Is Cycling A Remedy For Depression?
Most people learn to ride a bike at a young age and never forget how to do it, as the saying goes. So many people take part in cycling as its not that hard once you have learned and you can go at whatever pace you like. Something that most people are unaware of though when it comes to bike riding, is that it has long been used as a method of fighting depression. But why is it considered to be such a healing sport?
Outdoors. To kick things off, most bike riding happens in the great outdoors. Research has proved that people recover much better when they are in open spaces and are meeting other people in the outside world. Further more, you breathe in fresh air and see some wonderful surroundings on bike rides, which all helps to perk you up a bit. Bikes are also a great deal easier to transport than other outdoor equipment for example surfboards or used kayaks.
Healthy body, healthy mind. The causes of depression are incredibly varied, although many people quickly start to follow a similar pattern. When you are depressed you tend to care less about your appearance and may put on weight, leading to a further drop in mood. Cycling is a great aerobic sport that works to burn off fat and get you looking slimmer. As people start to feel happier with the way they look, their confidence returns and they start to feel better generally.
Endophines. When most people exercise they get a release of hormones that have a feel-good effect, known as endorphins. These hormones not only improve you bodies functioning but also reduce stress and increase the feeling of happiness. It is no wonder then that exercise is considered one of the most effective ways of beating depression. So if you’re feeling a bit low, buy a couple of second hand bikes and go for a ride with a friend or partner
Mail this post
Tags: bikes, cycling, depression, exercise, sports
Leave a Reply