Fishing good for your mental health
David Seaman from the short film he has featured in alongside members from Tackling Minds, as part of Environment Agency's campaign to highlight the positive impact of fishing on mental wellbeing. Picture: LDR Media/PA
During his 23-year soccer career, winning was always the aim of his game. Now, David Seaman is happy to have found a sport he can enjoy, regardless of the end result.
The former England and Arsenal goalie has found a love for fishing - and while there’s certainly a competitive element, he says relaxation is the main draw for him.
“When I was playing football, I used to play a lot of golf. I would go on the course to try and relax - and sometimes I’d walk off it more frustrated than I’d walked on, as I’d not played very well. Then I got into fishing and it just fitted, because no matter whether I caught anything or not, I felt totally relaxed afterwards,” says the 59-year-old.
Having things to channel energy into has been crucial for adapting to life post-retirement too.
“I’ve spoken to some footballers and they’ve found they got really bored after they retired. You’ve got to keep your mind and body active,” Seaman shares.
“People have said to me, ‘Do you miss football?’ And I’m like - no, I’m not missing it at all - and I’m nearly 20 years retired, you know? Always try and find something to do. That’s the key.”
The soccer legend - England’s second most capped goalkeeper of all time - has now teamed up with the UK Environment Agency on a campaign highlighting the positive impact fishing can have on mental wellbeing.
In a survey of 5,500 UK anglers by Angling Trust, 86% said it has helped with stress and anxiety symptoms, 52% said they’ve found it easier to talk about their mental health since taking up the sport, and 95% would recommend it as a way to help manage these things.
“[Mental health] is one of those things that doesn’t get talked about enough, especially with men,” says Seaman. “We are seeing a big change now, and I think campaigns like this are helping people feel a bit more confident in being able to [say they need support] and knowing where to go.”
Since retiring in 2004, Seaman has kept busy with coaching, TV appearances and - increasingly - helping open up the conversation around male mental health.
He recalls in his footballing heyday, “we had no idea who to speak to” when it came to mental health support. “Now, there are places to go, there’s always information out there,” he adds. “For me, it’s a case of, as hard as it is, trying to chat to people.”
He considers himself fortunate to have had strong support during his Arsenal days.
“I could chat with Bob, mainly about football things, but then he could see when I was having a bad day,” adds the father-of-four. (Seaman has two children from his first marriage and two with second wife, Debbie Rodgers. He’s now married to former Dancing On Ice professional skater Frankie Poultney.)
“And I think that transfers to friends - if you speak to your friends, you can spot they’re having a bad day and maybe help them that way. The main message is to actually talk to people, because it really does help. If you keep everything contained, it just gets worse and worse, there’s no doubt about that. It’s really hard to try and sort it all out yourself.”
Seaman doesn’t think newbies to fishing should focus too much on what they catch. At least not to begin with.
“Don’t go out and expect to catch a massive fish straight away - go somewhere where you’ll catch little fish. And ideally go with someone that’s fished before, because you need to find out a lot, like what bait to put on and how to tie your knots.”
For Seaman though, it really is all about reeling in some all-important restoration, rather than catching a whopper.
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