Can fish help heal a broken heart?
At some point in our lives, most of us have been there. You've lost the love of your life, or you're grieving for your loved one, partner, or pet. Every day and night warping into a difficult and painful process as you seek to make sense of it all. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, but can fish help you cope with the pain of recovery?
Well, it would seem so. Mental health studies have shown that many mood disorders, including depression, anxiety and loneliness can be alleviated by watching fish, and 'fish tank therapy' is often used in the treatment of both adults and children for many conditions, including coping with loss.
Seeing fish swimming in an aquarium will improve your mood and mental stability – studies have shown that viewing fish has increased levels of happiness. Its believed that the longer the person watched a fish, the more their positive mood increased. Viewing fish helped put observers into a calm and content state.
A colourful and attractive looking aquarium has also been shown to benefit children suffering from behavioural disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD). Children tend to be calmer, slow down and have better attention spans when they have a fish tank around. This is another good reason to have an aquarium in your home.
So, can fish mend a broken heart? Not entirely, but they can certainly help.
If anyone else out there is struggling with loneliness, help is always at hand. Talk to someone. Contact the Samaritans if you need to. Information can be found via this link.
Photo credit(s): Shutterstock
