How to Beat Stress With Outdoor Adventures Like Fishing Lodge Breaks

If you're feeling stressed out by working life, taking a break is sometimes the only option. But what are the best ways for Aussie workers to get the most out of their recreational timeouts?

Well, you could just spend a few days slouched in front of the TV set watching box sets. However, you can do better than that. Instead of staying at home, or even remaining in the city, why not head out into Australia's great outdoors for some real recreational therapy?

Nature turns out to be one of the most effective stress treatments

An impressive (and growing) body of evidence suggests that exposure to the natural world is one of the most effective ways to relieve stress of any kind. For example, researchers from the University of Exeter Medical School in the UK report that people living near parks and other green spaces experience better mental health.

Over in Japan, professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki has found that walks in nature have big benefits, drastically reducing the concentration of stress hormones like cortisol and helping to guard against high blood pressure.

Basically, walking through forests, climbing mountains and relaxing beside Aussie lakes is a sure fire relaxation method for anyone feeling the creeping effects of burnout.

Hire a rod and book a fishing lodge for an unbeatable stress relieving escape

One of the best ways to realise the benefits of nature is fishing, believe it or not. According to Professor Herbert Benson at Harvard in the USA, fishing is so effective because it allows participants to zone out from everyday life, breaking up harmful patterns of thought that can trap people in unhappy situations.

In the Australian context, there's no better way to achieve this disconnect that spending time at a recreational fishing lodge. These places are usually located in prime fly-fishing spots with beautiful scenery, such as Queensland's Hinchinbrook Channel or Tasmania's Central Plateau. You can hunt for barramundi in Darwin or brown trout in Tasmania and banish any worries far from your mind. 

Fishing lodge accommodations tend to feature all of the comforts holiday-makers need to feel at home, from air-conditioners to rental boats. These aren't hardcore wilderness destinations (although they are far removed from Sydney or Melbourne). Instead, they are tailor-made for urbanites who need a proven way to soothe their stress as they prepare themselves for a return to work.

But fishing lodges are just one suggestion. The truth is that Australia's outdoor recreation opportunities are almost endless, allowing everyone some time to freshen up and relax. Don't be afraid to explore.