HEALTH BENEFITS OF HUNTING AND FISHING
Many people go hunting and fishing because it is a fun way to pass the time and it helps you put food on your table. But did you know there are tons of physical and mental health benefits that come with these activities? Here are some of the top 6 ways hunting and fishing can benefit your health.
1. Lowers stress
While you’re out hunting or fishing, you are fully concentrated on the task at hand which can take your mind off any worries you may have had. You’ll also get plenty of vitamin D from the sun, which helps reduce cortisol levels (known as the “stress hormone”).
2. Improves cognitive function
Changing your location, fixing fishing rod or firearm issues, and swapping out your bait might seem like simple tasks. But these problem-solving activities help enhance your analytical skills and involve the use of creative thinking and logic. Hunting and fishing involve concentration, and the more you participate in these activities, the sharper your concentration skills will get!
3. Provides nutritional value
At the end of a long day on the water or in the woods, the food you’ll put on your table is high in nutritional value. The meat you’ll get from hunting is grass-fed, which means that it contains more vitamins than grain-fed meat and can be lower in fat. Fish are also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which lowers your blood pressure and reduces your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
4. Keeps you fit
Hunting and fishing are both great ways to get exercise, since you’re working your main muscle groups such as your shoulders, arms, legs, and back. Hunting rifles usually weigh about 12.5 pounds, and carrying one for multiple hours a day will help you gain strength. Reeling in fish, wading through the water, and walking to your next hunting/fishing spot are other ways to keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of health problems such as heart attacks and high blood pressure.
5. Encourages socialization
Whether you’re bringing all your friends together on a trip or teaching your children a new skill, hunting and fishing encourage socialization. Socialization is beneficial at any age and can help increase your confidence and self-esteem, increase quality of life, improve mental health, and boost immunity.
6. Allows you to unplug
It can be exhausting to spend most of your day staring at a phone or computer screen and answering emails or texts. Hunting and fishing give you the opportunity to unplug for hours at a time, and instead connect with nature.
