By Matt Leighton, VIVOFISH.com
When you think of pets that make you feel better after a tough day, your mind probably goes immediately to cats and dogs, right?
And for good reason!
These furry friends give us immense benefits!
But not everyone can fit a dog or cat into their life. Are there any other options, or are you out of luck?
Well, it turns out that fish are pretty darn good for you, too!
I knew this from years of fishkeeping, but when I looked into it, I found that science backed me up in a lot of ways.
First of all, pet fish can bring a calmness to your life by reducing stress and anxiety. All you have to do is watch them for awhile and reap the benefits!
This calmness also influences you physiologically, as scientists have found that observing fish in an aquarium reduces heart rate and blood pressure, both of which are good for your mental state and your heart’s health.
And here’s a real “sciency” explanation of the mental benefits…researchers found that people watching fish placed their mood in the “calm and content” mood quadrant.
They also have great potential to help patients with Alzheimer’s, and may even help children with autism and ADHD feel better.
To learn about all of the benefits fishkeeping affords you, check out the full infographic at VIVOFISH!