| All of our lives are filled with more stress and | | | | gives me some time to myself to clear my head. |
| problems than we may want to admit. The key to | | | | Another more obvious benefit of the commute is |
| having a healthy mental life is to figure out ways to | | | | that I get some exercise. |
| manage those things. This is not always the easiest | | | | Trail riding was really the catalyst to my cycling |
| of tasks. It is, however, easy to let some problem | | | | passion. This is the area I started to take more |
| eat away at you until you feel flat out depressed. | | | | seriously before the others. I would go on a two |
| None of us want to get to that point. That is not a | | | | hour ride and think I was out for 20 minutes. This is |
| fun state of mind to be in and once you're there it's | | | | the effect of the trail ride. You can "lose" yourself in |
| not easy to break out of it. There has to be ways | | | | the woods away from the hustle and bustle. I don't |
| to battle the stressors of our lives. Some people | | | | mean literally get lost. You can get into a state of |
| may see a therapist to work through their issues. I | | | | mind where the only thing you are thinking about is |
| won't say that it doesn't work, but it's not for me. I | | | | the next obstacle in front of you. For the time you |
| prefer a more proactive approach to mental | | | | are on the trail that is the only thing on your mind, or |
| health...cycling. | | | | at least it should be. If you're not paying attention |
| I have always been an active person so I will back | | | | you could wreck and I think we all like to avoid those |
| up the idea that some sort of exercise will help keep | | | | whenever possible. You can also take a break |
| you mentally healthy. Scientifically, aerobic exercise | | | | anytime during your ride, take a deep breath and |
| increases the amount of endorphins you body | | | | enjoy where you are...the great outdoors. That's |
| produces. Endorphins are chemicals produced by your | | | | therapeutic on its own. A couple hours on the trail |
| body when you aerobically (get your heart rate up) | | | | isn't going to be a solution to some heavy problem, |
| exert yourself. They affect your brain in a manner | | | | but it will at least give you a break from it. It'll also |
| that allows you to feel less pain, reduce stress, | | | | get those endorphins flowing and maybe put you in a |
| strengthen your immune system, and even delay the | | | | better state of mind to attack your problems. I |
| aging process. You may have heard someone talk | | | | always feel invigorated and refreshed after a good |
| about getting a "runner's high" after a tough workout. | | | | session out on the trail. There's the cycler's high. |
| That is the result of the increased endorphin level in | | | | Road riding is something that has almost the opposite |
| the brain. It's a sweet feeling and it is not just | | | | affect as trail riding to me. I like to get out on the |
| reserved for "runners". You can achieve that feel | | | | open road and just ride. There seems to be more |
| from about any aerobic activity. The bottom line here | | | | time for thinking when I'm on my roadie. Not that I |
| is that regular aerobic exercise will help keep you | | | | don't have to pay attention to what I'm doing, it just |
| mentally healthy. You can't argue against that. | | | | isn't as intense as a trail ride. This is a great time to |
| I have become an avid bicycler over the last four | | | | really think through whatever is on your mind. The |
| years or so and there is not doubt in my mind that | | | | next thing you know you'll have ridden 30 miles. It's |
| regular riding helps keep my mind fresh. Granted I | | | | really a great experience. You're not going to solve |
| could probably get a similar result from about any | | | | the problems of the world, but you'll allow yourself |
| aerobic activity, but I feel that cycling has a few | | | | some time to work on it. The combination of aerobic |
| added benefits. I'm looking for that "cycler's high". | | | | activity and the wind in your face has a profound |
| First off, I ride in basically three separate "genres" of | | | | effect on how you see things. Everything seems |
| cycling. I commute to work, I trail ride on a mountain | | | | simple. If you're looking for a different perspective |
| bike, and I road ride on a road bike. Each has special | | | | this is the way to do it. It's easy to see how people |
| benefits to my mental health. | | | | get hooked on road riding. There's something almost |
| Let's talk about commuting to work. I love to ride | | | | intoxicating about the whole experience. Once you |
| my bike to and from work. The ride to work in the | | | | start you can't get enough. Again...the cycler's high. |
| morning really gets me going. It wakes me up. There | | | | These are my personal experiences of how cycling |
| is nothing that wakes you up more than getting your | | | | helps me keep my sanity. They are by no means the |
| heart rate up a bit. This is not a difficult ride, but it | | | | only way to benefit from getting on your bike. That's |
| gets the job done. The commute sort of jump-starts | | | | the beauty of it. Get out and ride in whatever way |
| my brain. The ride home after work gives me a | | | | you can and I guarantee you will get more than a |
| chance to wind down a bit. It helps to dissipate | | | | workout. |
| whatever stress had built up during the day and | | | | As always...Ride On. |