Are you a fishing enthusiast? If you are, then you very well know the feeling of going on a trip with a fishing rod in one hand. Exciting, amazing, and enlightening. At least that’s how I feel. How about you?
For fishing fans like us, it’s not hard to believe that it is one of the most famous recreational activities worldwide, with curious beginners growing every year. However, only a few realize that fishing cannot only be a great pastime,but it can also be a source of happiness, peace of mind, and in general, physical and mental wellness.
If you’re one of those who still haven’t felt the full benefits of fishing as a hobby, you’ll understand better if you continue reading below. All the more reason to read this if you are curious about it and you wish to be convinced!
Reasons Why Fishing Promotes Physical And Mental Wellness
- Nature Has Its Ways Of Healing. Enjoying the beauty of the lake and the surrounding trees, plus the joy of fishing and catching fish releases happy hormones and gets rid of the negative thoughts running through one’s mind. Nature, clean and green, has always proven to heal. “Human reconnection with the natural world is of immense importance in living to our full potential. Research shows the inarguable effects of “humans on nature”, from increased attention and focus, communication and relationship skills, and faster recovery times from illness and disease, to the decreased use of medication.” Dr. Carlene Taylor, LMHC, LPC, CPCS, NCC elaborated.
Additionally, studies have shown that going outdoors for rest and relaxation reduces one’s blood pressure. Hypertension, or heightened blood pressure, leads to more serious conditions such as stroke and heart attack. To know more about this topic, you can consult professionals on online counseling apps like BetterHelp. You can also check out this review from Indeed to get a grasp of how online counseling works.
- Fishing Helps Burn Calories. This doesn’t mean you’re going to burn just by holding a fishing rod and sitting by the dock waiting to catch fish. No, it doesn’t work that way. Some types of fishing require a lot of walking, like bank fishing or fly-fishing. With both, they say one burns 200 calories an hour! As explained by Amanda Zayde, PsyD “Exercise is key; speak to your primary care physician to see what kind of physical activity is right for you.”
Boating or kayaking and catching fish in the middle of the sea or lake requires sufficient energy to sustain pulling the rod or keeping it from being pulled, if, say, you caught quite a big one.
- Bonding While Fishing Will Is Awesome For The Family. You would be lucky to spend time with your family while being able to do something you love. You can teach your kids how to fish, and when you catch one, Mom can cook a super deli and healthy meal.
Fishing is not something that takes up most of your time and energy, so you can spare a lot more to converse and play with your kids. Some hobbies just take too much time away from family, which causes rifts and misunderstandings.
- Fishing Is Also Intellectual. There are strategies in fishing that you need to learn to catch fish, and this requires a quick and sharp mind. In a way, fishing does improve one’s mental well-being. This is why fishing is beneficial also to the seniors, as cognitive decline increases as we age.Fishing energizes them and challenges them to use their brains. “When you challenge yourself to learn a new skill, you are building your intellectual health. People who pay attention to their intellectual wellness often find that they have better concentration, improved memory, and better critical thinking skills.” Marjie L. Roddick, MA, NCC, LMHC said.
An article done by the Harvard Health Publications enumerated some activities that help decelerate cognitive decline, and fishing was one of those activities, describing it as a physically and mentally stimulating activity.
- Constant Exposure Strengthens The Immune System. When you fish early in the morning, the best thing you get aside from the fish is the sun. You suck all the vitamin D as you stand on the ground or by the lake. Vitamin D is an essential factor in bone formation.
Additionally, as you make fishing a habit, you follow a routine of being outdoors almost the whole day. You are open to the good and the bad things that the environment offers, and that includes the germs in the surroundings. Because you become used to being exposed to germs and vitamins, your immune system is also strengthened. You become physically and mentally stronger.
Undoubtedly, there are more reasons why fishing helps one become happier and healthier. You can also know more about the physical and mental benefits stated above by following social media sites focusing on these topics. Are there other benefits you would like to share with us? We would love to hear from you. Let us know your stories and experiences!