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MM-O-DD invites the public to discover the healing benefit of aquariums as an example of how design impacts our brain wellness. 

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The top six health benefits  of aquariums whether at home, at a doctors or at the Belle Isle Aquarium.

1. Reduced levels of stress. 

Many people feel peaceful when viewing an aquarium, including having a calming effect on you and those around you. Fish tanks in high-stress environments like offices and hospitals. Managing your stress level is very important for your overall health and wellbeing. One can spending time around a tank which would calm you down but having a routine you follow in taking care of a tank can be beneficial as well.

2. Improvements in sleep quality. 

A good night’s sleep is the key to long-term health. Sleep is how your body recharges and repairs itself – it also gives your brain time to consolidate memory and build new connections. For many people, sleep doesn’t come easy. Watching a fish tank before bed may calm your body and your mind enough to fall asleep, saving you from spending half the night tossing and turning. Many people have home fish tanks  in their room they sleep in, which can provide some white noise to is beneficial to many to fall asleep.

3. Lowered blood pressure and heart rate. 

When you feel less stress and get more sleep, your body will feel and function better. More than that, however, having a fish tank can actually improve your heart health. Looking at a fish tank can slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure. According to one study, looking at an empty tank reduced heart rate by 3% while a tank with fish present yielded a 7% reduction. If you struggle with high blood pressure or other heart health issues, having a fish tank in your home could heal you immensely.  

4. Decreased pain and anxiety. 

Watching a fish tank is almost hypnotic. Not only does your heart rate slow down and your blood pressure normalize, but you may find your stress and worry slipping away as well. The presence of an aquarium has been shown to reduce anxiety and pain in dental patients. According to a scientific report, having an aquarium in the waiting room decreased pain felt during dental procedures as well as the amount of pain medication needed afterward.

5. Improved focus and creativity. 

The presence of a fish tank can calm both your body and your mind, freeing you from the stress and anxiety that might be holding you back. Having a fish tank in your workspace could actually improve your focus and boost creativity, helping you maximize your productivity. The visual stimulation of an active fish tank may have therapeutic effects as well, giving your mind something else to focus on for a few minutes while you work through an issue.  

6. Calming effect for children and Alzheimer’s patients.  

Though fish tanks provide visual stimulation that might boost your focus and creativity, they can also have a very calming effect. This particular benefit has been observed in children with hyperactivity disorders as well as Alzheimer’s patients. In one study conducted at Purdue University, the presence of a fish tank at home improved mood, alertness, and appetite in Alzheimer’s patients while reducing aggressive behavior. Children who struggle with behavioral issues, may find a fish tank calming. It may improve concentration and sleep, two things which may in turn boost performance at school.

The health benefits of aquariums extend beyond the simple fish tank at home. Studies show that spending time in public aquariums can improve both physical and mental wellbeing as well. The first controlled experiment testing the impact of aquarium on heart rate and blood pressure was conducted in 2015. Study subjects became relaxed even when watching an empty tank and the health benefits increased as more aquarium fish were introduced. The May 6th opening will be a fundraiser for a MM-O-DD sponsored Belle Isle Aquarium Tank.

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The Belle Isle Aquarium was designed by famed Detroit architect, Albert Kahn, and opened on August 18, 1904. It is the oldest aquarium in the country and has served the Detroit community as a beloved attraction for generations. In 2005, the city of Detroit announced that the Aquarium was to be closed due to lean economic times for the city. The building remained closed to the public until the Belle Isle Conservancy reopened it on September 15, 2012.  Over the past three years, the aquarium has exploded in popularity, evident by the attendance numbers that have TRIPLED over the course of the past year. "Momentum" is truly the best term for what is happening in this historic building! A work-in-progress, the aquarium continues to grow and flourish as new exhibits and fish are added, tanks are restored, and history is preserved for generations to come.