Purrfect Wellbeing & Pawsitive Mental Health: Lessons from Our Feline Friends
Mindfulness:
These feline gurus that we call ‘cats’ are the ultimate mindfulness teachers, capable of showing us how to live in the present moment with ease and grace. Watch as they stretch and meditate for hours on end, without a care in the world. When a cat is curled up in a sunbeam, they are fully present in the moment, savoring every single sensation. It seems like their favourite thing to do is to constantly look out of a window - no matter whether there’s a bird outside, or even just a bug, they will stop and stare for minutes, hours, and sometimes even the whole day! And when they pounce on a toy, they do it with such pure focus and intention. If humans could learn to live like cats, we'd all be purring with inner peace. Indeed, multiple meta-analyses (which combine the results from hundreds of research experiments) have found that mindfulness can effectively reduce anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as increase quality of life and happiness (amongst other factors). So, if you're feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of modern life, why not take a cue from your feline friends and book in therapy sessions to learn how to incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine.
Overstimulation:
Cats absolutely hate being overstimulated, whether it's from loud noises, too much attention, too many snuggles, or just about any kind of sensory overload. Overstimulation for cats is basically their kryptonite! And as it turns out, overstimulation can be just as detrimental to our own mental health and wellbeing as it is to our feline friends. With the constant hustle and bustle of modern life, it's easy to get caught up in the fast-paced nature of things and neglect our own self-care. But just like cats, we need to give ourselves permission to prioritize self-care and to make time to recharge. So, if you're feeling overstimulated or overwhelmed and need help managing your stress levels, consider booking in therapy sessions at The Healing Dock - just like how cats make sure to take a nap when they need to recharge their batteries!
Gratitude:
We can also learn a lot from cats when it comes to gratitude. Just watch your feline friend for a few minutes and you'll see that they absolutely love and appreciate the small things in life! For instance, have you ever bought your cat a fancy new toy, only to find that they're far more interested in the “plain old” cardboard packaging? Cats really do appreciate the little things and find joy in simplicity - and often, they thank us with a dead cockroach or mouse! Unfortunately, due to all the stress that life can bring, humans on the other hand often forget to notice and appreciate the small things in life, and this can harm our mental health. Indeed, research has consistently found that gratitude is strongly associated with greater happiness and lower levels of depression and anxiety. Similarly, studies have found that completing gratitude exercises for just a few weeks can increase happiness by about 10%. So if you’re currently struggling to find joy in your life, and would like to learn how to appreciate the small things, we can help you out at The Healing Dock.
Persistence & Extreme Optimism:
Cats can teach us a thing or two about persistence and optimism when it comes to our mental health. They have an unwavering determination to catch their prey, spending 90% of their time carefully planning their next move and getting into the right position to pounce, before finally making that move (also, how mindful is that!). And sometimes, even when it seems impossible to catch their target, they keep trying with unrelenting optimism. Once, my adorable cat (Harry) even jumped at a fence that was way too high for her and absolutely face planted! ... Just to try and reach a bird. She had absolutely no chance, but gosh she tried! We can all learn from cats’ perseverance and determination, especially during challenging times when we might feel like giving up. So, let's take a page from our feline friends' book and keep trying, even when it feels like we have no chance of success. This isn’t always easy though! So, if you're struggling with maintaining optimism and persistence in the face of adversity, consider booking in therapy sessions at The Healing Dock, where we can help you to develop a growth mindset and build resilience. Remember, even the most persistent hunters like our feline friends need a helping hand sometimes!
Play and Curiosity:
Cats are the ultimate playmates - they can find fun in anything from chasing a piece of string to attacking their own tail. Their energy and enthusiasm for play is infectious and can bring a smile to anyone's face. And let's not forget their curiosity - they will investigate anything that catches their eye, even if it's just a speck of dust on the floor. In contrast, humans have sadly too often forgotten about the importance of play in our lives... and yet, play is so crucial for mental health. Not only does play stimulate the release of endorphins and improve mood, but it also helps reduce stress and anxiety. Taking time to engage in playful activities can help us feel more energized and less burnt out. Indeed, research has found that play has been shown to increase creativity, improve problem-solving abilities, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. So maybe we could all learn a thing or two from our feline friends and take some time to embrace our inner child and curiosity; let go of our inhibitions, judgements, and fear of failure; and engage in some good old-fashioned playtime. If you are struggling to do these things, we can help out at The Healing Dock.
Boundaries & Seeking Help:
Cats can teach us a lot about boundaries. While humans often struggle to say "NO - enough is enough!" and to set limits for themselves (e.g., when their boss is working them too hard, or when their partner or family member is not treating them well), cats will certainly not hesitate to let you know when they have had enough. Whether it's by walking away, pawing at you, scratching, hissing, or (hopefully not!) biting, they will communicate their boundaries clearly and assertively. In a similar manner, cats certainly aren’t shy about asking for help! If a cat wants something, they'll paw at your feet or they might meow like there’s no tomorrow until they get it (trust me, Harry certainly knows how to do this to get me out of bed for a 5am feed!). In the same way, it's important for humans to learn to ask for help when needed, just like cats do. So, if you are struggling to set boundaries and to communicate your needs to others, consider seeking help at The Healing Dock.
Rest & Recovery:
As much as we may try to deny it, we humans are not invincible. We need rest, recovery, and self-care just like any other living creature. And who better to remind us of this than our furry feline friends? After a long day of playing outside (or sometimes even just after a long day of lounging), cats have a way of completely surrendering to their exhaustion and plopping down on the couch for a good nap. Sometimes, after playing outside, Harry is so exhausted and ready for rest that she won’t even make it to the couch - she’ll simply just roll over on the wood floor and sleep on that like there’s no tomorrow! Cats are so insistent on having enough nap time that it’s almost as if they know that taking time for rest is crucial to their well-being. Let’s take a cue from our feline friends and prioritise our own rest to recover from our long days. Because, after all, if we don't get enough sleep and rest, we can get just as cranky as our feline companions. So, if you're struggling to prioritise rest and recovery in your life, consider booking in therapy sessions at The Healing Dock to help you develop healthy self-care habits and to manage your stress levels. Remember, just like a cat, it's important to take care of yourself and get enough rest so you can be your best self.
“In the silent purr of a cat, we find the essence of serenity, the importance of presence, and the joy of life’s simple moments. Let our feline friends guide us towards a life of mindfulness, gratitude, and true wellbeing.”