Ignoring stress may eventually result in high blood pressure, poor mental health, heart diseases, and lowered immunity, making it important to find ways to release it.
1.Runners High:
You must have noticed how you feel very relaxed after a good cycle ride. This is because cycling increases the production of endorphins, our brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, thus, giving us a very clear-headed and light feeling.
2.Spending time in nature:
3.Releases serotonin:
When you are stressed, you release the stress hormone Cortisol. Since there's no off switch to stress, it might even lead to a lack of sleep, which releases more cortisol and causes further imbalance. However, when you cycle, cortisol levels drop and your body releases feel-good hormones along with serotonin which also improves sleep, thus restoring balance.
4.Increases confidence:
Be it a 3km ride or a 30km one, doing something for ourselves and getting better at it gives us a sense of accomplishment. When you are riding a cycle, you are in full control in that moment, and you get to explore as much as you wish. This increases our confidence and acts as a mood lifter, thereby reducing stress.
5.Brings joy:
Riding a bike is something that we have all learned during our childhood. Whether it be your childhood cycle-buddy, the first time you fell, or how you got your first cycle, we all have some sweet memories attached to it. Not only does it make us reminisce about the good old times, but it also helps us make new memories while we're at it, bringing us joy and cutting down stress.
6.Pedaling as meditation:
Just like classical meditation uses the repetition of powerful words or phrases to calm the body, continuous pedaling makes us focus on the pedal strokes and boosts our focus. It blocks any negative thoughts or worries and makes us focus on our bikes and the way ahead.
7.Exposure to daylight:
Especially in times like these, when most of our work is done online and we are not required to step out of our houses, being in one place can increase stressful thoughts and mess up our routines. Getting some daylight can lift our mood and decrease melatonin, which helps us wake up in the morning.
8.Spending time with friends/family:
Whenever you are under stress, your body starts to operate on low vibrational energy. It is therefore advised to be around people who have positive energy so that it lifts your spirits. Cycling is one of the most fun group exercises, whether it be with your friends, family, or fellow riders you bump into on your way.
9.Sense of control:
Most of the things that stress us out are the ones that we cannot control. Cycling, on the other hand, makes you feel like you're in control. You can choose to go on any path and explore any route as you are the only one in control of it. This sense of control and stability makes us less hung up on the things that are out of our control, even if it is a temporary getaway from stress.
10.Vitamin D:
Being out in daylight increases the amount of vitamin D in our bodies. This vitamin is known to reduce stress and anxiety levels, and also help people with depression.
Cycling is one of the best exercises to reduce stress and lift your spirits, so don't let any stress keep you from it. In fact, let it drive you to be a better rider!
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