As you grow older, it is essential to stimulate your mind to keep it active and engaged. There are several ways to keep your mind stimulated; however, setting up an aquarium proves to be a particularly fantastic option. Asides from the soothing effect and visual appeal an aquarium has, it also offers several tangible physiological, emotional, mental, and health benefits. Read on to learn the five health benefits of aquariums in your senior years.
Reduced Stress Levels
Studying the movement of fishes as they swim across their tank has a hypnotic effect that helps keep the mind relaxed and eases muscle tension. The calming movement of the fishes in an aquarium suffices as a relaxation therapy that can reduce anxiety and stress levels.
Reduced Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
With this relaxed mind, seniors are more likely to experience several other health benefits, such as reduced blood pressure and heart rate. Watching the calming movements of aquatics helps improve the mood and can lead to a noticeable reduction in blood pressure and improve your heart health.
Improved Sleep Quality and Duration
Sleep is essential for a healthy mind and body as your body requires rest to recharge and repair itself. Suppose you’re having trouble sleeping sound; watching aquatic movement before bedtime can help you calm your mind and body and prevent a night of tossing and turning. If you decide to keep your aquarium in your room, the white noise it provides can also aid better sleep quality.
Improves Memory and Focus
Setting up your aquarium in your senior years is beneficial because it can help improve your memory. Brightly colored aquatic tanks provide visual stimulation that enhances alertness, focus, and concentration.
As Companionship
Many older people often battle with loneliness; thus, a core reason to own an aquarium at home is for company. You would be surprised about the level of connection you can form with fishes in your aquarium. Unlike friends and family that might travel far, your pets will always be with you through your ups and downs.
Sense of Responsibility
Caring for fishes in an aquarium, like any other pet, naturally comes with the understanding that you need to cater to the animals’ well-being. As you advance in age, caring for pets allows you to develop a sense of purpose and responsibility towards something. While taking care of an aquarium might not be as strenuous as caring for traditional pets, it requires proper care and attention. Regularly cleaning the aquarium and scheduling feeding time improves your focus and concentration and helps you connect with them.
Setting Up an Aquarium at a Retirement Community
In our retirement community, seniors have the freedom to bring personal items, including an aquarium. We also provide assisted living services that allow our seniors to enjoy a relaxed and catered lifestyle, thus giving them enough time to emotionally connect with other things that interest them. Contact us today to learn more about our retirement community!
