Watching Cat Videos Can Boost Your Mood and Reduce Stress, Study Finds
A study conducted by Jessica Gall Myrick, an assistant professor at Indiana University’s Media School, surveyed nearly 7,000 participants and found that watching cat videos online can lead to increased energy levels and positive emotions, while decreasing negative feelings such as anxiety and sadness.
Participants reported that the enjoyment derived from watching cat videos often outweighed any guilt associated with procrastination. Many viewers indicated that even brief sessions of watching cat content provided a mental boost, helping them tackle subsequent tasks with renewed focus.
The study also noted that individuals who identified as shy or agreeable were more likely to watch cat videos, suggesting that personality traits may influence the appeal of such content.
Given the widespread popularity of cat videos on platforms like YouTube, with billions of views annually, these findings highlight the potential of online animal content as a simple and accessible means to enhance emotional well-being.
While further research is needed to explore the long-term effects, this study provides evidence that indulging in cat videos can be more than just a guilty pleasure—it may also serve as a quick mood enhancer in our daily lives.
