When we discuss the many health benefits linked to cycling, almost every article highlights the physical advantages of riding a bicycle. While the physical health benefits are certainly noteworthy and abundant, it is important to recognize the fact that cycling is really great for your brain too. The mental and psychological benefits of cycling are legitimate yet incredibly under-publicized. In today’s stressful working environment, people are often looking for ways to relax their minds and take a break from the daily hustle that causes stress. From work drama to family issues, the list of daily anxieties goes on and on. Cycling, however, is an excellent way to curb these common stressors for all types of people.
Whether you choose to cycle to get fit, for competitive purposes, or even for social reasons, riding a bicycle regularly is an excellent way to keep your mind and body happy. Let’s take a look at the mental benefits of cycling:
1. Reduces stress
Let’s face it, life can be really demanding sometimes. Getting out on your bicycle every day helps to reduce these stresses. Not only has it been proven that cardiovascular exercise helps to reduce stress and ease anxiety, but cycling, in particular, has been said to benefit the rider’s overall state of mind.
2. Reduces risk of depression
The sheer enjoyment of riding a bike can be enough to ease the mind of some of its demons and reduce the risk of depression and mental illness.
3. Helps you sleep better
Riders are able to get their circadian rhythm in sync by riding regularly. In addition, cycling can help to reduce levels of cortisol in the body which is a stress hormone that may block regenerative, deep sleep. It also can positively affect brain serotonin which can improve your sleep cycles.
4. Improves your memory
As aging sets it, it is often difficult to maintain a sharp memory. Riding a bike helps to build new brain cells in the hippocampus, this is the region of the brain responsible for a person’s memory.
5. Helps you feel good
People who choose to cycle instead of drive gain a sense of pride by helping save the environment. Reducing your carbon footprint and avoiding adding to the world’s pollution does a wonder for making you feel good about yourself. Cyclists enjoy the benefits of a “cycling high”. Similar to a “runner’s high”, cyclists often note that the endorphins that come from the physical exercise of riding a bike make them feel happy.
6. Improves creative thinking
All kinds of artists and musicians take a bike ride when they are suffering a mental block. The ability to exercise while getting fresh air helps to sharpen problem-solving skills as well as creativity. Avid cyclists note that they have an addiction to riding. This positive addiction is a great way to refocus your mind’s energy into a positive place.
7. Helps boost productivity
Recent studies have suggested that employees who bike to work are more productive. In addition, a quick afternoon bike ride can boost your energy levels and help you have a more productive evening.
Cycling is a great sport for many reasons. Giving your mind that extra boost of positivity is important for your overall happiness. The psychological and mental advantages of riding a bike regularly are something that really helps maintain cheerfulness in our daily lives.
Do you ride for exercise or for the mental benefits of cycling? Please share your opinions below.
Let’s be honest. Running or working out at the gym are activities that I dread. Boring, and definitely not fun. Riding a bike, on the other hand, is enjoyable. Partly, I think, it relates back my childhood and the fun and sense of freedom associated with my first bike. That bike is one of my fondest memories. It also doesn’t hurt that the exercise is easy on my joints and makes me feel good.
Definitely a stress reliever. I started riding again after a 10 year hiatus. I was prescribed Lipitor for borderline high cholesterol @ age 50, I never filled the prescription & my wife bought me a road bike instead. Cholesterol is in check & what stress?
My brother died of liver cancer but gained 5 months due to the condition of his heart & lungs( according to drs) from cycling. He actually had a stationary bike in his hospital room.
Steve, glad cycling has made you feel better and live longer! Thanks for sharing.
Nowadays, most of the people are suffering from various kinds of mental disorders, and especially those who aren’t willing to any kinds of physical activities. As a cyclist I know, cycling is a better way for keeping you away from this kind of illness.
Thanks, Bill Bone
this a helpful article
I too am suffering from little bit of depression. I am looking forward to taking up cycling as a hobby and a way of physical strengthening. So I am still on the negative end of spectrum hoping to cross over. I would love to share my experience in a few days. Thanks for the article.
Aniket, please share your experiences. We hope cycling helps you to feel better!
I bought a bike on weekend from Zanzibar, i rode it today , and i feel strong energetic at work and still active. this is owsome!
Since age 9, I have been biking all of my life; I enjoyed the freedom cycling provided. In my teenage years it provided me with a temporary escape from stressful situations at home, later when I was in navy bootcamp, a fellow recruit and I were talking and he made a comment about how everyone else mentioned getting back to a sweetheart, loved one, but I said I missed being on my bike. In my college years the pressures of assignments, upcoming finals exams, my peers, it was my bike ride that gave me a chance to think, clear my mind, feel better about my life at the time. Throughout my 30 year management career, some of my best days were when I could get out on a bike trail. What I have learned since I retired is that without my full-time job, I needed mental counseling to help with my insomnia, depression, anxiety, etc…, my doctor said I had an unresolved case of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder); he was surprised how inspite of my disorder I was able to hold down a job, and accomplish so many other demands. What we determined is thanks to my passion for cycling, the released endorphins had kept me from falling into even deeper despair; it was my personal remedy and my own body’s will to survive.
Hello 🙂 I ride bike actively for a 6 year but in my town we don t have riding territory separate. It is the best thing that I adopt in my life. I m sorry I didn t start earlier. I am so relaxed… I like a space around me . Smell of nature after rain. Watching birds. Crash air. Outside sports in my country are not popular.
I have been on mental health meds since 1991. Only now (in 2019) have I been able to reduce them to such a level – that I feel I can ride a bike and enjoy life, again.
Both, cycling around the Thai countryside is a constant pleasure, mental and physical, a real challenge with dubious road surfaces, avoiding colliding with tractors, motorcyclists, children, chickens, the odd buffalo, old mamas wandering down the middle of the road, all without a regard to their own safety, people wandering straight out without looking, the list is endless, crazy, my motto , expect the unexpected!!!!!
I was a mental patient when doctor suggested me to ride the bicycle,after that my mental problem finished and now I am spending a brilliant life.I suggest all those to drive the bicycle who have such problem.
all of these comments are very helpful I have been feeling like i’m not in reality lately, I also have been feeling anxious I’m gonna try cycling out today I’ll share my results soon!
From Now-a-days, the most of people are affected by diverse styles of mental disorders, and specifically for individuals who aren’t willing to any forms of bodily activities. As a bike owner I know, biking is a higher way for maintaining you faraway from this type of contamination. Thank you Bill Bone this very helpful article for all readers.
I’m actually on 20 mg of lexapro for my ocd and anxiety…when I started riding a bike outside on a paved trail (11 miles a day) my anxiety has become so much less and my ocd has improved big time…read some of the other articles on cycling and mental health….it will amaze you…
I know this sounds crazy but I feel that cycling also has spiritual benefits, I have been increasingly a little more psychic since I started riding and I think it has to do with the cardiovascular movements and respiratory work done in cycling, everything internal is moving and this is causing blood flow, better digestion, better oxygen intake, and more blood flow in the brain so that can account for the increase in energy that I feel and maybe all that accounts for the very interesting moments I’ve been having in my life also confidence and social powers have been growing too very fun. All the best! keep riding my friends! Keep enjoying life! 🌞😊🔥