Have you ever heard of “purr therapy”? If you’re the happy owner of a cat, chances are you know all about it even if you’ve never heard of it.
By Catherine Caron
Same thing if you’ve ever binged-watched internet videos of oh-too-cute cats, making you emit uncontrollable cries of “ooooohhh, how cute!” in a high squealy voice, with a beautiful smile on your face.
If you think the sound of your cat purring (or that of your neighbor, which you want to kidnap – the cat, not the neighbor) relaxes you, you’re not hallucinating. The purr’s positive effect on human psychology is proven.
According to several studies presented in the book Tout sur un chat (All About a Cat) by Belgian veterinarian Joël Dehasse, cat-owners are in better psychological health than their non-cat-owning counterparts! The little furball’s purring can:
– Diminish anxiety and stress;
– Help you get to sleep;
– Lower blood pressure;
– Help elevate your mood and battle depression.
First seen in: Reflet de Société, Vol. 27, no. 1, printemps (spring) 2019, page 14
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