New Study Shows Surprising Mental Heath Benefits that Come From Fishing On a Regular Basis

Ever thought of fishing as more than just a relaxing weekend activity?

New research suggests that those who regularly cast a line might be reaping some significant mental health benefits.

Researchers from the respected Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, together with Ulster University and Queen’s University in Belfast, have revealed an intriguing link.

After surveying 1,752 men about various aspects of their lives, including their mental health history, exercise habits, and overall sense of well-being, they found that regular fishing dramatically reduces risks related to depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.

Here’s the catch: those men who consistently fished were about 17% less likely to face mental health issues than their counterparts who didn’t fish as often.

The study, which appeared in the journal “epidemiologia,” even goes further, indicating that the more frequently you fish, the better your mental outlook.

Elaborating on their findings, the study’s authors wrote, “In general, the findings suggest that encouraging frequent participation in recreational angling could be a dual method strategy for promoting relaxation and positive mental health, as well as encouraging increased levels of physical activity in those with mental health issues.”

I saw this old dude with a fishing pole outside my local bar fishing in a puddle.

He looked so cold!

I said to him, “Come in for a drink and get warm.”

As we sipped our double whiskeys, I thought I would humor him.

I said, “How many have you caught today?”

He replied, You…

— Clinton (@614clinton) September 29, 2023

Do you like to go fishing?

Dr. Mike Trott, a pivotal figure in this study from the Centre for Mental Health Research at the University of Queensland, expressed his surprise in a chat with Fox News Digital.

He said, “We were expecting to find that angling in general has positive effects on mental health — however, we did not expect that the more often you fish, the better the benefits are.”

However, Dr. Trott pointed out one limitation. He noted, “One key limitation is that our sample included only men, so it is hard to make our findings generalizable across genders, despite our very large sample size.”

On the topic of the study’s implications, Trott suggested looking at fishing as a “mindfulness activity,” and he wholeheartedly recommends the sport to anyone looking to potentially boost their mental well-being.

In the ongoing drone fishing experiment, the fish are leading 1-0 as the drone’s attempts have yet to succeed! 🎣🤖🐟 pic.twitter.com/A2S6sVwQK4

— Tansu YEĞEN (@TansuYegen) September 29, 2023

“We also suggest recommended recreational angling to friends or family as a means of improving mental health,” he added. And for those who might not be inclined to fishing? “But if fishing just isn’t your thing, you can try other activities that promote mindfulness, like yoga, thai chi or even coloring,” he said.

Weighing in on the research, Dr. Drew Ramsey, a psychiatrist at Columbia University, who wasn’t involved in the study, shared his thoughts with Fox News Digital.

“It is great to see male mental health getting more attention, with the recognition that some traditional male activities, like hunting, fishing and time in the outdoors, are wonderful for mental health,” Ramsey commented.

He went on to emphasize the various qualities fishing can nurture and wrapped up with a bit of humor, saying, “It is also important to note that fishing is correlated with one of the major contributors to the male mental health epidemic: excessive alcohol consumption. You probably need to fish fairly sober to get these benefits.”

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