There’s something very soothing about watching plants slowly sway underwater and fish swimming together. Not only is it relaxing in general, new research has found that spending time at an aquarium can have a real physiological effect with reducing stress. And when it comes to the fish, the more the merrier.
Scientists at the National Marine Aquarium recently took a look at how large exhibits affected the psychology of the people watching and how things slightly shifted as the exhibit was restocked with new fish. People watching reported having better moods and decreased stress, and their heart rates and blood pressure actually went down.
“Even watching a normal tank — the light and the movement of the artificial seaweed — was quite relaxing for people,” said Deborah Cracknell, lead researcher at the National Aquarium, in a statement, according to The Washington Post. “But when we added fish, it definitely did make a difference.”
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More and more research is showing what could be considered pretty obvious in some ways – that being around nature, whether it be on land or observing life underwater, is helpful to physically reduce symptoms of stress. Even for people who aren’t near an aquarium or for those who live in a populated urban area, just taking a walk in a park can help reduce feelings of stress.
This natural response people have to an aquarium exhibit in particular could make a difference for people in situations that are characteristically anxiety-inducing – like being in a hospital.
“I can see that this could be used in a hospital setting,” Cracknell said. “Even if you couldn’t have a physical tank, maybe you could have a video or a link to a real tank.”
Photo: Flickr user Carol Sawada
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