Your Stress and Your Cats

MANAGING YOUR STRESS AND YOUR PETS

© Stan Popovich – All Rights Reserved

Everybody deals with stress and anxiety, however some people sometimes take it out on their pets. Instead of taking your problems and frustrations out on your pets or other animals, here is a list of techniques that a person can use to help manage their stress, anxieties, and fears.

When facing a current or upcoming task that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, the first thing you can do is to break the task into a series of smaller steps. For example, changing careers can be a stressful situation. In order to help manage this task, try to divide this goal into a series of smaller steps and do each of these tasks one at a time. For instance, the first thing a person can do is to develop a resume and then find those companies where you would like to work. Once you mail your resume, you can then focus on the interviewing process. Completing these smaller tasks one at a time will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.

Sometimes, we get stressed when everything happens all at once. Instead of taking it out on your pets, a person should take a deep breathe and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get your mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. This mental timeout can help you refocus on your current situation.

In dealing with your anxieties, a person should learn to take it one day at a time. Instead of focusing on exaggerated assumptions that may or may not happen, focus on the present and take it one day at a time.

Sometimes, it helps to be able to talk to someone about our stressful situations. Talking to a trusted friend, counselor, or clergyman can not only make us feel better, but they might be able to give you additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. This is a lot more effective than yelling at your dog or cat.

It is not easy to deal with our stressful problems, however taking our frustrations out on your pets or other people will not make the problem go away. When things are not going right, try to remember to treat your pet as the way you would want to be treated.

BIOGRAPHY:

Stanley Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods” - an easy to read book on how to manage your persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/mvStanPopovich.html
Or Email the author at lonestar_9780 @ yahoo.com

I needed this. Right now it's pack a box, pet a cat, throw out stuff, play with a cat; pack another box, go find cat that's hidden under the bed and give cat treats :)

Thanks

Actually I find my cats are great stress relievers, I never take my fustrations out on them, they help to clam me down and seem to know when I need their love more than other times.

My cats are great stress relievers, too. We had Angel as a tiny kitten when 9/11 happened, and it was a relief to come home and play with her and tune out all the evil in the world in the process. The little kittens are so innocent, and cute and playful

Now with Shadow it's the same thing. If/when things are going badly, it is nice to be able to play with him, and watch him, and just forget about all of the stressors out there, just for a little while.

The main thing,is not,to get angry,with the Cats,you are right.The Cats,didnt amke the Computer crash,and didnt cause,the bad things,that happened,to me,Today.and when you,are tense,they cah get,on your nerves,but you have to remember,that they are Cats,and not bothering you,on purpose!

Hello, StanPopovich! I enjoyed your piece on stress and it hit home. We're coming off of four devastating years during which anything that could go wrong did. It was my kitty, Groucho, that helped make things easier. Holding him, playing with him, talking to him, and his greeting at the door when I'd get home made everything okay at least for awhile. During this time, our situation got the better of me and I had to enter a treatment program for severe depression and anxiety. One morning we spent an entire group session talking about the positive role that pets play in recovery. Those of us with pets openly talked about how important they are to us and how their unconditional love sustained us through the worst we had to face. At the end of the session, a member of the group said she was thinking about adopting a pet and after listening to our stories, she decided to go to the local shelter when our day was over. Pets are very sensitive to how we feel and really try to help us feel better. Sure, they can get on our nerves at times but they're only doing what pets do. Please, from someone who has been there, continue to help folks dealing with stress and everything that can go with it to love their pets and accept their therapeutic value. I don't know how I would have fared if it wasn't for my sweet little Groucho.