Cuteness is a superpower, but you already knew that. Ever try to resist? You could, but why? Being around cuteness feels so furry good, and it all starts in your head.
This is your brain on cuteDopamine is the happy hormone, while oxytocin is the bonding molecule, aka the molecute. :-) Both are released in the brain when we're around cute critters. Cuddling with a four legged friend raises those levels and strengthens the emotional bond between you and your pet.
Cuteness is good for your healthStudies confirm being around cute animals lowers your blood pressure, your heart rate and your anxiety. It improves your concentration and empathy. Plus it’s bona Fido fun.
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Binge 73 episodes of cutenessThere's a playful 6-season tv series of adorableness that I love called Too Cute. Follow a litter of kittens or puppies during their first few weeks of life. Witness first wobbly steps and first sniffs of the outside world. There are 73 episodes and the show definitely lives up to its name. Can you handle the cute?
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There's even a special word for itThe effect cuteness has on us is so special it has its own word: gigil, of Filipino origin. Gigil is the feeling that engulfs us when we see something scrumptiously cute. Overpoweringly joyous. Unbearably charming.... You get the idea.
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