Aquarium Therapy and Its Health Benefits
Having a pet means getting unquestionable love and companionship. This also gives us the strength to handle the stresses of day-to-day life. We have heard about so many stories of dogs, cats and other animals who have been honest and loving to their human owners, but there seems to be one more specie we usually forget – fish. In any case, the truth is that their comforting effects cannot be overlooked. These quiet comforters are of course pet fishes.
It may sound ridiculous but there are quite a number of health benefits that come with just watching fish in the aquarium. It has been shown in different researches that watching fishes in aquarium tanks, also called aquarium therapy, has a relaxing effect on a restless mind. These benefits are not just even just confined to the emotional level. Scientists have proven that they can also help certain psychiatric conditions. To be more specific, the following are the major health benefits offered by aquarium therapy:
Stress Reduction
According to studies, watching fish in an aquarium has various therapeutic effects on the emotional and physiological states of a person. It helps in reducing and calming down the anxiety level as well as in relaxing the mind. You’ve probably seen a lot of hospitals with aquariums in their waiting area – you know the reason why.
If You Think You Understand Aquariums, Then This Might Change Your Mind
Cardiac Function Improvement
Study: My Understanding of Animals
As aquarium therapy calms a person’s mind, it can also get his blood pressure back to normal. It slows down the pulse rate and relieves tension in the muscles. That means you won’t only feel better watching these little cuties. They will also make your heart healthier and thus extend your longevity.
Improvement in Alzheimer’s Patients’ Behavior
A study on Alzheimer’s patients showed that those who spent a few minutes each day watching fishes swimming around in aquarium tanks, had a friendlier attitude compared to those who didn’t (note that aggression and troublesome behavior are common among these patients). In the same study, it was observed that patients’ eating habits also improved.
Help for Autistic and ADHD Children
Autistic children are known for their aggression and being prone to having emotional outbursts. When they have the chance to watch fishes swimming in aquariums, with all the colors and movements, they tend to relax and be in a better mood. In the same way, watching fishes in an aquarium has also been noted to benefit kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. But instead of preventing aggression (as it does in autistic children), aquarium therapy improves concentration levels in those with ADHD.
Whether anybody in your household has any kind of mental or physical condition that is helped by aquarium therapy, it would be nice to put even a small tank on one corner of your home, purely for your relaxation. What a joy it would be to have colorful and active fishes in the home!