ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Fishing, and especially fly fishing, can help improve your health.

A Harvard Medical School publication “On the Brain”, found that fishing can help trigger something called the human relaxation response. That response helps people to deal with stress, and provides a number health benefits.

They include:

  • Improved mental focus and clarity
  • Better attention spans
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Better sense of well-being

The simple act of getting out into nature has been proven to have a calming effect. The experts say repetitive motion like casting also provides a meditative effect that has positive impacts on mental health.