In 2008 and 2009, Forbes ranked Chicago as the number one most stressful city in which to live and work in the country. By September of 2011, Chicago had dropped to third, behind Los Angeles and New York City; however, the difference between first and third can feel nonexistent to the average worker. One of the factors affecting how stressful cities are is traffic, and Chicago has some of the most congested traffic in the country, making already stressful workdays here even worse.
Kathleen Hall, the founder and CEO of the Stress Institute in Atlanta, was quoted by Forbes in 2011 as saying, “Commuters can experience greater anxiety than fighter pilots in battle.” The long commutes and extremely heavy traffic of Chicago makes its workers more stressed than workers who don't have to fight such terrible traffic day after day. Finances also play a role; the cost of living in Chicago is high despite a sagging housing market, making people living on tight budgets feel even more stressed.
These kinds of stress can lead to all kinds of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and a whole host of other problems. But for those who own a cat, there may be some relief waiting at home each evening. Here are five ways in which having a cat help with stress:
· Cats are undemanding. Contrary to popular myths and jokes about cats, they love you and give you their company without demanding very much in return. When you’ve got a demanding job with a demanding boss, you may often feel like everybody wants something from you while nobody’s willing to give you anything in return. Cats can relieve this feeling by giving you their love and companionship unconditionally.
· Cats can relieve loneliness. Truthfully, any pet can relieve loneliness just by being there, but dogs and cats, because of their affectionate natures, are better at showing that they love you no matter what. After an especially bad day at work, coming home to a loving cat that twines itself around your ankles can make you feel less isolated and alone. You can even vent at your cat—being careful not to raise your voice—and they’ll listen to every word without pointing out everything you’re wrong about, or telling you to "just deal with it."
· Cats can make you laugh. How often has your cat leaped at absolutely nothing, made weird little chirping sounds while looking out the window, or done something else that you found so silly you just had to laugh? According to an article by staff at the Mayo Clinic, laughter is not just good for short-term stress relief; it’s also good for long-term stress relief.
· Rhythmic stroking not only feels good to your cat, it can relieve your own anxiety. The soft feel of a cat’s fur and the repetitive motion of petting can soothe even the worst stress. It doesn’t require any thinking on your part, and can be a bonding experience as it reminds your cat of being washed by its mother. Stroking your cat’s fur can make it purr, which can be even more calming for you.
· Cats often seem to know when something is wrong. Have you ever come home from work so upset that all you wanted was to curl up in bed and shut the entire world out forever? Cats can sense by your behavior, and even by your scent, that there’s a problem. Oftentimes they behave as though they want to comfort you; they quietly pad up to you and curl up against your leg or your side, giving you their love and support. Physical touch is both soothing and a good way to bond.
Because having a cat can help to reduce your stress level, it can help to reduce your risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. It can even help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, since we’re less likely to want to reach for junk food when we’re feeling more relaxed and content.
Many people feel perpetually stressed out with employers who seem to demand ever more without understanding that everyone needs to be able to relax and unwind from work in their off-time. Does it have to be this way? It shouldn’t. Ideally, you should be able go to work, do your job, come home and leave your job at your job. However, with ever-increasing stress levels at work, people are finding it more difficult to relax when they get home. Having a cat around can help you to relax better, which will ultimately help you be a more productive employee and a healthier person overall.
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