If we had to choose what to fill our time with, many of us would most likely choose the relaxing and joy-inducing activity of watching animals causing an adorable ruckus. They provide a much-welcomed escape from staring at a colored slab all day, be it your laptop screen, the TV, or the ever-stimulating phone. 

Besides, these cuties are very shareable. Be it friends, family, or coworkers that you still tolerate, everyone benefits from seeing a lion snuggling inside a cardboard box or a tiny turtle munching on a leaf whilst judging everyone else’s life choices. Hey, if I could’ve chosen, being a human in the 21st century wouldn’t have been top of the list! 

Not only are animals entertaining, but they’re also good for our health! Yeah, no kidding! Studies have shown that interacting with animals (even fish!) helps lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and decrease depression. Furthermore, they help create a sense of calm and comfort; truly, can anything be wrong in the world when a panda is rolling down a hill? 

The effect is further amplified when the animal is doing something surprising or unexpected. Psychologically, the surprise appearance of a cute furry friend causes a cognitive orienting response. In the case of animals, it’s a pleasant surprise and the unexpected pleasure of seeing something funny when we were expecting something more mundane that triggers a positive response (in this case smiling or even laughing). 

“There is no doubt there is a short-term burst of happiness,” explains University of Victoria neuroscientist Olav Krigolson. “That should lead to better cognitive function for the short term. Staring at cute things activates the amygdala [an area of the brain that deals with emotions] and other emotional areas of the brain, which ramps up other cognitive systems.” 

“So there is a benefit. What makes it particularly powerful is when the emotional response and reward are wrapped together,” he said. The cute image delivers the brain a minuscule blast of dopamine, working the same chemical reward system activated by drugs like cocaine. It makes us come back for more before we are even conscious we want to. 

As interesting as this all is, there are certain ways of enhancing these positive feelings during a time of high stress, which may then lead to better results at work or school. The University of Leeds conducted a study in which a 30-minute montage of images and videos of cute animals was shown to 19 participants, many of whom were students due to take an exam 90 minutes after the session, with the remainder being academic support staff who had declared they were feeling stressed from work.

They had their heart rate and blood pressure measured before and after the study, with the majority wearing a heart-rate monitor throughout. The study produced both physiological and psychological findings. “Throughout the course of the session, heart rates and blood pressure fell across all individuals to a level that would be considered healthy and indicative of limited stress or anxiety,” stated Dr. Andrea Utley. 

“Ultimately, the cuteness response is an important adaptation for us. Without it, I simply don’t think we’d survive as a species,” says Morten Kringelbach, professor of neuroscience at Oxford University and Aarhus University (Denmark). As humans, who come into the world too early, “we need a lot of care—and need to make sure our young are appealing enough to receive it.” 

However, on average, puppies and kittens scored higher on the cuteness scale than humans. And, if you ask me, for good reason. Scientists believe that the powerful nurturing instinct we have for our own children spills over into an affection for anything that even loosely resembles them.

“Animals like dogs and cats have been essentially bred to look like babies,” says Kringelbach. “They have the big eyes, they have the big ears. When you see them, your brain is thinking ‘this could be a baby’. And it’s only later on, by the time you already have reacted, you say ‘oh, that’s not a baby. But maybe I should still look anyway!’”

Whichever it is, science and smart people aside, one thing is for sure—funny animal photos serve as a reminder that even the most mundane moments in life can be made special by the presence of an animal. They remind us to take a step back and appreciate the simple things in life, and to cherish the moments that bring us the most happiness.

As you continue scrolling through this list, make sure to upvote your favorites and leave some thoughts in the comments below, and I shall hope to see you all in the next one! Have a great one!