REEL IN A CURE FOR STRESS
Install an aquarium at home – and your Sunday fear will soon be sleeping with the fishes
Swim out of the high-pressure depths of deadlines with this simple aquatic trick
According to a groundbreaking study by the charity Mind, three-quarters of Britons have been so stressed over the past year that they have felt unable to cope. Despite the rising popularity of self-help apps, the crisis, it seems, is only worsening – so, we suggest that you start looking outside the box. Or, to be more precise, inside a glass tank.
While restocking one of their larger exhibits, scientists at the National Marine Aquarium in Devon investigated the psychological and physiological benefits of spending time watching fish. Not only did test subjects report a marked improvement in their mood after visiting the exhibit, their heart rates and blood pressure – which are closely linked to symptoms of anxiety – significantly dropped as increasing numbers of fish were added*.
The researchers also found that the most significant changes were felt when people viewed colourful tropical fish. So, for an effective, lowmaintenance anxiety antidote at home, you’ll need to invest in more than a few sea monkeys. But if you fear that even the small responsibility of looking after fish will spike your stress levels, try visiting your nearest Sea Life Centre instead.
Or, for an immediate fix when under the pressure of looming deadlines, a seascape screen saver should do the trick. Conveniently, you don’t need to gaze upon real fish to reap these benefits: images of them were found to reduce blood pressure and heart rate, too. Try it the next time you’re in too deep.