AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO OWN A DOG OR CAT . . .

■ A study of patients waiting in dentists’ surgeries found that watching fish swim around in an aquarium is as effective at reducing stress as hypnosis!

■ In the same way, talking to a pet bird can also help, as does listening to them sing. In fact, birdsong has been shown to relax people physically while stimulating them cognitively. Some institutions use it professionally.

For example, a lounge at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol plays bird songs to help travellers relax before flights.