Some say that the great American pastime is baseball. Others would argue against this claim and say that it’s actually fishing.
Going fishing might not be for everyone, but for many, learning how to string a rod, bait a hook, and cast is an art. And, catching your first fish is often looked at as a rite of passage of sorts, a milestone often achieved in youth.
The United States is home to some of the best fishing in the world. As we all live on a continent teeming with rivers, lakes and streams, the fish seem plentiful at times. And, the fact is, fishing is actually more beneficial to the mind and body than most people realize.
When you go fishing, you’re entering the natural world. Though you might not realize it, this simple act of using a baitcaster does more good for you than you probably imagine. Here, we’ll explore a few of the many benefits of fishing.
Improved Concentration
When we take a minute to relax into our natural environment, a peace within us rises. This isn’t some hokey line from a new age journal, it’s actually based in fact. Studies from the British Journal of Sports Medicine have shown that simply being outside and becoming attuned with your surrounding environment has a natural calming effect.
The study’s further research showed that this leads to changes in brainwave patterns which naturally lowers stress and improves your ability to concentrate.
Over time, as you sit in your canoe or on the shore among the leafy foliage, you’ll be more at peace within, and this promotes greater levels of concentration that you can leverage in all areas of your life.
Unplug and Relax
Let’s face the facts: we all need to unplug from time to time. In today’s modern world we’re so interconnected through technology that we’ve actually become more distant socially than ever before. Though you might love to post those pictures on Facebook of that 6-foot Catfish you caught while you were out fishing, there’s no need to be plugged in.
When you go fishing, there’s no need to check emails, send messages, play games, or even talk on the phone. In fact, when you go fishing, doing anything other than the act of fishing actually defeats the purpose of fishing itself.
Fishing is a great way to immerse yourself in the natural world; to still yourself in the moment and recharge your mental battery. It’s out there in the natural world of lakes, rivers, streams and coastlines where there’s no need for the constant chatter of today’s devices.
When you’re out on a still lake in Upstate New York waiting on that first nibble, all you need is right there in your hands, and in your view.
Making Memories
Too often we wake in the morning with a head full of “to-do’s” that take up our entire day. You have to go to work, pay bills, run errands, and everything in between before you have to do it all over again the next day. It’s the grand cycle of rinse and repeat.
The problem is that we often forget to tend to what’s most important in our daily lives. And, these are our personal relationships.
If you have kids, friends, a spouse, or even a coworker that you favour, taking them fishing not only makes memories, this creates a bonding experience that you both will share. In fact, some of the greatest conversations can be held when fishing, and you just might learn a thing or two about your personal relationships.
Fishing is truly a relaxing experience. It’s often stress free, unless you’re fighting that big Marlin out in the Gulf of Mexico. But regardless, the benefits of going fishing far exceed that of any other outdoor sport.
The great thing is, you don’t even have to eat the fish. Just catch and release. Even if you’re not the outdoor type, you’ll find that just going along to see what it’s all about is an experience that’s very much worthwhile
