8 Reasons Why Cats Are Self-Care Icons
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The original #wellnessinfluencer? Cats. Why, you ask? Because they’re self-care goals.
Our feline companions know how to set boundaries, live authentically, and self-heal, among other things.
In honor of #InternationalCatDay, we rounded up some of our favorite ways cats live, breathe, and purr (sorry, had to) self-care.
1. They Self-Soothe via Purring
Cats purr when they’re happy—but also when they’re nervous or in pain. Some experts believe this latter type of purring is a self-soothing mechanism. The frequency of their purr, weirdly, is one at which bones and muscles best “grow and repair themselves,” according to LiveScience.com.
2. They’re Not Afraid to Set Boundaries
When cats don’t cover their poop in their litter box, it’s their way of saying, “I ain’t afraid of no human.”
3. They Have a Skin-care (and Fur-care) Routine
Grooming helps cats spread natural oils through their skin and coat, keeping it looking sharp. It’s also a stress-reliever.
4. They Speak Their Needs
Cats can manipulate their meow to sound as urgent as a baby’s cry—making us care for them quicker.
5. They Prioritize Their Zzzzzs
Yup, cats spend a whopping two-thirds of their life asleep. They have no FOMO—only JOMO.
6. They Chose Their Destiny
According to Quartz, cats chose to hang with humans about 9,000 years ago when they noticed they could get some extra food from farmers.
7. They’re All For Showing Support
Cats can lower an owner’s stress level, and specifically they can help people in mourning move on after a loss more quickly.
8. They’re Here to Spread the Love
A 2003 study conducted in Austria found that “having a cat in the house is the emotional equivalent of having a romantic partner,” according to Mental Floss. Now, we have to patiently wait for Bumble Cat to become a thing.
h/t BuzzFeed
Interested in adopting a cat? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) can help you rescue a feline friend.
Read next: The Atlas of Self-Care: How People in 50+ Countries Take Care of Themselves
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