We all know riding by bike provide different healthy benefits, is one of the best ways to exercise your muscles and lungs, but you know the psychological benefits of cycling?
Maybe you don’t know, but the practice of this activity as a sport or leisure activity brings different advantages to brain and mental health. If you want to know more about it, join us in this journey
But, before going out, take your helmet and adjust it. We need to protect those neurons.
Camaraderie and Interaction
Cycling is a sport to practice alone or with company. Each way has their own purposes, however, one of the psychological benefits of cycling is help to construct a better interaction with other people.
If you’re someone who complicates to create social relationships, but love to ride by bike and assist to rides, this is a great way to meet new people with similar interests. Isn’t necessary to have a special membership neither being part of an exclusive club. These rides are for everyone.
There you will have more than a greater social interaction, you will also be part of a camaraderie with other cyclists. Among the main rules of cyclist groups is “we go together, we return together”. So, don’t worry, they will give you the help you might need.
Without noticing it, you will be part of a new group. By riding with more people, you will start to being more competitive and demand yourself to surpass in every ride.
Alzheimer and new neuronal connections
Whether you do it in moderated or demanding way, cycling is one of the most beneficial cardiovascular physical activities. In this case, breathing help to oxygen brain’s blood, and from there releases one of the most psychological benefits of cycling.
In Alzheimer matters, pedal release the blood activity in certain parts of the brain related to this disease. Let’s say is a way to “maintain” those zones and prevent this disease.
Besides, all the exercise that involves the use of bike release an indispensable protein for the neurotrophic factor that comes from the brain. This process is the one that preserves a good health in neurons, creates new of them and strengthens memory. That’s how cycling help to prevent Alzheimer.
Meditate and pedal
The use of bike requires concentration and coordination; in one hand, you need a good balance to maintain the bike standing while you pedal. Your motor coordination is important, you must look behind to check if other vehicles come and avoid to impact them. At the beginning maybe you turn your head and also turn your handle bars at the side you turned, but don’t worry with practice that won’t happen.
Once you master that, and as incredible as it seems, you will be able to meditate, how? Just pedal.
When circulate by flat grounds, without slopes that demand so much to a moderated speed, pedal provoke lungs maintain a calm breathing rhythm. This breathing is maintained automatically and your mind enters in a state similar to meditation. In this way getting on your bike helps you to calm yourself.
Self-esteem and cycling
As you may notice, all these benefits have a great well-being and fullness sensation. This comes from a great self-confidence. And the best of all is cycling is a sport for your own speed and allow you to challenge and break your own limits.
If you’re starting in this sport, we propose you to cover easy and short routes when starting. As you acquire experience and resistance, increase the distances. Demand yourself a bit more, but at your own rhythm, when demonstrating yourself you can do it, your confidence will be unbreakable.
Psychological benefits of cycling, reduce anxiety and depression
As we learned, this sport performed in outdoors have different benefits for mental health. All these advantages from physical ones to psychological ones, reduce the risk of suffer anxiety and depression. By enjoying the freedom bike provides, as the mental well being of improve yourself, will give you the tools to fight these disorders.
