03/10/2026
Check out Dr Gifford's advice about spending time at the lake!
If your doctor ever suggests “more time outdoors,” fishing may be one of the healthiest ways to follow that advice. Research shows that spending time near water — a phenomenon scientists sometimes call the “blue space” effect — can significantly lower stress hormones, blood pressure, and heart rate. Studies from Europe and Japan have found that even quiet activities like sitting by lakes, rivers, or the ocean improve mood and mental clarity. Fishing adds a few extra benefits: gentle physical movement, sunlight that boosts vitamin D levels, and the calming focus that comes from watching the water and waiting for a bite. You might not catch dinner every time, but from a medical standpoint, the hours spent trying could still be good for your health
