Here's To Your Health!

It seems that everyday life is more stressful now than ever. Too much stress can lead to high blood pressure, insomnia, and other health problems. Aside from the obvious benefits of having fish and invertebrates for their beauty and entertainment, relaxation is one of the best reasons to have an aquarium. Studies going back almost 30 years have shown that viewing an aquatic scene can reduce stress and even lower blood pressure.

Research has shown that watching the movement of fish helps infants learn to focus on objects and may strengthen their eye muscles. Watching fish has been shown to calm children who suffer from a hyperactivity disorder. Seniors who observed fish swimming in an aquarium had a significant decrease in their blood pressure. Dental patients were less anxious about their upcoming treatment and required less pain medication after having viewed fish swimming. It's little wonder that physican's offices, dental clinics, and waiting rooms in therapists's offices have traditionally kept an aquarium in the waiting room.

Senior citizens who have Alzheimer's experience a variety of health benefits from watching an aquarium. They have been known to have a bigger appetite and require fewer nutritional supplements after an aquarium was placed in the dining room. Some seniors have even experienced less physically aggressive behaviors toward family members.

The size of the tank doesn't seem to matter -- any aquarium, large or small, will have a benefit on your physical and mental health, whether at home or at the office. Make your aquarium a living work of art and take advantage of the stress-relieving benefits that an aquarium offers.