Aquariums are relaxing to this autistic person

After my recent move, I set up the first of my three aquariums in my new home. The pictured tank is a 29-gallon long with fancy goldfish in it. The other two aquariums are 55-gallons and will also have fancy goldfish in them. Those two are waiting for the stands to be finished by me. The 29-gallon long is in my indoor art studio, whereas one of the 55-gallon tanks will go in my bedroom and the other in my office once I get it carpeted.

I have always loved aquariums and exotic goldfish, however due to differing circumstances in my life it has been over 16 years since the 29-gallon long tank was filled.

I had forgotten over the past decade and a half just how relaxing having a fish tank can be. The sound of the water trickling from the back filter into the tank is relaxing, as is watching the fish swim around.

I have been very open about the fact that I am autistic and that there are many of the elements of autism which I openly struggle with. Two of those elements which I struggle mightily with are anxiety and depression.

To my overthinking mind, which is constantly busy and always overdoes everything, including the building of the stands for the 55-gallon tanks, watching the fish swim is seriously relaxing.

The goldfish and tanks also serve as an artistic muse, much like my parent's pond did the past few years. I have no doubt that there will soon flow a series of paintings and drawings of the fish, just as there was series of paintings of the fish in my parent’s pond. But why goldfish? I have always been fascinated with face goldfish. They plain ones you get at a fair are boring to me, but the fancy ones are simply beautiful.

I am not a doctor or a psychologist, but I highly recommend having a fish tank as a way to relax to anyone else who struggles with anxiety and depression. Perhaps you might get the same relief from stress and anxiety from aquariums that I do. I also get the same relaxation from an outdoor watergarden. However, where I live, you can only enjoy sitting by a water garden for about 7 months out of the year.

nb: Yes, I know I broke the rules as to how many grown goldfish can comfortably fit in a 29-gallon long tank. I plan to move a few of the fish to the first 55-gallon tank once it is set up and then the other tank once it is set up.