Being a celebrity may look glamorous, but let’s not pretend it’s all red carpets and private jets. Between film sets, press junkets and public scrutiny, the stress can be overwhelming. So how do stars unwind?
Some meditate. Some juice. Some book $400 massages. But the most adorable new method? Kitten therapy.
Yes, actual kittens. Tiny, fuzzy, purring bundles of joy. The kind that instantly melts your brain into calm.
It’s simple: spend some time petting or playing with a kitten (or a few), and your stress levels naturally drop. It might sound silly, but there’s real science behind it. Animal-assisted therapy has been used in hospitals and PTSD programs for years; and it works. It lowers anxiety, blood pressure, and even boosts mood by triggering the release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin.
And the benefits go both ways.
In places like Santa Barbara, cafés have started offering walk-in kitten therapy sessions. You show up, sip your coffee, and snuggle a rescue cat. No appointments, no pressure. Just fur and good vibes. Even better? Many of these cats are adoptable. So if you fall in love, you can take your new stress reliever home permanently.
Over 100 cats were adopted in the last year from just one café alone.
Hospitals are getting in on it too. Some even have trained therapy dogs waiting at the entrance, available to pet by patients, visitors, and staff alike. One scratch behind the ear, and your heart rate starts to settle.
Of course, kittens aren’t the only option. Dogs, rabbits, even mini horses, have been used in various wellness programs. But there’s something about a kitten’s quiet purr, playful energy, and feather-light paws that makes them particularly effective at soothing frazzled nerves.
So if you’re feeling the pressure, celebrity or not, maybe the answer isn’t another juice cleanse. Maybe it’s just a little furball with a tiny meow.
