Could fishing be the next miracle drug?

Come on, take down your fishin’ pole and meet me at The Fishin’ Hole, I can’t think of a better way to pass the time o’ day.

The lyrics to the song that opened every episode of The Andy Griffith Show aren’t just catchy—scientific research is now whistling the same tune, proving that those looking to reduce stress and improve overall well-being should grab a pole and head to the lake.

As outdoor sports go, fishing is one of the most accessible, enjoyed by participants of all ages, fitness abilities, and income levels. A report recently issued by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and the Outdoor Foundation estimates about 46 million Americans fish today (over one-third of them women), and according to scientific research, the sport can help increase health and happiness.

“Fishing is a natural way to relieve stress because you’re not only literally surrounded by nature, but you’re also able to escape from the ‘real world’ for a few hours,” said Frank Peterson, president and CEO of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. “Anglers enjoy both the ambiance of the water and the low-key physicality of the sport. Many anglers also use fishing as a way to spend time, unplugged from electronics, with their spouse and children.”

For many, a day of casting a line is an ideal fast-track to relaxing, in a nation where 80 percent of people report feeling more or equally stressed each year, according to the American Psychological Association. Research from Indiana University Bloomington shows that focusing on any one activity at hand can accelerate the stress reduction process.

“When you’re fishing, you have to be mindful,” Janna Superstein, president of fly fishing company Superfly International Inc., told Huffington Post. “You have to be present in order to observe what’s happening with the fish and catch them.”

Fishing may also contribute to physical fitness and increased longevity. The Journal of Aging Health reports that getting outside on a daily basis may help older people stay functioning longer, while a study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology says 20 minutes outdoors can have the same pick-me-up effect as a cup of coffee because of nature’s “instantly energizing powers.”

Fly fishing—a type of fishing incorporating a weighted line and artificial “flies”—may also aid women in breast cancer recovery. Groups like Casting For Recovery combine the sport with breast cancer education and peer support therapy for women in all stages of treatment and recovery. The group’s site explains that the gentle rhythmic motion of fly casting resembles exercises often prescribed after surgery or radiation to promote soft tissue stretching.

The combination of an easy form of exercise and mental relaxation also could benefit those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. A 2009 study showed fishing could lower PTSD symptoms and improve the moods of PTSD sufferers. Participants reported a 32 percent reduction in guilt and a 43 percent decrease in feelings of hostility after just three days of fly fishing. The feeling of fear decreased by 30 percent and sadness by 36 percent.

The Shepherd Center’s SHARE Military Initiative in Atlanta partners with Fly Fishing for Vets to provide rehabilitation and support to soldiers by teaching them to tie flies, build rods, and cast a line on fishing trips designed to help them regain focus and coordination.

“Other forms of therapy are necessary and important, but they’re no fun,” said Harry Yates, a retired Army colonel who participated in SHARE due to memory loss issues following a traumatic brain injury. “The great thing about fly fishing is that it’s completely unnecessary, but it’s fun. It’s a relief. When you prepare your own fly, use the rod you built and catch a fish, that’s the Super Bowl of therapy.”