It’s a clinically supported approach to reducing anxiety, lifting mood, and restoring emotional balance — all through the calming, proven power of time spent by the water.
Fishing Backed by Science
According to a report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, angling has been shown to reduce levels of cortisol — the body’s main stress hormone — while improving heart rate variability, an indicator of emotional regulation and resilience. The same report highlights that participants in angling-focused wellbeing programmes experienced measurable improvements in mood, self-esteem, and social functioning.
One cited study found that over a 6-week period, individuals who took part in regular fishing sessions reported a significant decrease in symptoms of depression and anxiety. These findings support what we see at Reel Wellbeing: that fishing, far from being a passive pastime, can actively contribute to psychological recovery and emotional balance.
A 2023 article from ITV News highlighted the powerful impact fishing can have on men’s mental health, particularly among those struggling with depression, anxiety, and social isolation. The report emphasized how the combination of being outdoors, engaging with nature, and participating in a structured yet relaxing activity like fishing can help foster emotional stability and a renewed sense of purpose.
Interviewees described how regular fishing sessions introduced a routine into their lives—something often lacking during periods of poor mental health. This consistency provided structure, helping to break cycles of inactivity and low motivation. Furthermore, the calming, non-competitive nature of fishing created a safe space for men to process their thoughts, reflect, and in many cases, open up about their struggles without the pressures of formal therapy.
The article also noted the social dimension of fishing, where shared time on the bank led to supportive conversations and friendships. For many, these interactions played a vital role in combating feelings of loneliness, especially in rural or underserved areas where mental health services may be limited. As a result, fishing was framed not merely as a hobby, but as a lifeline—one that bridges the gap between outdoor recreation and community-based mental health support.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), fishing offers a range of psychological and emotional benefits that make it an effective tool for supporting mental well-being. Engaging in fishing has been shown to help lower cortisol levels—the hormone associated with stress—thereby promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. In addition, the nature of fishing encourages individuals to remain present, fostering mindfulness through gentle, repetitive actions, quiet observation, and immersion in natural surroundings.
Beyond its immediate calming effects, fishing also contributes to long-term emotional resilience by providing a structured, goal-oriented activity that can boost self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. These mental health benefits are gaining recognition in clinical and public health settings. In the UK, fishing is increasingly being integrated into community health initiatives and social prescribing programs—where health professionals recommend non-clinical activities to improve overall well-being. This growing movement positions angling not just as a leisure activity, but as a meaningful form of therapeutic engagement for individuals facing stress, anxiety, depression, or social isolation.
In Somerset, we are fortunate to live among some of the most picturesque landscapes in the UK—lush green countryside, winding rivers, peaceful lakes, and the expansive coastal beauty of the Bristol Channel. This access to green (natural land-based environments) and blue (water-based) spaces isn’t a luxury—it’s woven into the fabric of daily life. For many in our communities, these environments offer more than just scenic views; they are places of refuge, restoration, and reconnection.
Angling in Somerset provides a powerful way to engage with these therapeutic environments. It brings together the proven benefits of spending time in nature with the mindful rhythm of fishing—a practice that gently encourages presence, patience, and reflection. Whether it's the quiet solitude of casting a line on a misty morning or the shared camaraderie of a community fishing session, angling creates a setting where people can slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with themselves and the world around them.
Our sessions are grounded not just in tradition or instinct, but in a growing body of evidence that supports the mental health benefits of nature-based interventions. The NHS has increasingly acknowledged the role of social prescribing—recommending non-medical activities like fishing to improve mental and emotional well-being. Research continues to affirm what many in Somerset already know through lived experience: that time spent near water, in natural surroundings, and among supportive communities can be deeply healing.
At Reel Wellbeing, we draw on this science, these landscapes, and these stories. We don’t see fishing as a pastime—we see it as a practice rooted in the landscape, capable of nurturing calm, confidence, and connection for anyone who picks up a rod.
Fishing is naturally calming. The sounds of water, the feel of the air, the rhythm of casting and waiting — all these things bring us into the present moment. For people experiencing anxiety or low mood, this shift in awareness can be incredibly grounding. Fishing slows everything down. It interrupts the constant noise in the mind and helps reconnect the body with the environment.
Fishing also gives people something gentle to focus on. It occupies the hands and the senses in a way that is calming without being overwhelming. For individuals with racing thoughts, this sense of rhythm — cast, pause, wait, feel — can be incredibly soothing.
At Reel Wellbeing, we’ve seen how fishing helps reduce stress and anxiety in ways that feel organic and accessible. Unlike many structured mental health interventions, fishing doesn't require you to talk, analyse, or perform. It simply invites you to be. That alone can be deeply therapeutic.
We also know that fishing creates a unique kind of social space. People sit side-by-side, often in silence or casual conversation. There’s no awkward eye contact, no group pressure, and no expectation to open up. Yet, connection happens. People talk when they’re ready. Or they don’t. Either way, they share time and space with others who are there for similar reasons: to breathe, to heal, and to reconnect.
Fishing also brings structure and routine, which are vital for anyone managing long-term mental health challenges. Having a reason to get up, go outside, and be part of something — even something small — helps restore a sense of normalcy and control. It marks the day. It gives a sense of rhythm, which is often missing during periods of emotional difficulty.
You don’t need to be “into fishing” to experience its benefits. At our sessions across Taunton, Bridgwater, and the wider Somerset area, many participants have never fished before. Some choose not to fish at all — and that’s completely fine. You’re welcome to just come along, sit by the water, enjoy the environment, and talk with someone if and when it feels right.
For those who do want to try fishing, we provide everything. No gear is required. No experience needed. Our friendly, non-judgemental team will walk you through it at your own pace. We’ve created these sessions specifically to be accessible, inclusive, and free from any sense of pressure.
This is not about competition, skill, or achievement. It’s about offering a peaceful setting where healing can happen quietly. Fishing is simply the doorway.
Location matters too. Being based in Somerset, we’re lucky to have access to peaceful waterside spaces in and around towns like Taunton and Bridgwater. These natural settings aren’t just beautiful — they’re healing. Studies have shown that time spent near water (often referred to as “blue space”) can lower stress levels, improve sleep, reduce symptoms of anxiety, and boost overall emotional wellbeing.
But perhaps most importantly, fishing represents hope. Casting a line into the water is, in its own way, an act of faith. It suggests that something good might be out there. That there’s value in waiting. That peace can return.
At Reel Wellbeing, we don’t ask people to fit into a system. We invite them to join us in a calm, open space where they can reconnect with themselves and others. Whether you’re facing anxiety, depression, social isolation, or burnout — or if you’re simply feeling stuck and need a different kind of support — we believe this space can help.
So why fishing? Because it works. Gently. Quietly. And often, unexpectedly.
Come along, with or without a rod. Bring yourself, just as you are. We’ll take care of the rest.
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