Fishing might have always made people feel better, after a hard work’s week, or an unfortunate event in their lives, but now some studies show how true that is. If you have ever felt down and a day spent fishing made you feel good again, you know what this is all about. Fishing is excellent for most people’s mental health for a variety of reasons.
You stay in the moment
One thing that affects anyone’s mental health is the constant flow of disrupting thoughts that don’t let you focus on what’s important. When you go fishing, it is easier to forget about all your troubles, as you will have to keep your eye on the fish and pull the line the moment it bites.
You’re exposed to nature
According to scientists, human beings should be exposed to nature daily, something that not many can achieve in this day and age. At least, at the end of the week, you should unhook from the stressful way of life you’re carrying and head over to your favorite fishing spot. Disconnecting from your important sources of stress will work wonders for your mental health.
Finally, you get some quiet
At home, at work, or in traffic, there’s always a source of noise around. And even when there isn’t, like at nighttime, you might feel too tired to realize that you can finally enjoy the silence. If you go fishing, quiet comes with the territory.
No one wants to chase fish away, so even if there are other fellow anglers around, they won’t bother you. In this silence, you will be able to find yourself and truly relax.
Bonding and socializing
Have you been too busy to see your friends and get out of the house besides work? Seeing your friends over drinks might not be that indicated, seeing that you’ll still be cooped up inside somewhere. For real bonding, fishing is excellent.
Get some buddies to join you on your next fishing trip. You will find it easy to connect with them in a place where there’s nothing else to distract you, and you can all enjoy yourselves.
Fishing has you see the world
Pack some essential gear, like your Lowrance Elite 3x and fishing clothes, and head over to a place you’ve never visited. When you’re too caught up in the same old, same old, your life may feel like running round and round on a hamster’s wheel.
Break the toxic cycle and go fishing somewhere you’ve always wanted to go. Seeing new places, traveling, and meeting new people will work wonders on your mental health. When you return, you’ll be able to take on the world once again.
You can work on your patience
One source of stress that most people don’t realize comes from the inside, and not the outside, and that’s your own impatience. When you feel in a hurry over assignments, tasks, and even simple chores, you’re putting a strain on yourself. It is impossible to keep on like that without feeling repercussions.
Therefore, you should take up an activity that can teach you the virtues of patience. That kind of activity is fishing. As you wait for fish to bite, you will have nothing else to do but to do just that. There are no e-mails that need replies or laundry that must be folded. It’s just you and the fish, and that’s how you become more patient.
The feel-good hormones from the exercise will rejuvenate you
There is some physical activity involved with fishing. That, together with the satisfaction of catching something, will lead to a release of feel-good hormones in your brain. You will feel born anew after a day spent fishing.
Mandy X
Photo by John Sekutowski on Unsplash
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
