Cats are the most incredible creatures on Earth. And not to mention the cutest! I know that most of you will probably disagree with me and say that cats are evil, two-timing and cannot be trusted, but before you lash out on me, hear me out.

Yes, it is true that a cat can never be truly tamed. Compared to the devoted and needy dogs, cats are pretty unconcerned with human affairs. And yes, it is also true that owning a cat will probably result in more scratches than owning a dog, but there is something special about these extraordinary creatures that only cat lovers know.

Despite all of your efforts to convince everyone that cats are the devil, many studies and researches have actually proven that cats are indeed extraordinary, but what’s even more important is that they also have a big impact on our overall wellbeing.

So, in honor of yesterday’s international cat day, we decided to make a list of all the pros of owning a cat. Here are 10 reasons why owning a cat is beneficial to both your mental and your physical health:

1. Owning a cat can lower your stress levels. Having these furry friends around you and petting them on a daily basis can have a significant effect on your wellbeing, especially on your stress levels. Being around cats triggers the release of the love (bonding) hormone, called oxytocin. Feeling their soft fur on your skin and listening to them purr can do wonders.

2. Their purring has therapeutic and healing power. This is definitely the most adorable sound in the world. I doubt there’s anything cuter than this. However, despite the fact that it means your cat is happy, this sound also has a therapeutic and healing power, especially when it comes to human bones and muscles. A cat purr creates vibrations at a frequency of 20-140 HZ. And according to studies, frequencies in the 18-53 HZ range has the best effect on people’s wellbeing overall.

I mean who can resist a purring little cat sitting in your lap and making that repetitive movement with their cute little paws?

3. Having a pet cat will help you sleep better and calmer. Several types of research and polls have found that people, particularly women prefer to sleep with their pet than with another person. They’ve also discovered that sleeping next to your pet is more comforting than sleeping next to your partner.

4. Being a cat lover means lowering the possibility of getting allergies. I don’t know if you knew, but according to the National Institutes of Health, high pet exposure early in life can protect children not only from pet allergies but also from other types such as ragweed, dust mites, and grass. It might be too late for you, but if you have a baby on the way, you may rethink this whole idea about adopting a kitty cat.

5. They can pick up on how you are feeling and alleviate your pain. I know, cats’ responses are always subtle, so it may take you too long to discover their EQ’. But you should know that even though cats seem like they don’t care about you, they are truly sensitive to human emotions. In fact, science already proved it. Moriah Galvan and Jennifer Vonk of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, US studied 12 cats and their owners. And they found that cats behaved quite different when their owners were smiling compared to when they were nervous.  

6. Cats provide great companionship. Cats may be known for their independence but having them as a pet sure does eliminates all feelings of loneliness. Ben there, done that. Trust me. There is nothing more pleasing than having your kitty cat welcome you from work.

7. Owning a cat decrease risk of heart disease and heart attacks. According to researchers, by more than a third! Can you imagine? The study analyzed 4,435 adults aged between 30 and 75. Half of them owned a cat, the other half didn’t. Guess what? The findings showed that approximately 3.4 percent of the cat owners died from a heart attack. In comparison, the heart attack rate among the people who never owned a cat was 5.8 percent.

8. Being surrounded by cats will help you cope with the pain of losing a loved one. Despite the fact that they are just animals, as I previously said, it’s been proved that cats understand and feel our emotions. As a result, they’ve been shown to help people overcome the pain of losing someone. No matter how crazy it sounds, people in mourning have confirmed that talking to their pets help them work out their feelings.

9. Owning a cat is better for the environment. Did you know that having a dog creates the same carbon footprint as that of a Land Cruiser? Yep, it’s true. This, in fact, makes owning a cat much eco-friendlier, since they eat less, and they are more likely to eat fish than corn or beef-flavored foods. Think about it.

10. Owning a cat increases sociability. It’s simple. Positive feelings about dogs and cats trigger positive feelings about engaging in relationships with people. Having a cat as your pet can enhance one’s ability to socialize with other people. Research has found that cat owners are actually much more social and trust people more than the people who have no pets.

So, there you have it.

Have we managed to convince you that cats are not evil and two-timing, or you need more proof?

Looking for a job that gives more than it takes? Look no further. Here are 7 meaningful jobs that are more rewarding than their big salaries.

Approximately 53 percent of Americans currently feel unhappy or unsatisfied with their jobs. 

Are you part of this group? Are you worried that you might become part of it if you don’t find a job that gives you a sense of purpose?

Doing work that allows you to help others is a great way to feel better and more satisfied with your job.

If you’re considering a career switch, or if you want to choose a career that feeds your soul and not just your bank account, these seven meaningful jobs are great ones to consider.

1. Education Administrators

Most people who have careers in education report high levels of job satisfaction and find a lot of meaning in their work. Some educational careers appear to be more meaningful than others, though.

Those who work their way up to the administration side of the education field consider their work to be very meaningful. They also find that their work helps them to make the world a better place.

Education administrators working at the elementary and second school levels seem to find the most meaning in their jobs. A smaller (although still significant) percentage of postsecondary education administrators have the same feeling.

In order to work as an education administrator, you’ll need to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an education-related subject. You may also want to consider going on to pursue a doctorate.

2. Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are responsible for providing counseling to and writing prescriptions for individuals struggling with mental health disorders.

In many cases, psychiatrists give these people the help they need to change and improve their quality of life. It’s one of the most rewarding careers out there (and the pay isn’t bad, either).

As a psychiatrist, you will spend your day listening to and offering support to individuals dealing with a wide array of symptoms. It can be a draining job in some ways, but it’s also very rewarding to be able to help people start to feel better and making needed changes in their lives.

To work as a psychiatrist, you’ll need to pursue a medical degree and complete your residency like other medical professionals. It’s a long career path, but the outcome is often well worth the wait.

3. Chiropractors

Another meaningful career option in the medical field is a career as a chiropractor. Chiropractors manually adjust the spine in order to help patients feel relief from chronic pain.

Chiropractors can also help with other health problems, such as allergies, headaches, anxiety, and sports injuries. Being able to help people feel better and exist without pain is very meaningful and provides a great deal of satisfaction to most chiropractors.

Chiropractors must obtain a medical degree just like other doctors. They actually spend more time in school that medical doctors do. 

If you’re willing to put in the time to receive your training, working as a chiropractor can help you feel very fulfilled in your career.

4. Rehabilitation Counselors

Rehabilitation counselors work with individuals struggling with addiction. They help these people overcome their addictions and change their behavior patterns so they can live sober and productive lives.

This kind of work certainly comes with a lot of challenges. It comes with a lot of rewards as well, though. There are few feelings as significant as seeing someone turn their life around and stop using the substances that were harming them and others.

Most rehabilitation counselors have a master’s degree. Some are also able to find work with a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field.

5. Kindergarten Teachers

You already know that careers in education are rewarding. You don’t always have to pursue a master’s degree in order to experience those rewards, though.

Of all the educational careers that provide a lot of meaning and fulfillment to a person’s life, working as a kindergarten teacher comes in at the top of the list. Getting to help shape young children’s lives and start their educational experience off on the right foot is a great opportunity. 

Kindergarten teachers must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in order to teach. Many go on to pursue master’s degrees eventually, though.

6. Surgeons

Surgeons regularly report experiencing high levels of job satisfaction. When you consider the often life-saving work that they do each day, this makes perfect sense.

Of course, being a surgeon isn’t easy, either. You face a lot of challenges when operating on the human body. Overcoming these challenges and finding ways to save your patient is very rewarding, though.

It takes a lot of hard work to become a surgeon. You’ll need to be in school for a very long time before you can work on your own. However, the lessons you’ll learn along the way (and continue to learn as you begin your career) are well worth the wait. 

7. Home Care Aides

Home care aides are individuals who are trained to help seniors and others who may be struggling with long-term health problems. Home care aides spend time in the home with these individuals on a regular basis helping them carry out various activities.

Some home care aides are trained to administer medicine and help with physical and occupational therapy-related tasks. Others help with everyday activities like eating, using the bathroom, and getting dressed.

Home care aides also often provide companionship and spend time communicating with seniors or those who are homebound for much of the day.

This is a very rewarding job that doesn’t require a lot of training or education. It’s a good option for those who want to feel fulfilled in their careers but don’t have the time or means necessary for long-term schooling.

Learn More About These Meaningful Jobs Today

As you can see, there are lots of meaningful jobs out there that will allow you to do what you love, make people’s days better, and get paid. What better combination is there?

Are you interested in learning more about any of these jobs? Have you found one that seems like something you want to pursue?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, check the Self-Improvement section of our site today.

You’ll find lots of helpful articles here that will teach you the skills you need to land the job of your dreams!

Do you know how to make the most of a storage unit? Use these storage unit tips to maximize your space and get easy access to your items in storage.

Did you know that the average household in the U.S. has 300,000 items in it? It’s no wonder then that despite the fact that the average home has also tripled in size, we’re still running out of space.

As a result, storage unit use is becoming more popular, especially for seasonal items like patio furniture or holiday decorations.

The bigger the unit you rent, the more expensive it will be. To save money, follow these storage unit tips to get the most out of your available space.

1. Organize and Label

To make it easy to find things in your storage units, meticulously organize your boxes. Store like items together, or things that you will use at the same time. For example, pool toys can go with grilling supplies since you’ll be using them both in the summer.

Clearly label each box to help you remember where everything is. Better yet, buy clear plastic tubs so you can see what is inside.

2. Make a Master List

If you want to win the organization prize (and find stuff with ease), make a master list. Write down every item that goes into each box and number the boxes. When you need to find one item, all you’ll have to do is consult your list and find the correct numbered box.  

3. Use the Same Size Box

As much a possible, use the same size box throughout your unit. It will be easier to neatly stack and organize when you don’t have to play Tetris with the boxes.

Depending on what you’re storing, stick to small or medium size boxes. Large boxes are great for large items, but they won’t hold up well at the bottom of a stack of heavy items. 

4. Brick Wall the Boxes

Another benefit to using the same size box is that you can create a brick wall pattern when stacking them.

This a sturdier method of stacking. It’s less likely that your stack will fall over, meaning you can go a little higher. Plus, more weight goes on the sides of the boxes, which is the strongest part.

The best benefit, however, is that when you want to access a box, you don’t have to remove all the ones on top of it first. Simply select the box you want, slide it out and back in when you’re done.

5. Shelving

If you have many heavy items, you may want to opt for some shelving. Freestanding shelves are great because the company may not allow you to attach shelves to the wall.

Shelves allow you to stack everything up as high as you like without worrying about crushing the items on the bottom. Plus, you can easily access every box from top to bottom.

Choose adjustable shelves so you can make the shelf height just barely higher than the boxes to maximize your available space.

Storage Unit Tips to the Rescue

You may have been wondering how you were going to get all the stuff you wanted to store into the unit you rented.

If you have a ton of stuff, you may have to break down and rent a larger unit. But in many cases, following these storage unit tips will free up enough extra space that everything will fit.

Looking for more life advice? Feel free to check out our blog, we have tons of content on everything from romance to health.

A refreshing dip in the pool or sea is the best way to stay cool in the heat. But, the water can be extremely dangerous, especially for kids and those that don’t know how to swim.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury death all over the world. One reason why drowning is so dangerous is that its signs are not always obvious.

When movies show a person who is drowning, they usually portray the victim splashing violently in the water and screaming for help.

However, in reality, chances are that you would not be able to tell if a child or an adult is drowning or just playing in the water. Because when a person starts drowning, they can no longer shout, call for help, or control their body.

So, before you head to the beach or pool this summer, make sure you familiarize yourself with the signs of drowning and how you can stay safe in the water.

Here’s How to Recognize a Person That Is Drowning

– They’re vertical in the water and they’re trying to keep their head above the water so that they can breathe. 

– They bob up and down as they gasp for air.

– Their arms may extend partially or remain in the water.

– They often have their eyes covered with hair.

– They move their body in a way which makes them look like they are climbing a ladder.

– Their eyes are usually closed, but if they’re open, they are unfocused.

How to Stay Safe in the Water

1. First things first, learn how to swim.

Every person that goes into a pool, river, lake, sea, or ocean must know how to swim.

2. Don’t swim alone.

If you know you’re not that good swimmer, make sure you always swim with a friend or any other person that will keep you safe from danger.

3. Swim in areas where a lifeguard is present.

4. Know your limits.

If you notice you feel cold or exhausted or that you are out too far, that means it is time for you to come out of the water.

5. Last but not least, never swim after you’ve been drinking!