Health Benefits of Fishing: Good for Body and Mind
You may know fishing as a hobby, a way to relax, or simply a way to put food on the table. But did you know it's also extremely beneficial to your health? From your physical well-being to your mental state, the health benefits of fishing are numerous and varied, making it difficult to fully appreciate them.
Fishing is, in fact, one of the healthiest hobbies available. We know these are big words, but we're ready to back them up. We're delving into the science behind angling's effect on the body and mind to prove we're not just telling a fish story. Some of it is obvious, but other parts even surprised us!
Physical Advantages of Fishing
There are as many different ways to fish as there are different species to catch. However, they all have one thing in common: you're out in the open, reeling in fish and possibly taking some home for dinner. This may not seem like much, but it can have a significant impact on your health. This is why.
Get Some Physical Activity
It's not easy to stay fit. Modern life entails spending more and more time at our computers and less time than ever before being active. As a result, only one in every five Americans gets the recommended amount of exercise. In fact, the World Health Organization ranks physical inactivity as the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. It's a major issue.
Fishing may not appear to be a strenuous activity, but that is part of its appeal. It's a low-impact cardio workout that can be as active or as relaxing as you want. More importantly, you can start from scratch and increase your fitness level without overworking your body – or ever setting foot in a gym!
Go to the local pond and catch a couple of fish. Once you've mastered that, move on to more active techniques like jigging or fly fishing. Are you up for a challenge? Hike out for a long day of wade fishing, or hop in a kayak for a total-body workout. Even just balancing on a boat is good for your core strength – let alone fighting fish!
Purify Your Lungs
Air pollution has a wide range of negative effects on your body. It can cause everything from breathing problems to heart disease, and it kills nearly 90,000 people in the United States alone each year. It's no surprise, given that half of the country lives in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution.
But, how is fishing supposed to help with this? Spending time in nature, on the other hand, provides an infusion of clean, oxygen-rich air. Combine that with some light exercise to get your breathing going, and your lungs will feel better than they have in a long time.
Being near water is especially beneficial. This is due to the fact that moving water generates negative ions, which are tiny charged particles that have been shown to boost the immune system, increase metabolism, and regulate sleep patterns. They also improve your mood, but more on that later.
Of course, we're not claiming that a few hours at sea will work miracles. Regular doses of fresh air, on the other hand, can help your breathing and give your body a chance to recover.
Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin.
Nothing beats the feel of the sun on your face in the morning. That warm dose of vitamin D will undoubtedly put a smile on your face. More than that, it strengthens your immune system, hastens healing, and allows you to properly digest calcium, which is necessary for strong bones and teeth.
Okay, we all know what vitamin D is and how to get it. Unfortunately, even before 2020, most of us do not spend nearly enough time outside. The average American spends only 7.6 percent of the day outside, whereas people in the UK spend 2.6 percent – just over half an hour!
That, however, does not tell the entire story. The majority of our time outside is spent in urban areas or in the evening, neither of which is known for its sunshine. It's no surprise that cases of diseases like rickets have increased dramatically in the last 20 years.
What is the solution? Get to the water and begin fishing. You'll be spending a significant amount of time in open space, which will provide you with a healthy dose of rays. Just be careful not to overdo it, especially with all that lovely sunlight reflecting off the water.
Consume Healthily
To be honest, the last two health benefits aren't unique to fishing, even though casting a line is a great way to enjoy them. However, there is one crucial aspect of fishing that we have yet to discuss: the fish!
Fish is high in essential nutrients. There's omega 3, which is beneficial to everything from heart health to vision. You'll also get enough vitamin B12, which is necessary for healthy nerves, blood cells, and DNA. Then there's the protein, good cholesterol, and even a vitamin D boost.
Naturally, not all fish are created equal. Oily fish like Mackerel, Salmon, and Trout are the healthiest catches. Fortunately, they're all fairly common catches. And just because oily fish is the best doesn't mean your local species aren't good to eat. All fish provide essential nutrients while being low in calories.
That last bit is crucial. Obesity is becoming a major issue all over the world. Almost half of all adults in the United States are obese, and many more are overweight. Catching your own fish provides an inexpensive source of healthy food. Simply toss it in the oven with some vegetables and you've got yourself a delicious, nutritious meal.
The Mental Advantages of Fishing
The physical benefits of fishing are self-evident. However, this is only half of the story. Angling has also been shown to improve your mental health. Whether you're dealing with depression or simply having trouble concentrating, a few hours with a rod in hand could be just what you need. This is why.
Combat Anxiety and Stress
When you go fishing, a lot of powerful things come together. For starters, you're in nature, which has been shown in studies to have a significant impact on your mental health. You're also near water, which emits a plethora of mood-enhancing negative ions and has a natural meditative effect on the mind.
And that's just the starting point. The act of fishing itself has its own set of benefits. There's the exercise, which is well-known for making you feel good. Concentrating on your bait is also an excellent way to achieve mindfulness. When you combine this with rising to and overcoming a challenge, you achieve a flow state – that feeling of being "in the zone," which creates calm and fulfillment.
With so many advantages, you have to wonder why psychologists aren't taking advantage of this. It is, in fact. There are dozens of organizations dedicated to fishing therapy all over the world. Fishing has long been used to heal both the body and the mind, from war veterans to cancer survivors.
Fishing therapy appears to be especially beneficial for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Recent research indicates that fishing can provide both short-term relief and long-term healing for people suffering from PTSD. It doesn't stop there. Anglers may also be able to help people suffering from depression and anxiety.
Improve Concentration and Patience
One of the most obvious effects of modern life on our brains is our short attention span. Countless apps compete for our attention with beeps, flashes, and the dreaded red dot. Most of us can't sit still for five minutes without scrolling through social media. Do you still not believe us? Give it a shot.
The truth is that we now have a shorter attention span than a goldfish – and it appears to be worsening. Our brains have a difficult time determining what is important. To focus on one thing for an extended period of time. Millions of people have turned to focus-boosting apps to help them with this, but there is a much easier solution: unplug.
As previously stated, fishing has a mindful, meditative effect on the brain. This may appear to be new-age nonsense, but it is not. Mindfulness improves concentration, aids in focus, and can even stimulate brain growth.
Fishing is especially beneficial for people suffering from behavioral disorders such as ADHD. A single trip, according to a 2012 study, can improve short-term concentration. Repeated sessions can help a person's attention span become more permanent, allowing them to perform better in school, at work, and in general throughout their lives.
Related: Seven reasons why fishing is good for you
Comments
Post a Comment