Pet Project: How Furry Friends Fend Off Stress

Out of the Box Advisors
Jun 26, 2020
2 min read

Updated: Mar 23, 2023

You know the feeling you get when you’ve had an absolute trash of a day? Spilled your coffee onto your freshly finished financial report… forgot to call a client back and may have missed a huge opportunity... had it out with your partner about a big decision and now your stomach feels like it’s eating itself with piranha teeth? One of those days that kinda thrashes you around by your collar and just plops you down in a heap of unwashed gym clothes?

Yep. Those days. Want to know what can instantly fix those days? Faster, and WAY more satisfying, than a jaunt through the drive-thru or quick drink(s) at the bar?

A dog with a bandana with its tongue hanging out walking down a leaf covered path during the fall — Who's a good boy?

A relaxing petting session with your pet. Yep. Your pet. That tried and true furry companion who’s seen you at your worst, and doesn’t judge. (Well, dogs don’t judge, cats kind of always judge. But in a loving way. Like your Mom.)

"My cats are always judging me." -Ryan, Owner

a cat cuddled up and sleeping next to his best friend dog — Best friends!

Science has shown that just petting an animal for a few minutes lowers your blood pressure by multiple points. It lowers your cortisol levels and ramps up serotonin production to create a truly relaxing moment. Here's an article from People to read up on one of these studies:

Study Finds You Can 'Pet Your Stress Away' By Cuddling Cats and Dogs

Here is the actual study if you want to get technical with it:

WSU Study

Don’t have a pet?

kitty with its paw pressed up against its owners hand like a high five — Kitty High Fives are the Best!

Adopt one. Shelters are teeming with pets just waiting to show you the love. Why not rescue them so that they can help rescue you from the stress of your life.

If you're in the Charlotte area, a great place to start is the Charlotte Humane Society!

We are especially partial to the Friends for Life Rescue Network. We follow many of them on Insta!

How adorable is the picture for this section, by the way?

Can't Adopt?

sad looking collie looking at the camera through a wire fence. — Sad Eyes Hits the Heart

If for whatever reason you can't adopt a furry friend of your own, then try volunteering at a local shelter.

Pet Cuddler and Puppy Petter are real things. Truly. Give them some much needed love and they ease your tension. Win-win.

Or if its the time commitment limiting you, don't forget you can donate!

Borrow one!

A bunch of dogs in a room with a few people at an adoption event — Ahhhhh!

Yes, seriously. Offer to pet sit a friend’s pet. Maybe even make it a side gig? Eh eh? Relaxation + extra cash?

Or maybe have your next meeting at your local Cat Cafe? We love the Mac Tabby Cat Cafe in the NoDa area of Charlotte, NC ourselves!

Can you imagine? Working remote from a cat cafe. How in the world could you ever be stressed with cute kittens running around while you work!

Like most things in life, the simpler the better when it comes to finding joy and easing tension. And the peace we get from sharing our lives with those furries is no different. Enrich your life, ease your stress and be happier again, for pet’s sake.

As small business coaches, we excel at helping business owners at finding ways to live a happier and less stress filled life. Let us help you too!

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