My cat Jenocik isn’t a great thinker, but that doesn’t disqualify him from being a good mentor.
I often feel overwhelmed when managing my work duties, artistic pursuits, chronic illness, and everyday responsibilities. On busy days, observing my cat helps me feel grounded: he’s unbothered. In his lane. Thriving. My cat’s behavior is a reminder that supporting one’s wellbeing can be simple—no need for pricey SPA retreats.
Below is a list of 7 uncomplicated ways to help improve your wellbeing, brought straight from my cat.
Prioritize rest no matter what
Easier said than done, right? But the truth is: you must prioritize your rest. Your body and your mind need it.
Cats sleep around 16 hours daily. They don’t care about human inventions such as clocks, schedules, and timetables. Their bodies tell them when it’s time for a nap. Do you listen to your body when it tells you it’s time for a nap? I usually don’t. However, ignoring the signals our bodies send can harm us. Scientists have been studying links between mental and physical health for decades, and recent research has shown that experiencing significant life stressors is associated with an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases.
Resting isn’t lazy. It’s a necessity. You need rest to let your body and mind unwind. Take a nap, go for a walk, attend a yoga class, chill while getting your nails done—whatever floats your boat. When it’s your time to unwind, don’t let others interrupt it. Tell your loved ones that you need to rest. If they think it’s lazy or selfish, that’s a problem with their mindset, not yours.
Stop settling for less than you deserve
My cat is a picky creature. Jenocik knows what he wants, and he demands it right away. Food! Treats! Play time! He doesn’t give a meow that I have other things to do besides being his servant. He does not accept half-hearted efforts, and rightly so: it’s his right to demand the things he deserves.
His behaviour is a good reminder that I should demand that, too. For years, I’ve accepted things I didn’t like because I didn’t want to appear difficult. I attended dinners at restaurants with zero vegan options, resulting in me ordering the only salad on the menu and starving. I kept birthday presents I received just because they were gifts, even if I secretly hated them. I pretended to be fine with everything, so how could people around me know that I wasn’t?
Enough of that. As one of my favourite film characters Maxine Minx says: I will not accept a life I do not deserve. And you shouldn’t, too!
Catch sun rays whenever you can
My cat Jenocik loves napping in sunny spots. He’s passionate about sun rays, and he moves around strategically to always bask in their warmth. It’s a simple pleasure that both cats and humans can enjoy.
Personally, I’m not a fan of sunbathing; my pale skin is prone to sunburn, so I must avoid direct exposure in the summer months. But give me a sunny autumn or winter day, and I’ll move heaven and earth to feel the sun on my face during a walk or while sitting on my balcony.
Research confirms what cats know instinctively: sunlight has a positive effect on health. Exposure to sunlight is required to synthesize Vitamin D, which, in turn, helps to regulate enzymes and receptors located in human brains. Additionally, lack of daylight can have a detrimental influence on mental health. Cats clearly know what’s going on.
Enjoy the outdoors safely
Exploring the outside world is one of Jenocik’s favourite activities. But he keeps a safe distance from its dangers via a safety net that turned my balcony into a fancy catio. I’m a firm believer of keeping cats safely indoors, as I’ve heard way too many stories of felines getting themselves in trouble when let free.
Being outdoors and surrounded by nature does wonders to our minds. But it’s important to be mindful of risks that are out there: the elements, wild animals, and unexpected situations. Bring sunscreen, drinking water, and a bug repellant on your escapades. Check local weather warnings. Learn how to proceed if you encounter wild animals. Being adventurous is romanticized but in reality, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Treat yourself each day
Jenocik is obsessed with treats. Not a day goes by without him pretending that he’s never had one. By definition, treats are pleasures that cats—and humans—don’t receive too often. They’re something we look forward to: a delicious meal, a not-very-healthy snack, a luxurious purchase.
I think you should treat yourself every day, as long as you scale the treats to your budget and your circumstances. In my case, daily treats often include fresh or frozen fruit, a cup of my favourite tea or coffee, a 30-minute time slot for book reading, or a nap. They’re daily reminders that I can find something to enjoy even on stressful and unpleasant days.
Get some time to yourself
Everybody needs alone time, and everyone deserves to get it. Cats understand that. Jenocik loves accompanying me when I work, read, or sleep. But he needs some time alone, too—he’ll go for his sunbathing session on the catio or curl up on the sofa to have some me time. Cats are good at setting and enforcing personal boundaries. Humans? Not so much.
It’s quite easy to have time to yourself when you live alone. It gets much more complicated when you live with others—and infinitely more complicated when others depend on you. But your needs matter. You need solitude to pause and reflect, to find balance, to be yourself, to work on achieving your personal goals. And all the people in your life must learn to accept that.
Make your surroundings cozy
What are your visual associations with the words “cozy”? Mine feature fluffy blankets, plush cushions, ceramic mugs filled with hot drinks, and thick books stacked on every available surface. It’s likely that your vision features similar elements, maybe with an additional dose of candlelights, house plants, fresh flowers, and pleasant smells. All these elements are known to increase cozyness.
Cats love cozy spaces. Jenocik loves laying on fuzzy blankets and freshly-dried bedsheets, and he always chooses the sofa or my bed for the night as the ultimate comfy spots. He doesn’t care that blankets are magnets for dust particles and that I have to wash bedsheets twice as often to get rid of his fur. Keeping our living space cozy may require extra cycles of the washing machine, but it keeps both of us comfortable and happy.
Takeaway
If you ever feel tempted to listen to a celebrity wellness guru trying to sell you a four-week meditation retreat in Goa, pause and consider: would any cat choose it over a nap in the sun?
The tips I presented here will not transform your life in 24 hours. They will also not cure anyone’s depression. They’re just a reminder that improving one’s wellbeing can start right here, right now. Small steps count. Don’t fall for thinking that changing your life requires dramatic gestures.
If you enjoyed reading this article, feel free to comment on your favourites. Maybe you’re also owned by a cat who serves as your lifestyle coach?
Bibliography
- Bálint A., Reicher V., Csibra B., Gácsi M., Noninvasive EEG measurement of sleep in the family cat and comparison with the dog, Journal of Mammalogy, Volume 105, Issue 2, April 2024, Pages 300–311, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyad122
- Song H, Fang F, Tomasson G, et al. Association of Stress-Related Disorders With Subsequent Autoimmune Disease. JAMA. 2018;319(23):2388–2400. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.7028
- Bertani D.E., De Novellis A.M.P., Farina R., Latella E., Meloni M., Scala C., Valeo L., Galeazzi G.M., Ferrari S., Shedding Light on Light: A Review on the Effects on Mental Health of Exposure to Optical Radiation. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 9;18(4):1670. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041670