Are aquariums actually good for your health?

When everyone thinks of typical pets, dogs and cats are almost always top of mind. But according to the National Pet Owners survey – aquarium fish are pets in over 13 million American homes. That makes them the third most popular pets in America. 

While keeping an aquarium is a big responsibility, owning fish comes with a lot of benefits. One of those benefits, surprisingly – is that it can be great for your health. While we’re positive that owning a fish tank isn’t at the top of the things you’re investing in to lose weight and drop your blood pressure, believe it or not – fish tanks can be a great supplement to a healthier lifestyle.  And in today’s blog, we’re going to explore some of the ways that aquariums help do that. Here are some of the health benefits that come along with owning an aquarium in your home. Let’s jump right in!

Reduced stress

According to studies, even the sight of water has a relaxing effect on the human psyche. It’s part of the reason why beach vacations are so popular. It’s also part of the reason that some people find themselves to be more productive when it rains out. There’s something about water – from the sounds, movement and sight of it – that puts us at ease.

In fact, this is why you’ll notice fish tanks in so many high stress environments like offices and hospitals. Simply put – fish tanks help reduce stress. And as you know, stress has a massive impact on your overall health. Spending time around your tank can help keep you calm and while it’s not going to solve all of your problems, it most certainly will help take some of the edge off our day-to-day.

Lowered blood pressure

When you feel less stress and you get more sleep, your body will begin to function better. As you can see, there’s a little ripple effect beginning to happen. Looking at fish tanks can lower your heart rate and in turn, lower your blood pressure. One study from UCLA suggested that looking at a fish tank can reduce your heart rate by as much as 7%. 

So if you’re someone who struggles with heart-related issues or high blood pressure, owning a fish tank may provide you with a significant health benefit. 

Improved focus and creativity

While fish tanks can calm the body and mind, they can also help boost your creativity and productivity, too. The visual stimulation that goes along with looking at a fish tank or the white noise that it can provide in the background helps people focus more on tasks at hand. Like we mentioned above, there’s a reason that large scale office spaces have fish tanks – and it’s for more than just something pretty to look at.

It’s even great for customers, clients and patients, too. According to studies, having an aquarium in a waiting room decreased the pain felt during dental procedures as well as the amount of pain medication needed afterward. Not only do fish tanks help you feel better, they help you get more done. 

As you can see, the health benefits of owning an aquarium extend far past having some nice looking pets. They can help improve your mental and physical wellbeing. So if you’re finding yourself on edge or wondering about something simple you can do to help improve your health, then investing in a fish tank may be for you. Good luck!