​Why Cycling is More Than Exercise

Cycling is more than just an exercise. While there is a lot of talk about how cycling is good for the body, helps you burn fat, lose weight and build muscle, the importance of cycling for the brain is not discussed as much as it should be.

Cycling has many wonderful mental and psychological benefits. It is one of the best stress busters out there and going out biking after a hard day at the office can have a relaxing effect on you. Riding a bike keeps you fit and your mind healthy. It is much more than just an exercise. Here’s a quick look at some of the mental and psychological benefits of cycling.

Photo courtesy of Tejvan Pettinger via Flickr

Cycling helps relieve stress and can reduce anxiety and depression.

Cycling has many wonderful benefits. Going mountain biking on weekends or taking your bike and going out for a long ride after a full day at work can help relieve some of the stress you may have picked up from the workplace.

Cycling is a very good cure for anxiety and depression as well. Many studies have found that riding a bike for just 15 minutes reduced the level of cortisol or the stress hormone in a group of participants. In many ways, this had very similar benefits as taking an antidepressant.

Cycling is an intense cardiovascular activity. When you ride a bike and start sweating, the body secretes a chemical call endorphin. Endorphins send signals to the receptors of the brain, which helps relieve some of the stress that you might be feeling and triggers a positive feeling in the body. This makes you feel joyful, happy and elated. That is one reason why most psychologists recommend physical exercises such as cycling as a cure for anxiety and depression.

Photo courtesy of Converse College via Flickr

Cycling is good for the memory

Cycling is a very good aerobic exercise. When you take your bike outside and ride for a few minutes you will feel a rush of blood flowing into the brain. This supplies the brain with oxygen and nutrients. The mind feels fresh and alert and this really does wonders for the memory. When you are cycling outdoors, your situational awareness is one of your brains major focuses. Looking out for obstacles, taking note of moving vehicles and pedestrians, tracking your location and focusing on optimal direction for every moving moment, all of these contribute positively to your brain health. 

According to a study, a group of men who participated in an intense 30-minute round of cycling scored higher on memory and reasoning tests than those who did not. This is one reason why regular exercise such as cycling is recommended to older people who are most at risk of memory loss or dementia.

Cycling helps improve productivity at school or at the workplace.

When you ride a bike to work, you will feel sharper and more alert and more enthusiastic about the day ahead. This is due to the rise in cortisol from the activity. 

Cycling can give you a type of high – much in the same manner as a runner’s high. It is a positive activity that redirects your mind to focus on more positive goals.