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How Cats Make Humans Happier and Healthier (Infographic)

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Really Bad Girls of the Bible by Liz Curtis Higgs

Alexa, Busy Supervising my Book Reviews!

If you’ve read any of my blogs or have bumped into me on social media, you know one thing for certain about me – I am ALL about my cats! They’re family and I’m not the least bit embarrassed to say that I love them wildly.

In addition to spoiled rotten indoor cats, we also have a healthy number of outside cats – we live in the country and have loved/sheltered a feral colony of cats for years. While we provide the best food on the market for our furry babies, as well as a steady stream of new/creative cat toys, love/attention, and daily fresh water (confession time: I refrigerate it in the summer months)… our cats give us far more than we give them.

Benefits of Cats

  • They are 24/7 entertainment. Cats are little toddlers which means they’re little clowns. Even when a cat isn’t trying to be funny… she can’t help but be exactly that!
  • Cats are purrfect stress-relievers. Petting a cat or, if they aren’t as fond of petting as they are playing, playing with a cat makes the cares and worries of the day float away.
  • Cats are a CURE ALL for loneliness. I often (often, often, often, often) hear from parents who are either facing an empty nest or have kids who had the audacity to grow up (Crazy Kids!!) – one of the first pieces of advice I offer is this: “If you have the room and means to care for her/him, go to your local shelter and adopt a cat or two. Focusing love and attention on this new furry family member will help heal you in ways you didn’t think were possible. Giving a furry baby a forever home and forever family is a WONDERFUL thing to do… but, trust me, in a few months you’ll wonder….’Okay, who exactly saved who?!‘”
  • You can’t underestimate the physical and health benefits of a cat, either. When they’re so beneficial for your emotional health, it only makes sense that they’re beneficial for your physical health.

A Few Precautions for Those New to Cats in the Family

  • Always be certain that you (as well as your family members) do not have cat allergies before bringing one home. It would be heart-breaking for all concerned (especially the cat!) to have to turn around and take her back to the shelter.
  • If you aren’t familiar with cats, allow this cat mamma to prepare you for something – they are unlike any animal you are familiar with. They are incredibly unpredictable – which, in my opinion adds to their charm and high level of entertainment value. Although there are exceptions, most cats do NOT like to snuggle and cuddle. They’ll often grace you with their presence by laying in your lap, but if you try to push it (by, say, petting too much!), they’ll bolt. You just have to get to know your own little one and let her/his personality and temperament call the shots.
  • No two cats are exactly the same. One of our cats (Guennie) had three kittens and they are the PERFECT example of how different cats can be. One of the three (Dokkie) cannot get enough attention and affection. She seeks it out! She thinks nothing of jumping right up on your chest and nuzzling under your chin – purring so loudly the other cats wonder what’s up. Another one (Huckleberry) loves affection nearly as much as Dokkie but her idea of a good time is playing. She’ll snuggle for a few minutes, but she’d much rather attack your feet, hands, or anything else you have to offer. You could pick up either of these two kittens and carry them for 2 miles and they’d never say a thing about it – however the third kitten (Tulip) is, shall we say, more tightly wrapped?! She is, in fact, more like the typical female cat. She will sit in your lap and allow you to pet her, but if she thinks you’re pushing your luck. she’s liable to meow loudly at you and stomp off. She’s just as adorable, just as lovable, and just as appreciated as her sisters – she’s just different. NEVER take a cat’s temperament or personality personally – they are not trying to be difficult and they are not insulting you (Judging? Absolutely! Insulting? No.)

The infographic below (from https://www.catological.com) will show you (adorably!) 22 ways cats make humans happier and healthier. Enjoy!

 

The Non-Confrontational Person’s Guide to Conflict

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When this infographic landed in my e-mail, I couldn’t help but smile. I am, quite possibly, the most non-confrontational person to ever walk on two legs. I can’t speak for three or four-legged people, but I’m all but certain I hold the title among the two legged.

People do, of course, have different temperaments and personalities – as well as different experiences and life stories. Each of these things go into making us the way we are, for better or worse.

Personally, I think something else contributes to this particular train and you don’t have to look any further than your mom and/or dad.

Many times, if we’re raised by at least one parent who has an outgoing… confrontational, when need be… personality, we tend to pull back. It could be simply because we grew up knowing they would take care of everything. They had our back, so to speak, so we didn’t even have to turn around, let alone add our two cents to the moment.

It can, of course, go even further. If, by way of our own personality and temperament, we were somewhat embarrassed by our parent’s gregarious approach to conflict, we pull back EVEN further.

Welcome to my world!

My mom was NOT a wallflower. She was the most amazing, predominant piece of furniture… and she didn’t sit against the wall… oh no! She’d be the amazing, predominant piece of furniture in the middle of the room. Smack in the middle with a lamp shining on her. That was my mother and I loved her greatly.

While I was more the comfy chair next to the window, I did, usually appreciate her placement in the spotlight. However, there were times when (as a calm and quiet chair) she would mortify me in public. If her steak wasn’t “just right,” the server and cook would know about it. If we had waited beyond an acceptable amount of time at the clinic, the entire room would soon be aware of just how many minutes we’d been there.

If a salesperson, nurse, doctor, or electrician was rude, they’d soon pay the piper.

My dad and I exchanged so many, “She’s about to blow…” glances over the years and nearly as many, “She blew…” glances.

Two different teachers flat-out wronged me in high-school and – by the time it was all over – I almost felt sorry for them. You see, nothing would elicit an eruption quite like thinking her only child had been wronged.

I wonder if either teacher has recovered yet?

At any rate, I am non-confrontational to the extreme. If you’re a similar “comfy chair” (And let me go ahead and say there’s nothing wrong with that! What’s a room without chairs, after all?!), you’ll enjoy this infographic as much as I did.

~ Joi (“Joy”)

The Non-Confrontational Person's Guide to Conflict (Infographic)

Credit: The Non-Confrontational Person’s Guide to Conflict

How Support Dogs (and Other Things) Can Improve Your Emotional Well-Being

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Joey

“If you’re going through seriously rough times having a companion to rely on can help you through.”

by Amanda Green

Being Daily

The mind and body work together as one. Just as important as taking care of your physical health, your emotional well-being must be cared for daily. As life sends you through trials, tribulations, celebrations, and victories, the mind must learn to adapt – which isn’t always easy. Learning how to keep your mind clear of clutter and finding ways to mentally stimulate the joy within can often help you to see life in a new light. Below are seven suggestions on how you can improve your emotional well-being.

  1. Meditation

The art of meditation can do wonders for the mind. It is a process of clearing the mind of negative thoughts and filling it with peace, tranquility, and silence. Meditation can reduce stress, improve concentration, increases self-awareness, and ultimately helps to improve happiness. Just 15 minutes in the morning can help clear your mind of whatever is weighing it down, so you’re better equipped to handle the day.

  1. Words of Affirmation

Whether you’re mentally unhealthy, struggling with low self-esteem, or dealing with depression, part of healing the mind is changing the way you think. If you want to improve your emotional well-being, words of affirmation can do the trick. Rather than looking to other people or things to make you feel happy, your own words could help improve self-awareness and build confidence. Choose a few positive things to say about yourself, your life, or your goals that can be said every morning. Ideas might include, “today will be a good day”, “I am worthy”, “I am a good person”.

  1. A Support Animal

If you’re going through seriously rough times having a companion to rely on can help you through. Unlike people who can sometimes bring you down, a support animal is there to provide you with the unconditional love you need. If you’d like a support animal, you’ll need to meet with a therapist who can write a recommendation letter for emotional support animals on your behalf. Your beloved dog or cat will be there to give you love, help boost your confidence, and keep you safe.

  1. Read

When they say reading is fundamental, they were telling the truth. One way to improve your emotional well-being is to read more. Instead of reading about the news and current events which can sometimes be depressing, try reading about positive things. Read a quote about happiness. Pick up a motivational book by a celebrity or speaker you enjoy. Or perhaps read religious materials to strengthen your faith.

  1. Unplug

From the internet to the television screen, being plugged in all the time can impede your path to emotional well-being. Seeing too much negativity, lifestyles you wish you could have, and other data all the time can make seeing reality and living your own life happily a lot more difficult to accomplish. Unplug from TV, your computer, and your cell phone at least once a week. Take this time to reflect on everything positive in your life. Take a walk and be one with nature, spend time talking with your family, just make sure that whatever you do, you’re not engaged in screen time.

  1. Write it Down

Believe it or not, journaling can be a great way to improve your emotional well-being. When you’re able to get your innermost feelings and thoughts out on paper, you feel a lot better. Write motivational pieces, poems, or even some goals and ideas you may have had on your mind. Going back to reflect on these later can give you the mental boost you need to get through everything.

  1. Exercise

Exercising helps your emotional health in more ways than one. Not only does the increase of physical activity increase the production of endorphins responsible for improving mood, but routine exercise helps to boost confidence, improve memory, improve sleep, and strengthen the body. Whether you join a gym, jog every day, or follow an exercise tape at home, you’ll start to feel energized and on top of the world.

As they say, the mind is a terrible thing to waste. Whether you consider yourself to be mentally well or you’re going through trying times that has you emotionally drained, these tips will help you improve your mood. Every day, take small steps towards finding inner peace, removing the negativity, and improving upon yourself as an individual. In the end, you’ll find that life, even the difficult times, are a lot easier to get through.

Nacho“Your beloved dog or cat will be there to give you love, help boost your confidence, and keep you safe.”

Beautiful Anne Frank Quote About Making the World a Better Place

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Anne Frank Quote Graphic

Anytime I hear someone bemoan the crazy, often “mean” and heartbreaking world we live in, my first thought is this: The more pain there is, the more opportunities there are.  Frankly, there are far too many people preaching, protesting, and lecturing these days without nearly enough of us rolling up our sleeves and going out on the proverbial limb to help others.

As the amazing Anne Frank said, we don’t have to wait a single moment before helping make the world a better place.  And she’s right about something else… it is wonderful.

 

 

 

 

 

Doing Away With the “Permanence” Mindset at Any Age

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Never Too Late Quote Graphic

Whether you’re green behind the ears, just graduated and eager to begin your new life as a hard-working business person — or maybe you’ve been in the workforce longer than most college grads have even been alive, chances are you’ve felt the weight of mental and physical exhaustion on your back. From being hunched over a textbook in the library, hunched over a computer in the office, or hunched over a hot stove cooking dinner for the family, you can likely pinpoint the moment you first felt “old.”

As we all know, aging is an inevitable fact of life, but it doesn’t have to be an unpredictable, scary one. While aging can indeed be a cruel mistress, there are so many methods of setting her back, of keeping her placated before she turns on you. Rather than punishing you for your advanced years, you can always appease her for longer, more youthful years, despite the changing of months on the calendar. Going back to school as a non-traditional student, making a sudden career change, pursuing new hobbies — nothing scares aging more than change.

First and foremost, there are the obvious side effects of aging, particularly visual ones. Perhaps lately you’re finding that your coworkers suddenly have to raise their voices around you — or maybe you have to address a hearing problem yourself, in a close friend you’ve known since high school who spent her formative years shrieking in glee every night with a drink in her hand. Maybe your memory isn’t quite as good as it used to be, maybe your grip is a little shakier than you remember.

All of these things are to be expected, but they don’t have to be things that hold you back.

Particularly when you’re still an active member of the workforce, age should be the last thing to hold you back. Of course, there are always things you can do to help fight the side effects of growing older; things such as regular exercise and a healthy diet, which has been shown to decrease the prevalence of dementia in older generations, as well as encouraging an overall positive attitude and outlook on life.

For some, retiring at the “suggested” age either isn’t feasible or perhaps isn’t actually a desire for those who love what they do for a living. Whether that be careers in writing, art, mathematics, or engineering, many people were blessed in the career path they wanted, and now get to reap the benefits of enjoying every day at work.

If you aren’t one of those people, though, it’s important to remember that it’s never too late to make a change in your life, either — if you always really wanted to be an artist, or a doctor, or a chef, or an astronaut … what’s stopping you?

Maybe you’ve been working at a desk your entire life, but realize you’d rather go back to school because charity work and other public service roles would better suit your career or life goals. Maybe you’d prefer to be in a sunlit painting studio all day, reminiscing on the trip to took to France in your earlier years. Maybe you’d even prefer the socialization that working in an energetic office space brings.

Whether it’s your age, your finances, or the thought of escaping your comfort zone, the idea of permanence is a dangerous one. Whether you’re 18 or 80, the thought that you only have a few singular choices in life, or that you have to follow a certain timeline in order to be “successful,” is how people end up unhappy with their lives. The sooner people realize that, the sooner they can turn their lives around into something they’d rather have or be, even if that “something” was never on the radar until recently.

The number of non-traditional students seeking higher education in the US continues to grow every year. Whether they be attending in person, or online, there are more adult students signing up for classes every year. More and more adults are realizing the dangers of a mindset revolving around permanence.

Maybe your goals don’t include returning to school — even just applying yourself with a new zeal into your work is certain to boost your mood and your overall self of being. Maybe your productivity has slipped in the past few years — what’s stopping you from tightening your belt, and going after it wholeheartedly again? Even if you don’t seek any promotions, or a raise in pay, simply seeking out what once inspired you to work hard is enough of a rewarding endeavor in itself. Even just simple day to day things, like developing new, positive habits in your work or home life, are certain to boost your mood and self esteem.

So, whether you’re just settling into a new career you hope to be your one and only or you’ve been working hard at it for decades now, there are so many ways to keep the inspiration and the spark alive. Dedicate yourself to the things you love, don’t be afraid to pursue others you expect you’d love, and make sure to put yourself and your own mental health first, before all else. Throw out the mindset of permanence, and you’re destined for a long life full of positive motivation and happy memories.