Reduce YOUR Anxiety with Your Pet
When we feel overwhelmed, a common technique used to reduce anxiety is called grounding. Engaging our senses can help us get out of our head and back into our body. Here is a step by step relaxation exercise you can use with your fur baby.
Be sure to pay attention to your pets needs as you go through this practice.
If they do not feel up for relaxing with you today try again another time. You want it to be a positive experience for them as well.
You can offer your pet a treat as you begin this practice.
Come up with a word to associate this practice such as “Calm Time.”
Set aside at least 5 minutes to do the following steps.
Take as long as you would like for each step.
If your pet allows it, put them on your lap or chest.
Sit for a moment and notice the added weight on your body.
Notice how your body feels in the space you are sitting or lying.
Feel your back against the couch or bed.
Feel how your bottom feels against the cushion.
If your feet are on the floor pay attention to the texture of the floor.
If you are lying in bed what do the sheets feel like?
Pet their fur.
What is the texture of their fur against your fingers?
Is it long, fluffy, and smooth or short and coarse?
How is your pet feeling as you pet them?
Do they like being pet?
If you have a cat, are they purring?
What facial expressions are they making as you touch them?
Look at their paws.
What do you notice?
How do their pads feel?
Notice how the texture is different compared to their fur. What do their feet smell like?
What do their nails look like?
Are they sharp or dull?
Right about now they are probably getting upset with you touching their feet so let’s move on.
Touch their ears.
How did their fur on their body feel different?
Are their ears softer?
Are they also upset with you for touching their ears? (Let’s move on then)
What does their nose feel like?
Is it wet or dry?
Do they have any whiskers on their face? What do they feel like?
Smell their fur.
What do they smell like? Do they smell like shampoo? Do they need a bath?
What is their breath like?
Could they use a breath mint?
If they give you kisses what does that feel like?
How does their tongue feel against your skin?
How wet is it? Is their tongue rough or smooth?
Feel free to repeat any of the above steps. Sit as long as you need or as long as your pet will allow you.
As you end your session, be sure to reinforce and show appreciation to your pet for allowing you to relax with them.
Hopefully this becomes an enjoyable experience for your pet as well as you. Next time your dog or cat paws your leg, they may be letting you know that it’s time to stop and relax with them.
Dr. Christine Henry is a licensed psychologist and an animal lover. She specializes in working with other “Pet People” who are working through past trauma, grief, religious trauma and are neurodivergent or highly sensitive people. To see how Dr. Henry may help you in your therapy journey click to schedule a free consultation.