WATER + FAMILY FUN | the Reel Story
Fishing
for Mental Health
by John C. Gill
Shadowed in the muted light of daybreak, the lake reposes beneath a sheet of fog. Dewy trees and grasses border the shore where, amid the morning’s solitude, anglers outfitted with gear withdraw to docks and watercraft.
74
LAKElife Magazine May 2022
I
mmersed in a tranquil setting, and attuned to the tug of the line, they ease into the motions of their sport. But anglers may reap more than a basket of bass or a tangle of weeds. Fishing delivers a host of mental health benefits. When greeted by the ripple of a shimmering lake and a skein of geese fluttering above the water, the anglers experience a sense of joy and belonging. They feel invigorated by the fresh air and motivated by their love of the outdoors.
This connection to nature initiates a surge in emotional well-being, according to Siquilla Liebetrau, Psy.D., HSPP, Clinical Director of the Bowen Center. “It can reduce anxiety, anger, fear, and stress, while also increasing pleasant feelings.” But the therapeutic rewards of a relationship with nature are not restricted to emotions. Enjoying time outdoors also reduces blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension, and slows the production of stress hormones. The evidence suggests that fishing and stress relief fit together like a rod and reel.
