Benefits of Aquarium
Fish
For millions of Americans, long hours, too much
coffee and a frenetic work pace are the norm,
not to mention the added stress of war, a struggling
economy and terrorism alerts.
What's a good, healthy way to soothe your jangled
nerves? One proven way is to prop your feet up
and watch your fish swim serenely through your
aquarium. Keeping an aquarium may be good therapy
for you. Studies going back as far as the late
80’s have shown that gazing at aquarium fish reduces
stress and subsequently lowers blood pressure.
Benefits To Human Health
Aquariums are used for therapeutic reasons in
hospitals and nursing homes where the benefits
are increasingly being recognized.
• Seniors who were provided with an aquarium
filled with fish had significant blood pressure
reduction.
• Watching fish has been shown to calm children
who suffer from hyperactivity disorder.
• Dental patients who were subjected to hypnosis
vs. an aquarium experienced the same or greater
benefit from the aquarium.
• Other studies have shown that dental patients
required less pain medication after having watched
fish in the office.
It's little wonder that physician offices, dental
clinics, and even waiting rooms for counselors
have traditionally kept an aquarium in the waiting
room.
Aquarium Effect on Alzheimer’s
Studies have shown that seniors who have Alzheimer’s
experience a variety of health benefits from watching
an aquarium. Alzheimer patients ate more, and
required fewer supplements after an aquarium was
placed in the dining room. They also exhibited
less physically aggressive behaviors. At Purdue
University, researchers have found that displaying
tanks of brightly colored fish may curtail disruptive
behaviors and improve eating habits of people
with Alzheimer's disease. A Purdue
News August 1999 Report states that, "Nursing
Professor Nancy Edwards" tracked 60 individuals
who resided in specialized units in three Indiana
nursing homes. She found that patients who were
exposed to the fish tanks appeared to be more
relaxed and alert, and they ate up to 21 percent
more food than they had before the introduction
of the fish tanks.
Fish Fish Anywhere
Virtually any aquarium, from large to small, will
have a benefit. A large aquarium is great, but
if space is limited, a mini-aquarium will do.
Seniors and students can usually find a place
for a desktop style system. What better way to
spend your lunch break than gazing at fish? Take
advantage of the stress-relieving benefits of
aquarium fish whenever, and wherever you can!
BENEFITS
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