough time in my life. I remember having to work at home for a few weeks because of my situation with agoraphobia. Man, it was a bad time.
So, when I found out I was getting a cat, I didn’t really think much of it because I really never had a pet before. But I still loved animals.
When TJ first came home, he started hiding under the table for about a week. I left the food and water. So when I sleep he could eat, drink, and explore his new surroundings.
Every morning, I would start petting him under the table and letting him get to know me and my routine. I would softly whisper to him and told him how much I loved him and I would gently blink my eyes as a sign of affection.
As I was working on projects for work, I would pet him occasionally, and despite my struggles, TJ helped me put my problems away. He made me focus on my new responsibilities and routines.
These responsibilities gave me purpose. This gave me so much independence. It was like he was indirectly helping me with my mental health.
He made me look forward to seeing him every morning and his cute little behaviours. I once tried to play with him with a toy that is a long stick that has a toy bird attached to it and it would move around.
It was so cute how his little paw from under the table would stick out trying to get that toy bird. I would kiss him before I went to bed, tucking him in with his tiny cartoon blanket with a small stuffed animal.
Now, this is where magic appeared in my life. It was after a beautiful week of getting to interact with TJ, I remember watching Netflix and I fell asleep. Well, I was not fully asleep, but getting there. I guess the movie was boring me to sleep.
All jokes aside, I heard a light, soft, cute meow. I gently opened my eyes and to my surprise it was TJ. I was so happy and I embraced him with a hug.
And you want to know the cutest part? He started rubbing his face all over my face. It was so adorable. There was that trust.
He then put his head on my lap and laid there as we both were watching that boring movie. I mean this happened every day. He would just chill with me. He kept me company through work and became my Netflix buddy.
My mood started to improve drastically. I felt happier because seeing him every morning and feeling that unconditional love from him, gave me a sense of joy and happiness. That’s when he made me realize that if he even got out of his comfort zone, so could I.
Long story short, when I got better and got my life back together, I wrote an article called the Fighter. My depression went down and my anxiety and stress was alleviated. My new life started. TJ made me feel how life is important and just to live your life and enjoy it in the time we are here.
He made me realize to just focus on today and don’t worry about anything. Just go with the flow. Sometimes, we need to step outside that safe box, as he did.
TJ is a beautiful and loving cat. He is not a pet. He is a family member who means the world to me. He was abandoned by his mother, but we will love and protect him. God sent him to me for a reason. It was because we can both help each other.
You see, when you have depression or anxiety, you may tend to avoid the world. But, a pet will help you alleviate that isolation that you feel. Almost like a buddy.
You feel calmer and they will be there for you when you are at your hardest times. They will be affectionate and sometimes naughty, but animals are, in my opinion, the most beautiful creatures in the world.
Their presence alone will improve your mood. We are their voice and it is our job to love and protect them as much they do for us. So, if you can, go ahead and get a dog, cat, or any house animal that will make you happy, as you so deserve to be.
Remember, you are never alone. Not only are you loved and important to people, but you are also loved by, and important to, all the animals you cross paths with.
As having a pet can improve your mood and be an immense helping hand, you must continue to make personal progress in your life with consistency through moving forward and going after what you truly want.