Writing this means exposing the crazy cat lady I have always been from a young age; this has resulted in not only our growth and development being recorded, but also the cat’s as well – carefully documenting my first cat Joseph as I was convinced he too grew as we were the same age.

Aside from the playful and attention-seeking boy, I didn’t comprehend until his passing just how much he helped me cope with the changes in life I experienced. Call me crazy, but a minute ball of fur was something I could vent out any emotion to knowing he would just listen and understand. That is why I couldn’t be without one for long and had to adopt Una – GCSE exam season was looming and I needed something to calm the anxieties associated with such a stressful period.

That’s why I want to share with you the “five ‘S’ acronym”, exhibiting the ways cats can benefit your life, even if they may seem trivial.

Stress

As a student, this point is the most crucial example of the benefits of owning a cat. Having walked through the door countless times exhausted, nothing recharges the batteries like sitting and stroking your cat; whether spending a couple of minutes or a whole night with them, it – speaking from experience – refreshes you.

It has been proven through multiple studies that it lowers your stress levels and, in fact, sharing a home with your furry friend reduces the risk of developing heart disease by 30%. It also triggers the release of chemicals which calm you after a hectic day.

“The sound of your cat’s purr can calm your nerves and lower your blood pressure.”

Sleep

Owning two clingy felines in my life has meant that I have grown used to sharing my bed with a cat. It can have it’s downfalls such as when they decide to take up the majority of the bed or when they wake you up in the middle of the night – why should you be asleep when your cat isn’t?

Yet I must admit despite these frustrating occurrences I wouldn’t (and couldn’t even if I wanted to) have it any other way; the calming nature of the purr and just having them there to pet means I have slept better and I’m not alone, 41% of people in a trial slept better due to their cat companion being there.

“Happiness is when my cat sleeps next to me.”

Smile

It is safe to say that the underlying message is one of enhancement – that is to say, make you happier. One point I have come to realise is that no cat is the same and their personality is idiosyncratic. Yet one fact that is rooted in common ground is their ability to improve our mood and even make us smile.

The thousands of cat videos online justify this point and I must say this: if you have never been positively impacted by them either in person or online, I sympathise for you as it could mean that you are (dare I say it?) a dog lover instead.

“It is impossible for a lover of cats to banish these alert, gentle, and discriminating friends, who give us just enough of their regard and complaisance to make us hunger for more.”

Self-sufficient

A universal fact about these curious little creatures is their ability to amuse themselves during the day. My own can be fixated on a ball of paper for hours and just as you believe her interest has dwindled, her pupils swiftly dilate at the sound of it crumpling.

This means not only does this benefit your social life, as you don’t have to worry about them not getting exercise or dying of boredom, but it also means that the cost is reduced as they don’t need to be taken care of during the day when you are working.

On the topic of money, cats are also notorious for, when given a boxed present, favouring the wrapping over the expensive object inside. I myself have been a victim of such events many times now; yet the silver lining under such a tale is that adult cats don’t need amusing with as many toys as a dog would. They instead only need to discover a funny looking stick or blade of grass to excite them.

“Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food and water and shelter and affection, they will think you are God. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realise that, if you provide them with food and water and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are God.”

Social

I’m afraid ladies this only applies to the gents reading this – sorry. This final fact is one that took me by surprise as I didn’t acknowledge just how influential cats are in finding a partner.

90% of women found that men who owned a cat were more pleasant than those who didn’t, according to a study. It seems as if these furry friends aren’t just companionship for you but also responsible for future companionship – that explains why these calculating cupids think so highly of themselves.

“All you need is love and a cat.”