by Connor GilliganIn March, my article focused on happiness in America. I wrote a list of things that made me happy and on that list; I wrote fishing as one of the activities that made me happy. What I didn’t mention was that fishing gives me a joy like nothing else. When I’m fishing, I feel a sense of complete peace; there is no other thought in my mind besides the idea of catching a fish. For me, fishing is possibly the most relaxing activity out there. Fishing has been my favorite hobby since I can remember; I even figured out a way to fish in the middle of the desert. I would like to talk about the significant impact fishing has had on my life. Fishing has given me some of my greatest memories and happiest times, but that will not be the only focus of this article. In typical fashion, I will also shed some light on the health benefits of the subject at hand, which, this time around, happens to be one of my favorite things in the world: fishing. There are multiple benefits to be had from fishing. The act of fishing is soothing and stress relieving, yet it is a great source of exercise; reeling in a fish uses muscles from your calves to your neck. And if that wasn’t enough, it has been proven that eating fish can improve life expectancy. Those all sound like good reasons for a fishing trip. Fishing doesn’t just boost your mood because of the fresh air and sunlight; it is also one of the healthiest foods on the planet which affects everything from our brains, to our hearts, to our eyes, and our stomachs. Fish contains protein, omega-3, and vitamin D; most Americans are deficient in at least one of these. There has been a number of studies conducted proving that eating fish improves overall health and well-being. In my last article, I mentioned taking omega-3 supplements to combat depression; and because fish is packed full of omega-3s, eating fish at least three times a week has been proven to reduce signs of depression and raise overall mood. For me fishing is not only about the health benefits, it is about the feeling that comes with it. I can spend countless hours fishing even if the fish aren’t biting; I become mesmerized by the idea of reeling in a monster fish and I lose track of time. In fact, my mind is cleared of every worry in the world as soon as my line enters the water. For me, fishing is comparable to meditation. It’s like the old saying goes, “A bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.” We all need a break from modern society and its hectic pace. Fishing is a great way to relieve the stress placed upon us but the pressures of modern life. Less than an hour a week outdoors can reduce stress levels buy minimum of 20%. Whether you’re fishing for food or for fun you can still relieve stress, increase happiness, and feel at one with nature. I recommend that we all spend more time outdoors, whether that’s fishing, hiking, biking, walking, camping, hunting or frolicking in the woods (I will delve more into this topic in the next article). Fishing has the capacity to make us feel as if we are at one with nature. Weather deep-sea fishing of the Baja Peninsula, fishing a creek in Montana, sitting on a dock in the Gulf of Mexico, or surfcasting in the Atlantic, there is a calming, yet awe-inspiring feeling of being one with nature. There is a yearning in all of us to feel at one with the world, and fishing is a great way to achieve that. Fishing can be somewhat of an existential experience, especially being surrounded by nothing but water, with no land in sight (or for hundreds of miles in any direction for that matter). The ocean enables a different mode of thinking about not just the world, but about one’s self. There is something magical about being on a boat surrounded by nothing but water, or standing at the edge of a lake that has been there for millions of years, or sitting on a dock watching the sun set over the glistening water, not just to fish but to admire the beauty of the world. I can say with all honesty that I have never had a horrible experience fishing; I have had some days that are better than others but I always had fun. Fishing holds a special place in my heart. There were a few years when I was a kid where I wanted to be a commercial fisherman. It is something that makes me happy and helps me get through life with a little bit of sanity. I have wonderful memories of fishing with friends and family. My father and my grandfather introduced me to fishing and someday I will introduce it to my children and their children. Fishing bonds people to the earth and to each other. I’ve had some of the greatest times of my life while I was fishing. Recently my grandpa Jack passed away. I was able to be with him and spend time together for a few days leading up to his death. Many of my most magnificent memories involved this man whom I loved. He was the greatest man that I ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was one of the first people to take me fishing and some of my fondest memories of our intervals together were the hours that we spent fishing. He was always there to take me to whatever location I wanted to fish. I know it made him happy to see me overjoyed at reeling in a fish and I cherish that memory now. He was the kind of person that I aspire to be because he possessed such quality characteristics. I miss him every day, but he taught me a great deal of my most valuable skills and I will cherish the wisdom passed down and the times shared. I’m sure that every time I’m out on the water I will think of him and the good times shared atop the deep sea.
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