Stressed? Go fish

Our grandson loves to fish. Since he was just a toddler, much like his father, he’s had an affinity for marine life which grew into an adult passion for rod and reel. And like so many fisherfolks, he’s in a peaceful state of happiness when he does it.

That active stillness. The beauty of natural surroundings. The gentle shushing of moving water. Slowing down, physically and mentally, to patiently wait.

Maybe they’ll bite. Maybe they won’t. It’s all good.

Fishing is a hobby supported by science. Aside from the obvious stress relief of being in nature and away from the frenetic pace of modern life, a good dose of the sun’s neuroprotective vitamin D is a great brain booster.

August is National Fishing Month.

As if simply indulging in the experience isn’t enough, many studies have confirmed the benefits of spending time in nature. At least two hours each week seems to be the magic number for better health and well-being, according to a study published in the June 13, 2019, issue of Scientific Reports (White, et. al.).

Fishing has also been found to improve symptoms of PTSD. A survey cosponsored by anglers’ network Fishbrain and charity Mission FISH examined the role of fishing in the emotional rehabilitation of more than 1,000 veterans.

Among their findings: 84% said their important relationships were better after a day of fishing; 66% said they participated in fishing for therapeutic reasons, and 53% found it to actually be therapeutic.

Describing their general emotional state while fishing, 88% described feeling relaxed; 84%, happy; and 50% said they felt focused.

Another thing fishing hobbyists commonly describe is feeling “in the zone.” Fishing, which involves staying focused on the movements of bait or floats and long periods of a kind of active waiting, can become meditative. Given time, fishing can lead to what psychologists call a flow state.

According to positivepsychology.com, flow state has been described as a feeling of almost-timelessness, when a task at hand becomes easy or just seems to come together and nothing seems to matter, at least in any troubling way.

Researcher Mihaly Cziksentmihalyi, who coined the term, wrote that flow isn’t good or bad. It simply is. It comes from an enjoyable activity (fishing, work, music, whatever floats your flow) and can lead to a feeling of experiencing life more deeply.

Maybe think of it as a healthy high, no drugs required.

“Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” — Henry David Thoreau

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Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network who wishes she'd learned to fly fish. Email sholeh@cdapress.com.