With the construction happening across our office building, I've decided to also upgrade some of the office décor. I have purchased some new Kimball furniture and upgraded the rug. Using the two rather large office fish tanks as inspiration, I purchased a large collection of sculptures by the well-known artist, Robert Wyland. Although Wyland is known mainly in the Hawaiian Islands and California, most of you may have seen some of his work in our area. The “Whaling Wall”, which was painted in 2005, is located on Route 18 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. This mural is one of 100 whaling walls painted by Wyland over three decades https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvLzj15v9FU.
You may be asking yourself, what does all of this have to do with investments? Well, actually nothing. But as you probably already know by now, I have always marched to the beat of a different drummer. Now here is something to think about:
- 71 Percent: 71% of the earth's surface is covered in water, and the oceans hold about 96.5% of all of earth's water.
- 90 Percent: Over 90% of the world's living biomass is contained in the oceans. The ocean provides 2% of the world's food supply based on calories, while contributing roughly 15% of the world's protein intake.
- Watching a fish tank can help you relax:
- Improved Mood - watching fish can make you feel happier and more relaxed. One study found that the longer someone watched fish, the more their mood improved.
- Reduced Stress - watching fish can help reduce stress and anxiety. One study found that watching an aquarium for 10 minutes can lower blood pressure and heart rate. - Time spent near water is the secret to happiness, click here for the article.
- People who live near water may have a longer lifespan:
- Reduced risk of death: A study of 1.3 million Canadians found that people who lived within 250 meters had a 12-17% lower risk of dying from common causes, such as stroke and respiratory issues.
- Improved mental and physical health: Coastal towns are often among the
healthiest and fittest in the country. The sound of waves, sunshine, and the color blue can all help relieve stress, which is a major contributor to shorter lives.
- Healthier respiratory system: Sea air can help improve respiratory health.
- Vitamin D: Sun exposure can help people get their daily dose of vitamin D.
- Stress relief: Being submerged in water can help people feel better, which can help with mental health management.
- Social connections: Making friends through swimming can help people feel less lonely, which can contribute to a longer life.
- Aerobic activity: Swimming is an aerobic activity that can help strengthen the heart and improve lung health.
In conclusion, wouldn't it be great to maybe have a fish tank in your house or office? Take the time to go for a walk along the beach, or at least, when you go on vacation make sure it's near or on the water. I hope I at least got you thinking about it and doing it some time, the answers are right in front of you.