Humans are always so envious of us kitties when they see us napping. And it’s true — we do have a special talent for making ourselves comfortable and falling asleep whenever we feel like it. You think we make relaxing look easy. The truth is, it is easy! It’s you humans who make it difficult. So I thought I would offer you three simple tips so you can relax like a cat.
Stretch
Your cat stretches frequently. In fact, we are almost as famous for stretching as we are napping. But humans don’t spend enough time stretching. That’s why you are all so tense. Because you’ve neglected stretching, your bodies have forgotten how to relax! So start stretching. All the time. Not just when you get up (although stretching when you wake up is important). All throughout the day, and especially if you haven’t moved for an hour. Stretching is a nice prelude to relaxing.
Breathe
Have you ever watched your cat breathing? She takes in full body breaths, and seems to relax even deeper with each inhale and exhale. It’s relaxing to watch. Learn to breathe like a cat — full body, taking in air from the tips of your toes, and full, slow exhales without forcing. In fact, one of the best and easiest ways to relieve stress or anxiety to take full deep breaths. Deep breathing, along with stretching, is something humans should do throughout the day, not just once in a while.
Feel Comfortable in Your Own Body
This one may be the most difficult for humans to grasp. Society and the media have done everything to make people not feel comfortable in their own bodies. With unrealistic standards and size judgments that get internalized, it’s easy to be unhappy with what you see in the mirror. We cats are lucky in that we’ve never had to deal with this. We accept ourselves as we are, whether we’re lean, round, or missing a limb. We don’t judge other cats for their appearances. In fact, we don’t judge people either for their looks. Feeling comfortable in your own body is one of the best things humans can do for themselves. Even though it will take something of an un-learning curve, work on it every day.
These three tips are the most important, and here’s one more bonus
Find a Comfortable Place to Relax
Cats can relax anywhere, but we usually prefer something comfortable and that offers a nice sun puddle to lie in. A cool plant bed is nice too. The bottom line is we pay attention to little details in our napping spots that help us to relax. You should too. But even if you can’t find the ideal place, if you follow the first three steps, you will be able to relax where ever you are.
Did you find these tips helpful? Let me know in the comments.
Other posts you’ll enjoy:
- Relaxing and Getting Interrupted
- Hotel Bed Time Story
- Five Surprising Lessons Humans Can Learn From Cats
2021 Somali Cat Wall Calendar, Starring Summer
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Summer, you are right on point. Humans are too tense, don’t know how to relax and often experience sleeping issues. I’ve always maintained that cats are superior to humans
Good advice Summer……..I always do a gigantic stretch when I first wake up but my Mom forgets to stretch her muscles so they are always tight. It’s part of relaxation but she hardly ever is relaxed! She plans to change that though – she’s having hip surgery in a couple of weeks and part of the physical therapy will be some stretching – AND after she’s totally healed she plans to take some yoga classes!!
Hugs, Teddy
Summer what excellent advice to those humans. Many just cannot stop for a second and be. We cats have it down to a science
You are practicing your Cat Therapy on us peeps, Summer!! And you know what?? It is great advice and *she* tries to do those things before she goes to her bed…it helps her turn off her had as she puts it.
Great tips and as a cat I can vouch for them. TW says every time she stretches she gets a charley horse somewhere. She’s old.
Mama wishes she has some kitty qualities, especially when it comes to sleeping. Occasionally she suffers from insomnia, poor thing.
Happy New Year!!!!
Oh yes. Summer, those were great napping tips! My dad is a master napper. Mom not so much. XO – Ava
I definitely envy how you kitties can sleep! Thanks for the tips!
Summer, I told my meowmy to read those so maybe she can relax like us kitties do.
Do you think she will try them? Hm….
This is great advice, Summer!
Summer…You are a…Pretty Cat!!
Kinda like YOGA!!
Great tips. I think I am a cat, I nap every day. 🙂
Excellent advice…I am going go go and practice right now!
Marv
I don’t know Summer, sometimes the kittens seem to relax in 1 step. They just flop down and relax like noodles.
Summer, I may find a comfy place to relax, but then Sweetie steps on top of me and I become HER comfy place to relax!
I will practice immediately sweet Summer!
These are SO purrfect for humans to follow! What a great idea for a post! We know our mom needs to follow these steps, that’s for sure!
Summer this was wonderful advice. I have always been very jealous of how our kitties could fall asleep in a nano second.
Hugs Cecilia
Funny about me..I’ll wake up several times in the night and I must make a mighty stretch each time. I do go back to sleep after a moment or two but those stretches feel so good when I do them. You would think I’d do them in the day time too but I don’t. Summer, you just reminded me to include that each day, throughout the day.
You look very relaxed. I stretch a lot and the other day when I woke up, hubby said I was stretching the way Flynn used to. I told him he must have taught me the right way to do it!
You make it sound….and look easy. Easy for you but
you are practiced. Good advice though . I really like
the picture and you do look very relaxed!