Most of us aren’t strangers to the fatigue and stress of the last few weeks of the semester. Studying feels exhausting, deadlines seem intimidating to tackle and all you want to do is relax. Luckily for you, there is an opportunity to do just that, as well as boost your mood and motivation, only a short drive from Andrews University.
The Cat Lady Café in South Bend, Indiana, provides a small haven for both animal lovers and students. The café is the perfect place for people who need a study break, stress relief or just some quality time with adorable rescue cats, combining the cozy ambiance of a coffee shop with the chance to interact with friendly cats. The menu also has a delicious selection of coffees, teas, and snacks, including vegan options as well.
Spending time with the cats, while fun, also has the added bonus of alleviating stress symptoms. According to the National Institutes of Health, spending time with animals “has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Other studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood.” Another study by Cornell University states that “university students (who are notoriously stressed) as subjects found that petting cats and dogs for 10 minutes decreased the amount of cortisol (a stress hormone) in their saliva.” In short, spending time at the Cat Lady Café isn’t just an opportunity to have fun but can also counter the effects of stress.
Furthermore, the Cat Lady Café is a business with a mission to provide rescue cats with forever homes through its collaboration with nearby shelters. The café offers a safe and social setting where rescue cats can engage with visitors and possibly get to know their future forever homes. Instead of the usual stressful shelter setting, this arrangement enables prospective owners to meet the cats in a relaxed and comfortable setting.
The café operates on a reservation-based system, providing one-hour slots for $11 each online. So, the next time you need a break from campus life, consider swapping out your usual coffee shop for one with a little more purr-sonality and paws-itivity.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.