Today is June 4th, also known as, National Hug your Cat Day!
Does your feline need a little extra loving today? Or do you just need a little extra loving today? Studies show that hugging is extremely effective at healing sickness, disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress.
A famous quote by psychotherapist Virginia Satir states, “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”
Twelve hugs a day seems like a bit much, but if your cat doesn’t mind all the kitty loving then we encourage it! A hug can’t hurt; it can only help, so why not? Whether you’re upset, sick, or are just in need of some TLC, it is always a good idea to hug it out. We’re here to give you the lowdown on the benefits of hugging your feline to prepare you for June 4, National Hug Your Cat Day!
1. The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust and a sense of safety. This helps with open and honest communication. Your kitty will feel like the most trusted feline in the animal kingdom! Cats are very secure animals, so this can only further your bond with your animal.
2. Holding a hug for an extended time lifts one’s serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness. Nothing is better than having a happy cat in the house!
3. Hugging relieves nerves and stress. The act of embracing increases circulation to dispel tension in your muscles. After a long day at work, hugging your cat can be the cure all for your taxing day. From sore muscles to mending bones, holding a purring cat close can actually help alleviate physical pain.
4. Hugs teach us how to give and receive. There is equal value in receiving and being receptive to warmth, as to giving and sharing. Hugs educate us how love flows both ways. This could be great for small kids who are just learning about life. This lesson in love can be very beneficial.
5. The medicinal value in hugging your cat is worth meowing about! Who knew?! It stimulates the thymus gland which balances the body’s production of white blood cells keeping us healthy, stimulates the brain’s release of dopamine which reduces depression and activates pleasure, and releases endorphins and serotonin which also promotes pleasure and reduces pain.
Watch this loving cat hug it out with his owner!
Now that you’re fully informed on the benefits of hugging (as if there’s drawbacks), it’s time to find your kitty and hug it out. Take advantage and give as many hugs as possible. Your furry friend is always available, so we encourage the embracing. Hugging is always appropriate, not just on holidays dedicated to the act in question. You can practice all year ’round, while having your friends with four (or two) legs on the receiving end. If you do not have a furry friend, adopt one for the holiday!
Adopt a feline worth hugging HERE!
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