Watching aquariums and fish tanks could improve your physical and mental wellbeing by lowering blood pressure and reducing heart rate, a first-of-its-kind study has claimed.
Experts from the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth University and the University of Exeter in UK assessed people's physical and mental responses to tanks containing varying levels of fish.
The team found that viewing aquarium displays led to noticeable reductions in blood pressure and heart rate, and that higher numbers of fish helped to hold people's attention for longer and improve their moods, researchers said.
While spending time in 'natural' environments has been shown to provide calming effects on humans, there has been very little research into the role that underwater settings could have on health and wellbeing.
"Fish tanks and displays are often associated with attempts at calming patients in doctors' surgeries and dental waiting rooms," said lead researcher Deborah Cracknell, PhD student at the National Marine Aquarium in UK, who conducted the study.
"This study has, for the first time, provided robust evidence that 'doses' of exposure to underwater settings could actually have a positive impact on people's wellbeing," Cracknell said.
The researchers conducted their study when the UK National Marine Aquarium refurbished one of its main exhibits - in a large 550,000 litre tank - and began a phased introduction of different fish species.
The researchers were able to assess the mood, heart rate and blood pressure of study participants in precisely the same setting as fish numbers in the exhibit gradually increased.
"While large public aquariums typically focus on their educational mission, our study suggests they could offer a number of previously undiscovered benefits," said Sabine Pahl, associate professor in Psychology at Plymouth.
"In times of higher work stress and crowded urban living, perhaps aquariums can step in and provide an oasis of calm and relaxation," Pahl said.
"Our findings have shown improvements for health and wellbeing in highly managed settings, providing an exciting possibility for people who aren't able to access outdoor natural environments," said Mathew White, an environmental psychologist at the University of Exeter in UK.
The study was published in the journal Environment and Behaviour.
