It has been well established that exercise plays a big part in boosting mental health. Whether you take a walk, jog, swim, or play a sport, getting your body to move is one way to help you feel better physically and emotionally.
Studies have shown that cycling, too, works well to improve psychological wellbeing. Here are seven reasons you should put your feet on those pedals.
1. Relieves stress
Research shows that people who commute to work on a bicycle have reduced stress levels compared with those who travel via other means. Still, don’t limit yourself to daily home-workplace commutes to relieve stress – why not cycle for pleasure?
Take your bike to the nearby park, or hop on your mountain bike and hit the trails. Even a simple ride around the neighbourhood can help you destress.
2. Unites you with nature
Expose yourself to fresh air and greenery by cycling in nature parks and reserves. For the more adventurous, mountain biking is a great way to get outdoors for hours with only trees and the sounds of Mother Earth to keep you company.
As you delve into nature, let nature nurture you to better mental health.
3. Helps you disconnect
Stress tends to come from social connections, especially with the proliferation of social media. From peer pressure to gazing enviously into other people’s “perfect” lives, too much time spent on social apps can be detrimental to one’s wellbeing.
This is why it’s important to disconnect from the digital world. Step away from all the self-imposed tension and drama by going on a bike ride. Bring your phone, by all means, but use it only if absolutely necessary – texting or scrolling while cycling is very dangerous!
4. Improves sleep
Overthinking leads to anxiety, which in turn might keep you up at night and result in you being sleep-deprived. Cycling is a great way to improve sleep – mainly because it’s a physical activity that makes you tired.
Regular cycling has been shown to help synchronise your circadian rhythm, which reduces stress hormones in the body. This allows you to get enough deep sleep to regenerate and refresh your brain cells.
5. Allows you to socialise
Some people suffer from mental health issues due to loneliness. The good news is, picking up cycling can actually help you become more social.
Find companions who share your enthusiasm for hopping on the bike. Platforms such as Facebook can allow like-minded people to connect with each other and meet up.
Cyclists will find they can relate easily, even without a lot of talking. Introverts enjoy being part of cyclist groups as they can do their thing and be part of a social group without too much interaction.
6. Offers a way to meditate
While cycling, you can easily zone out and focus only on your riding. This allows you to achieve a sense of mental calm.
Oftentimes, stress comes from ruminating on worrying thoughts over and over again. As cycling can temporarily remove your thoughts from your mind, it can be considered a form of meditation.
Don’t know how to meditate while cycling? Try focusing on the actions you perform. Concentrate on your legs, the rhythm of your breath, or pedalling; or focus on the pleasant feeling of the breeze on your skin.
7. Burns calories and boosts endorphins
Last but perhaps most importantly on this list, cycling is a great way to get a full-body workout while being outside. When you exercise, your brain releases hormones including endorphins and dopamine, which are known as “happy hormones”.
Furthermore, cycling is an aerobic exercise that activates your blood vessels, heart, and lungs. You take in more oxygen, which reaches various parts of your body especially your brain, and improves its capacity to function.
So what are you waiting for? Hop on your bike or, if you don’t have one, head on down to your nearest bicycle shop – a host of mental health benefits await!
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg and host of ‘The DRH Show’. Connect with him on Twitter @dennisr_howell.