Watching Cat Videos May Be Good for Your Health After All
Don’t fret if you spend your days watching videos of cats and other cute animals online. A new series of studies has confirmed that doing so may be better for you than you realize.
In one study from Taylor and Francis Group, researchers handed out questionnaires to participants asking them to relive moments of social rejection from their lives. Afterwards, some of the volunteers were shown photos of cats, dogs, and other animals, while others were shown images of people. The studies found that those shown the photos of the animals felt better and reported fewer feelings of rejection.
A press release touting the results explained how the study actually worked:
“In three separate studies, participants were asked to relive past experiences of social rejection. After this, they were then asked to name photographed animals and their feelings were analyzed again. Participants who thought of names for animals reported less negative emotions and feelings of rejection than those who did not. Thinking about naming a human did not produce the same effect; with the study showcasing evidence that thoughts about a pet can provide a soothing stimulus for humans.”
Christina M. Brown, the lead author of the study, postulated from the results that even the slightest exposure to animals, including watching viral videos, could be helpful, saying, “Those who are more predisposed to attribute entities with human like-characteristics would benefit from even the most minimal engagement with animals.”
So, you’re welcome. Next time someone ridicules you for watching cat videos, you can now tell them it’s doctor recommended.
You didn’t think you were getting out of here without a viral video, now did you?
