As wonderful as the holiday season is, it can also be overwhelming: all the hosting, rushing, socializing, gift shopping, and festive grocery shopping can take its toll. Let biOrb offer you a solution: take a moment to breathe, reset, and bring a little calm back into your home.
Aquariums offer the perfect opportunity for a moment of peace — a small pocket of stillness and quiet amid all the bustle of the holiday season. Here’s how.
How aquariums can affect your wellbeing
Ask anyone who owns an aquarium and they’ll tell you the same thing: there’s something wonderfully calming about watching fish swimming along, decor gently waving in the water, and bubbles rising to the surface.
But don’t just take our word for it — that calm feeling is backed by science.
What the science says
A number of studies have shown that looking at fish and aquariums can be good for your mental and even physical health.
A study from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health showed robust evidence that fish tanks — large public aquariums, in the case of this study — can have a positive effect on viewers’ wellbeing. This was compounded in a 2019 review on the relationship between our health and our interaction with fish, in which “preliminary support was found for effects on mood, pain, nutritional intake and body weight,” according to the authors.
Another study even suggested a link between enjoying fish and positive wellbeing in those with dementia.
Put simply, just the act of looking at an aquarium could be beneficial for all of us.
Let’s bring it home
Dr Sabine Pahl, one of the authors of the ECEHH study above, said, “In times of higher work stress and crowded urban living, perhaps aquariums can step in and provide an oasis of calm and relaxation.”
Why not bring that philosophy into your home?
With an aquarium, especially a tabletop one like one of our aquariums, you get a peaceful micro-environment that you can return to again and again. The gentle movement, soft light, and mesmerizing fish offer you a hub of calm and peace in a busy home.
As a compact tank, it fits into almost any space — even the tiniest of corners — and you can decorate and display it in whatever way makes you happy. It’s an effortless way to add beauty to your space and create a personal sanctuary.
How to turn your biOrb into a moment of calm
Let’s take a look at a few ways you can make your biOrb a calm oasis amongst the hustle and bustle this holiday season.
Set the mood with soothing colors
If you picked a biOrb with colorful RGB lights, set them to a calming shade. Try a warm-toned yellow or a gentle blue - or why not select the option of gradually changing colors via the included remote?
Create a miniature world that inspires you
Choose a collection of decor for your aquarium that spark your imagination this winter. You could go for a seasonal style, choose items that complement your home decor, or just pick something that looks stunning to you.
Choose peaceful inhabitants
Populate your aquarium with fish and other underwater life that you can enjoy watching swim around. Small schools of tiny ones - such as tetras, shrimp, or danios - are perfectly sized for a biOrb, and fun to watch. If your tank is large enough, try a variety of species - perhaps a mix of fish, shrimp, and snails - for more visual interest.
Make the surrounding space calm too
Expand the oasis of calm a little, by making the area around your aquarium cozy too. Keep the surface tidy, adjust the lighting, and you can even add a few favorite holiday decorations to the shelf or table it’s sitting on.
No biOrb yet? Here’s how to get started
All you need to get going with biOrb is one single box. Choose between our selection of aquarium shapes (and sizes) that suits your space, and you’ll have everything you need — from the tank itself, to the equipment powering it, and even conditioner to get your water ready.
Next, it’s just a case of choosing decorations — whether you want to mix and match a few favourites, or grab a ready-made decor set of hand-picked, complimentary pieces.
More simple ways to create calm during the holidays
Listen to gentle music
It’s okay to pause Mariah Carey for a while. Swap the jingles out for something a little more peaceful — whether it’s mellow holiday tunes (think Michael Bublé or Bing Crosby), classical music, or an old favorite album.
Make time for hobbies
A little time spent on a mindful hobby can go a long way to help refresh your mind. Carve out an hour or so for rejuvenating pastimes like reading, sketching, gardening, baking, or crafts.
Get some fresh air
Go outside! It might be chilly out there (or scorching, in the Southern hemisphere), but nothing beats fresh air and being amongst nature. Take the time to head out for a walk and savor the great outdoors.
Enjoy a cozy drink
Make yourself a nice warm drink, such as tea, cocoa, matcha, or a spicy mulled cider — and actually sit and enjoy it. The time it takes to sip the whole cup is just right for hitting the reset button on your brain.
Invite the whole household
Why not get everyone involved? Brew enough tea for the whole family and invite them to join you in a moment of calm. The whole home benefits, you won’t be distracted by outside chaos, and it gives kids an opportunity to learn the value of mindfulness.
Find your moment of calm
See how you can bring peace and mindfulness to your space this holiday season with biOrb. Explore our range of compact aquariums and all the beautiful decorations you could need.
