It’s mid-December, a hugely busy part of the year. For me, it’s the end of my fall semester, with exams, grading and paperwork galore. It’s also a time for holiday gatherings, which are fun but too numerous for such a short calendar period. All this activity is exciting and stimulating and fun. Until it isn’t. At which point I’m ready to hang up the sign– you know the one:
Full disclosure: I don’t fish. I went deep-sea fishing once, in high school, with a friend and her family, and a) got super seasick; and b) randomly caught a 20-lb grouper. I’ll never do that again. No, I don’t mean actually fishing, but rather metaphorically fishing, fishing in my mind and soul.
Here’s what I mean: to me, the idea of fishing brings up some things that, at this moment, seem quite appealing:
- nature– bodies of water especially
- outdoorsy quiet, with ambient nature sounds
- being in one place for a while, with no need to go here, there, everywhere
- no cell phone! no traffic! no shopping!
- gentle focus on a mild, low-stakes activity
By the way, there’s sort-of-science to support the idea that actual fishing is relaxing and good for you. In this study, about fishing and stress reduction during the pandemic, anglers reported lower stress and lower perceived risk of infection from fishing. Also, this short article suggests that fishing may provoke what noted researcher Dr. Herb Benson called ” the relaxation response”:
In 1975, Benson described the relaxation response, a mechanism that can counterbalance the stress response. The relaxation response is the purposeful initiation of a physical state of deep rest, one that changes a person’s physical and emotional responses to stress. When practiced, the relaxation response slows down breathing rate, relaxes muscles, and reduces blood pressure.
A 2008 study by the Benson-Henry Institute, published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, found that more than half of the study participants who practiced the relaxation response experienced a drop in blood pressure values after eight weeks, and 50 percent of those who practiced the technique were able to have their dosages of blood pressure medication lowered. With its meditative-like repetitive motion, Benson says fly-fishing is a “beautiful way” of evoking the relaxation response.
I get it– both the relaxation and the beauty of fishing (not just fly fishing). Here– this may help you get it, too.
See my point? I just don’t think I need a rod and tackle to get the yummy response that Herb Benson is talking about. All I need are some good shoes, comfortable clothing, and a natural destination. It can be a local park, nature preserve, nearby lake or river trail, whatever– I’m not fussy. Maybe I’ll take some pictures, or maybe I’ll just take in the scenery. And I don’t mind sharing it, either, so I’ll be inviting family to join me. There’s plenty of relaxation to go around.
Readers, are you going to be able to take some time in the upcoming weeks to be gone fishing? Even an hour in the morning or afternoon might help you reel in some serenity and appreciation for being. Just a thought…