How My Cats Helped Me Through My Breakup

I recently went through a pretty gnarly breakup, and as all my friends rally around me to support me, I keep saying to them, "At least I have my cats." Yes, I've lost my boyfriend, but I'm not alone because I have my Sherlock and my Watson, and having cats is truly a mood-booster. According to the "Lighten the Day" Study from ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ Lightweight, 95 percent of cat owners say their cats lighten their mood.

I got my first cat, Sherlock, when he was just a baby four years ago. He's been my pride and joy ever since, and a year later, I adopted Watson so he would have a pal. In our years together, I have come to lean on them in my times of sadness and celebrate with them when exciting things happen. They listen to all my gripes and don't judge me when I get a little crazy, and these past few months I have needed them more than ever. When my four-year relationship crumbled right before my eyes, I felt really lost and defeated. I found myself frequently turning to Sherlock and Watson to reason out my life and share my ideas. They obviously don't do much in the way of responding, but Sherlock has been known to rub his nose on mine as a sign of approval.

Knowing that these days I'm coming home to just my cats is becoming more of a comfort. Where I used to be stressed and forlorn about coming home to a virtually empty house, I now look forward to having a peaceful evening with my cats, which is right in line with 88 percent of people from ARM & HAMMER's survey, which includes results from more than 1,500 adults, who feel the same. Talking through my feelings post-breakup with my cats calms me down, because in the end, breakups are no fun, even when they're for the better. But the stress of them can lead to such things as high cholesterol and hypertension from the increase in cortisol production. Petting, cuddling, or interacting with your cat can help counteract that, according to Mieshelle Nagelschneider, cat behaviorist and author of The Cat Whisperer and spokesperson for ARM & HAMMER™. Those actions trigger "this feel-good brain chemical improving your mood and reducing stress," she says. "The outcome? A happier you with reduced stress and cortisol levels."

I'll soon be moving to a brand-new city where I know less than a handful of people, so that I can start fresh after this breakup, and frankly I'm terrified. But knowing that I have my cats by my side makes the stress a little more manageable. Right now is for reflection and focusing completely on myself, and like Nagelschneider said, my cats will keep my "heart from feeling completely broken" during this confusing time. They'll keep me company and be excited every time I walk through the door, and right now, that's the best thing I could ask for.

Source: Hedy Phillips