Mental Health Benefits of Cycling

Cycling is one of the best hobbies people can pick up. There’s a near-endless list of physical benefits that come with regular cycling. However, some that are rarely discussed are the many mental health benefits of cycling. Here’s why cycling is one of the best things you can do to support your mental health.

Exercise

There are many studies that show the immense benefits physical activity has on your mental health. Even something as little as sitting down less and keeping your body moving helps to maintain positive mental health.

Exercising throughout the day can be tiring. This may initially sound like a bad thing, however, in actuality, it is far from the case. Being tired after a long day means you will often fall asleep much easier. This means you’ll get a much better night’s sleep and hence leave you feeling revitalised in the morning. Having poor sleep makes dealing with everyday life a chore. Giving yourself those extra few hours of sleep might make all the difference for you!

Release of Endorphins

Physical activity has been shown to bump up the production of the brain’s feel-good hormones called endorphins. You might know this as ‘runners high’ but the same can be applied to riders. If you’re unfamiliar, runners high kicks in as your body releases endorphins. It is described as a short-lasting but deeply euphoric state of relaxation.

Any form of exercise results in a release of endorphins so if you find that cycling isn’t working for you take the time to find one that does. If you love the feeling of cycling but find it too difficult due to a physical injury or health conditions then an electric bike might be perfect for you. An electric bike doesn’t do the work for you, it only assists your pedalling. It’s definitely not deemed “cheating” and makes cycling that much more accessible for everyone.

You get outdoors

Being outdoors and in nature is one of the most powerful things you can do for your mind. If you’re looking to up your production of endorphins you should move your exercises to the great outdoors! Yes, when physical activity is completed outside your body releases endorphins at an increased rate. Therefore, making cycling that much more appealing.

Here at Cycle Revival, we firmly believe that there’s no better sensation than feeling your tyres bounce along the terrain as cool fresh air whizzes past you. Not to mention all the time spent in the sun and fresh air! Cycling is an amazing way to feel ‘free’ and in control of your journey.

You socialise with people who have similar interests

Picking up a new hobby almost always means you meet new people. The cycling community is a very welcoming and friendly one. We love to see people taking up the hobby and are always willing to support each other. There are many cycling clubs and great people waiting for you.

Spending time with friends increases your sense of belonging and purpose. Having a group of friends and a strong social support system can relieve stress massively.

Statistics

According to a study in Cycling Weekly, cyclists experience fewer mental issues than those who do very little or no exercise. This study was taken from a cross-section, of around 1.2 million people in America. It was found that those who exercised, in general, suffered 43% fewer bad mental health days than those who did no exercise.

Something as little as 45 minutes of exercise between 3-5 days a week was associated with the lowest risk of poor mental health.

Take your time

It’s important to make sure you learn to walk before you run. Building up your fitness gradually reduces the likelihood of injury from overstraining yourself. If you haven’t trained for some time, or suffer from any health conditions, it would be wise to talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise routine. This, like taking things slowly, will reduce your chance of injury.

Another thing to take into consideration is that physical activity isn’t always helpful for everyone’s mental health. It’s not uncommon for people to find it incredible one day but awful another. Some people realise that it just simply doesn’t work for them. So don’t be discouraged if you fall into this group.

Get in touch

We hope you found this blog informative. The mental health benefits of cycling are clear so if you’re interested in picking up the hobby feel free to get in touch for some advice.

We have a wide range of options from folding bikes, perfect for commutes, to full-suspension mountain bikes! We’re bound to have the perfect bike in stock for you. Feel free to give us a call at 01435 866118 or drop us an email at info@cyclerevival.co.uk. Alternatively, you could visit us at our shop in Heathfield or fill out the contact form here. We’ll do our best to get back to you as soon as possible.