Save a Life, Buy a Fish

In light of National Stress Out Week, I understand if there are individuals who feel as if they're drowning with the amount of group projects, presentations, essays, and 10+ page papers that are on a cut throat dead line. There are many things you can do to try to relieve the stress that is building up within our bones radiating out on any innocent victims that may have crossed us the wrong way in a particular moment.

There are things like comfort foods that can ease the soul for even the slightest moment and make you feel at peace with yourself again. It could be mashed potatoes, Cadbury chocolate mini eggs, rice and beans, chicken salad, really anything that makes you feel alive again.

Exercise is always another thing that is sometimes overlooked. The body needs to be active for at least an hour and a half a day but unfortunately our demanding schedules can't always accommodate for this necessity. A suggestion I have in regards to this is to use the option of walking to destinations as opposed to simply driving to them.

Something that has been helping me throughout the day is a little Betta fish named, Noodle. I rescued him from the wrath of WalMart when they told me about how this particular little guy was on the reject pile due to his lack of color and fin shape. Of course, I had to save his little life. Since I've had him his color has become more immaculate and his energy levels have increased dramatically. I'm almost positive he recognizes me when I come close to his bowl and he flares his little gills in an attempt to flirt, this mere gesture alone melts my heart and I can't help but coo and toss in a few freezedried bloodworms (his favorite treat). It may seem like an unlikely solution to trying to maintain the stress that overwhelms my soul time to time but in all honesty, it works.

Betta fish are the most low maintenance fish you can have in the small closet they call a 'dorm room' where two people live during the semester. All they need is some room to swim, a piece of decor they can claim their territory, a few pellets of food once a day, and a regular cleaning of their bowls. Essentially they are the easiest fish to take care of that also show some sort of response to their owners. Water fixtures are known to help ease the mind and soul if you take the time to appreciate them for a few minutes a day. As I'm frantically passing in and out of my little dorm room, I make it a point to take a gander at my lovely little Betta, and in that moment I feel my internal stress level slowly decrease to a more manageable one.

It's amazing how something as small as a Betta fish can help make life seem that much more beautiful.