Animals are known to have a calming effect on the mind. Whether it be a pet cat or going to a field and watching the horses, being around animals encourages us to lower noise levels which in turn, calms the mind.
Spending time with a friendly animal can make you feel good – it seems to lower levels of stress hormones. As you pet your animal particularly notice the feel of their fur or skin against your fingers. Notice the shape of their ears, nose, eyes and mouth. What sounds do they make. Do they change? How do they move?
Did you know?
People with ASD and ADHD really benefit from the sensory experience of stroking an animal.
Here’s a thought – Does your dentist or GP have a fish tank in the waiting room? Lots of people say they feel calmer, more relaxed, and less stressed when they watch fish swimming, and there is some scientific evidence to back it up.
A study using a huge tank found that the more fish and marine life that were added, the happier viewers became. They found that heart rates and blood pressures dropped too.