The growing popularity of home aquariums is taking off unexpectedly in Srinagar, which is genuinely heartwarming. This once beloved hobby has a new place in society with many becoming acclimated to it – especially people with stress-inducing conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Recently, medical professionals in the valley have expressed prosaic psychiatric recommendation of aquariums, which reflects not only that there is a growing commercial trend, but it gives insight as to how society is accepting ideas of comfort in response to societal norms of increasing fragility and unaffordable levels of stress.
Therapeutic benefits are well established in being “watchful” of fish swimming in water, which typically says ‘lessening blood pressure, anxiety levels, and improving individual moods’.
These simple interventions can be very effective! There is a feeling that doctors in and around Srinagar are noticing that especially their PTSD patients have noticeably less hypervigilance and distress while being in the ‘comfort’ of where an aquarium is present.
The movement of the fish, the bubbling of the water, and the sparkle of light can provide a contemplative moment away from those traumatic experiences.
In prior times, having conversations about one’s mental health may have been viewed as stigmatized levels of self-disclosure; however, today, there are spaces for acceptance, and non-pharmacologic treatment is gaining traction.
Aquariums serve as a gateway to mindfulness and relaxation in the daily toil of life without cost or access barriers, as is true with other therapeutic methods.
For many, owning an aquarium goes beyond the fish; but rather is providing a calming habitat in the home. While this is an exciting trend, it also points to the strong need for institutional health support in a mental health service provision in conflict areas.
If something as simple as an aquarium can help, then imagine how far we could get with larger mental health programming, counselling programming, and community-based therapies.
Authorities and health service providers should acknowledge these natural and sensible shifts in practice, and start to dream about new opportunities to expand mental health provision with natural based therapies.
