Most people think that in order to get over an addiction, they have to do something extraordinary or out of this world. However, studies and experience show that even simple activities can do so much for recovery. Recreational fishing, for instance, is one of the most effective activities to help a person stick to a healthier and sober lifestyle.
How exactly? Here are just some of the ways this can actually help:
- A Nice Change of Pace
For people who are undergoing counseling, recreational fishing is a nice way to shake things up and break the monotony of daily sessions. It’s an excellent activity that everyone can participate in beyond the confining walls of a room. Certainly, it helps break the boredom and adds a certain level of “fun” to an existing routine. For most, the change of pace helps them recharge so that they’ll be even more motivated and energized when they come back to their regular lives. For people battling addiction, this means being able to refuel their commitment to the decision they’ve made.
- A Good Bonding Time
Of course, there’s also the fact that recreational fishing is a good way to socialize. Whether you’re fishing with friends, with family, or even people from your group – the activity can be a good connecting point for everyone. It creates a sense of camaraderie and opens up the possibility of enjoying other avenues of life. You don’t need to rely on a substance to enjoy activities, have fun with people, or forge a bond with others.
- Teaches Patience and Reward
Fishing is also a good way for people to learn about the rewards of patience. Even better – there’s something about the sound of moving water that just calms the mind and makes you more receptive to just sitting back and waiting for the fish to bite. Once they do – there’s a quick lesson of reward. There’s something about reeling in a fish you caught yourself that manages to trigger the pleasure center of the mind – creating an undeniable link between work, patience, and reward.
- Helps Flex the Control Muscles
Of course, there are also instances when you need to be a bit more active when it comes to recreational fishing. You need to know where to cast the line or what kind of bait to use in order to get the fish biting. All of these things are within your control and for people battling addiction, control is a very important thing. By participating in recreational fishing, you’re putting yourself in a position where you can control practically all aspects of the activity – thereby allowing you to also control what happens afterwards. This definitely helps create the feeling of being in charge of your own life. If you can control this activity – then you can certainly control other aspects of your life!
- It’s a Great Physical Activity
Recreational fishing can also be a great exercise – although not a high-intensity one. Depending on how you intend to approach fishing, you’ll be required to wade deep in the water, cast dozens of lines to land on the perfect spot, and reel in a fish that’s fighting hard for the bait. It definitely helps work up an appetite on your part and helps you earn your calories for the day.
- There’s Always Something New
Finally – recreational fishing is never boring. It’s an activity that has been practiced for so long that there’s no end to the things you can learn about it. Even the spots for fishing are extensive no matter what state you happen to live in. Even if you can’t go saltwater fishing, there’s also freshwater fishing or fly fishing. You can go on a boat or you can wade deep into the river. You can eat what you catch or choose to throw it back in after the reel. With always something new around the corner, there’s really no time to be bored or let your mind wander to other things.
At the end of the day, it is your decision to stay sober and live a healthier Sugarland IOP lifestyle. Recreational fishing is just one of the tools that can greatly help in keeping you motivated and staying true to your goal! Find like-minded people and the road to sobriety should feel easier.