You love fishing and you assumed everybody else loves fishing too. Then you met that one person who thinks you’re crazy.
Maybe it’s your partner who prefers staying home when you pack up the tackle box. Or maybe it’s your kids who don’t see the point of sticking worms on a hook and sitting in a boat all day waiting for an imaginary fish.
If you could only put into words the benefits of fishing maybe someone would listen. And your partner wouldn’t hide when you ask where she hid your waders.
Maybe it would help if you put a healthy spin on it.
We found five health benefits of fishing we’re sharing in hopes that more people get out and cast a line. Continue reading and then decide who you want by your side on your next fishing trip.
Fishing Heals the Soul
If you love fishing, you already know how you feel after a day on or in the water. Emotions range from restored to relaxed to exhilarated. Participating in a favorite sport or hobby makes a person feel good but when the hobby takes place outside you take those good vibes to another level.
Fishing naturally connects us with nature. Not only does the sport expose us to fish, insects, and other wildlife, fishing inspires learning about and caring for our natural environment.
Time spent nurturing love for our natural environment nurtures us and in turn, we can experience two psychological benefits of fishing. Healing depression and alleviating feelings of desperation.
Spending time with people we love also heals the soul. Fishing creates a bonding experience like no other. Ask any captain at fishmiamicharters.com how bonding and fishing go together.
If you’ve never cast a line and waited patiently for a bite, you’ve missed out on an opportunity for healing the tired soul and perhaps even the sick body.
Fishing Does the Body Good
A day on the water isn’t only good for the soul. One of the most significant benefits of fishing is improved physical health.
Fishing takes you outside in the fresh air and sunshine where the body and mind experience the benefit of breathing in cleaner and purer oxygen than what you find indoors.
Your skin absorbs natural Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. The entire body benefits from a healthy dose of moderate sunshine especially during the early morning when UV rays are lower. Fishing and early morning sun make great partners.
Cast a line and lower your blood pressure. If that sounds too good to be true, research shows communing with nature helps lower blood pressure. Turns out those hours spent waiting for a tug on the fishing line aren’t wasted after all.
Not only can fishing help your lungs, skin, and blood pressure, it can give you a good workout.
Your Body Loves the Burn
When you see someone gracefully cast their fishing line and wait quietly for a bite, you may assume fishing is a passive activity. Think again!
Fishing in a stream with fast-moving water can burn around 300 calories per hour! Fishing from the bank or shoreline means walking back and forth — more calories burned. Even digging worms gets the heart pumping.
Casting a line and rowing a boat works small and large muscles in your arms and upper back. Wading and maneuvering strong currents gives your lower back and legs a workout. Walking to your fishing hole, carrying your gear, climbing rocks, and even reeling in that giant marlin uses muscle power.
If you enjoy a total body workout and a prize at the end of the line, try fishing. If your brain feels tired, try fishing.
Fishing is Brainfood
Between computers and phones and the other demands of daily life, our brains never relax. Our brains work in overdrive most of our waking hours. The overload often results in problems concentrating.
When you disconnect from the constant data and turn off the endless calls and texts, your brain can relax. Fishing calms your mind and lets your brain focus on one thing. Luring that fish and anticipating the aroma of it frying in the pan.
It’s not only about doing something you enjoy. Fishing gets you outside in nature. Spending time in nature changes chemicals in the brain, which can improve concentration.
Fishing, if you eat what you catch, offers nutrition benefits too!
Eating Your Catch
Most healthy eating plans include fish on the menu. Even people who cut out meat will keep fish in their diets.
It’s no secret that most of us miss the boat on supplying our bodies with the right nutrients and in the correct quantity. Fish is a high-quality source of protein, iodine, and other vitamins and minerals.
When you fish for the fatty fish like salmon, trout, tuna, and mackerel, as long as you eat your catch, your body enjoys the benefits of eating the healthiest fish.
Already Enjoying the Benefits of Fishing?
Even if it’s only in your mind, for now, we hope you’re enjoying the benefits of fishing.
Your soul loves it. Your body gets stronger and healthier. Your brain chemicals change for the better. Reeling that fish in and popping it in the pan also provides a healthy nutritional boost.
What’s not to love about fishing? If you’ve enjoyed this post, read more lifestyle articles here.