Pedaling your way to better wellness can begin with hopping on a bike. Bike Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, both in May, go together well, as the physical activity of riding is beneficial for the brain, working wonders on mood enhancement, stress relief, improved mental clarity, and more. Accessible to most people, aerobic, generally low impact, simple, and convenient, biking is an easy-going brain boost.
Regular exercise in the form of biking stimulates the release of crucial neurotransmitters — chemical messengers that carry signals between nerve cells in the body — endorphins and serotonin, also known as the body’s feel-good chemicals, that help boost mood.
Research has also shown that regular exercise, like bike riding, can reduce levels of stress hormones, including a key one, cortisol, promoting relaxation — and relieving tension in the body. Countless studies demonstrate that regular physical activity can calm and, in some cases, keep anxiety and depression at bay. Two-wheelers can also experience higher energy levels, as bicycling helps boost overall stamina.
Biking helps build a better brain, structurally and functionally. Aerobic exercise stimulates blood flow to the brain, increasing oxygen and nutrient delivery to support cognitive function. Riding can help keep the mind sharp, increasing the production of proteins that create new brain cells, including those responsible for memory.
Exercise such as cycling plus exposure to fresh air and sunshine is great for mental health. Being outdoors and among nature, instead of trapped behind the wheel in a car battling traffic, helps magnify the benefits associated with biking. Bicycling can also build community. Riding is a fun group activity, often enjoyed best (and very safely) with friends or family. Social connection and support help maintain mental health.
The wellness benefits of biking are far-reaching, positively impacting bike commuters, leisurely riders, and those who cruise around on e-bikes. Even just thirty minutes a day comes with benefits, with taking it up to a few hours a week leading to improving general health even more so.
Get set and go on that journey towards a healthier, happier you now!
