How to deal with your nervous Nellie
It’s not just humans who are prone to stressing out
As we all treat our pets like any other beloved family member, their sudden distant or drained behaviour can really knock us for six. “A stressed-out pet can cause havoc in the household, and it’s certainly not fun for our furry family member either,” says Sydney-based life strategist and animal communicator Simonne Lee. Here, she tells us what we can do to calm our cute companions.
ASSESS YOUR OWN STRESS LEVELS
If you’re more anxious than usual, try taking a few deep breaths to help move yourself into a calmer state – it will guide more restful energy towards your pet. Taking the time to breathe deeply and slowly into your navel, and exhaling eight times, can relax your entire body. Then watch the magic unfold between you and your furry friend.
PLAY CALMING MUSIC
Music has the same effect on our pets as it does with us. Playing relaxing, calming or even classical tunes is great for animals. I also use Pet Hypnosis downloads that I’ve created for
animals (visit simonnelee. com) that don’t like being h home alone, or find it difficult to settle down at sleep time. Getting them to relax and comfort themselves is key here.
START A ROUTINE
Animals love routine because it lets them know what to expect. A change in regimen can quite easily trigger stress in them. That’s not to say that you can’t change yours, or their day-today activities – it’s just about preparing them for change. To do this, get into a calm state by taking a couple of deep breaths and settling your energy. Write down in point form what’s changing and when. Once you’re relaxed, look at your pet or imagine them in your mind and slowly tell them what you’ve written down. I would start off with one to three points initially. You may need to repeat this exercise a few times to get the knack of it.
INCORPORATE EXERCISE
Whether you have a dog or a cat, exercise is a great way for your pet to release any stressful energy. For your canines, it’s easier to take them for a walk
or run and play in the park. For felines, you have to be a little more creative and patient by enticing them to play more and move their bodies. There are lots of toys for cats that provide interaction with their owners and even better,
they don’t cost much. Take a scrunched up paper bag and play soccer with your cat, or tie a long piece of string to one of your belt loops and do your daily chores around the home while they chase the string behind you.