Lifting the mood

[JohnHenry]

I've often wondered whether the sheer joy of cycling lifts depression and I'd be interested in other's views on this.
How about you - do you feel elated when the wind rushes through on a country ride or does the grind of commuting to work and the bloody mindedness of other road users get you down?
As someone who is no stranger to Black Dogs of the real and virtual variety I'd be interested in other Cycle Chatter's experiences.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

As SAD induced black dog owner my answer is yes. I find any exercise, out of doors, lifts my mood. Commutting does have its downsides but all I can do is say 'I can't control their behaviour, but I can control how I react to it' and keep on going. Or take a break for a day or two, or ride home the really long way away from the traffic.

Trouble is, this time of year, with a shed full of bikes, I'm wracked with guilt when I don't ride them!

 

[al-fresco]

A 6 hour ride down quiet Shropshire lanes, no need to be anywhere special, doesn't matter how long it takes. Going light, buying a sandwich, stopping to take a few photos. Getting home tired, having a shower or a bath followed by a good 8 hours sleep. I don't think life gets much better.

 

[martint235]

I suffer from bad panic attacks that can keep me indoors for days at a time. When I stopped commuting by train and started using the bike every day I found that, although they haven't disappeared, they are much more manageable. Possible reasons are:

1. Less nervous energy as it has all been used up cycling
2. Time to rationalise. Whilst pedalling along, although I have to be aware of my surroundings, my brain can get on with rationalising fears.

So the answer is yes!!!

 

[JiMBR]

A 6 hour ride down quiet Shropshire lanes, no need to be anywhere special, doesn't matter how long it takes. Going light, buying a sandwich, stopping to take a few photos. Getting home tired, having a shower and a bath followed by a good 8 hours sleep. I don't think life gets much better.

Well said!

 

[Silver Fox]

Exercise induced endorphins certainly lift my mood. Bike riding is my passion, almost an addiction.

Whether its blasting across open country or a trail centre black run or just spinning, cycling for me is the best fix going. The black dog rarely visits me these days.

 

[tyred]

As someone prone to feeling down and depressed, I have found regular exercise has made a huge improvement to my mood. I always try and fit a ride in everyday, even if it's only the 3 1/2 mile trip "around the block." I feel so much better mentally for doing so.

 

[coffeejo]

I find that yes, it does: but like any form of "management", it has its limits. At my worst, I can't get out of the house, which is probably a good thing as I wouldn't be safe on a bike anyway, but on less bad days, I can go out for an hour or two and temporarily lift the clouds, even if it all descends again as soon as I get home. Whether its endorphins or not, I don't care. I just know that the rhythm of pumping the pedals pushes all thoughts and feelings out of my mind and body. Nothing else exists.

 

[brockers]

In my low moods, I find that getting out and doing any form of vigourous exercise is beneficial as it gives me the feeling that I've done something with my day and have made an effort. My muscles have been flexed and relaxed and that consequently leads to an all round feeling of well-being and relaxation.

However, I think the endorphin case is overstated. My understanding is that they are only produced at extreme levels of exertion; that they're essentially the body's natural painkiller, released in marathon runners when they hit 'the wall', for example. It's one of those terms that's been picked up by the popular press and mis-attributed to any slight elevation in mood.

When I hit short-lived episodes of proper depression (and having a diagnosed and long-standing 'vulnerabe and fragile personality disorder' means they happen fairly regularly), there ain't nothing that will shift it. I have to ride them out and wait for them to pass. That said, one of my bikes was named '5-HT' (stickers and all) - the symbol that pharmacologists give to Serotonin.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Oh I know that feeling so well.

I find that yes, it does: but like any form of "management", it has its limits. At my worst, I can't get out of the house, which is probably a good thing as I wouldn't be safe on a bike anyway, but on less bad days, I can go out for an hour or two and temporarily lift the clouds, even if it all descends again as soon as I get home. Whether its endorphins or not, I don't care. I just know that the rhythm of pumping the pedals pushes all thoughts and feelings out of my mind and body. Nothing else exists.

 

[coffeejo]

When I'm low, the best moments are either freewheeling downhill or for a double hit/rush, the satisfaction and relief of making it up a particularly horrible hill combined with it being the right shape to give my rubberlegs a rest while freewheeling down the other side.

 

[Fiona N]

...

However, I think the endorphin case is overstated. My understanding is that they are only produced at extreme levels of exertion; that they're essentially the body's natural painkiller, released in marathon runners when they hit 'the wall', for example. ...

They are produced during continued exercise at moderate levels as well - endurance events of several hours duration.

Probably why I always feel great at the end of a long ride when by rights I should be feeling knackered

I do find cycling - and in the past running too - lifts my mood. It's a whole load of reasons like being outside after being in the office, mental relaxation (compared to my work ), being in a lovely environment (but it still seems to work cycling through towns too - although that could be excitment/adrenaline - also produces endorphins), physical pleasure.

Oddly though, the only time I've had a really bad clinical depression, was during a period when I was cycling long and often at a high level. So it obviously only goes so far in 'lifting my mood'

 

[ttcycle]

It's an interesting one- I think that cycling can sometimes really help and lifts the mood no end but I've found cycling at the moment a bit difficult due to the issues Jo mentions upthread and if my energy levels are low to begin with cycling sometimes tires me further and sends me off on a serious downer.

I think it really is about listening to the body and mind at those times and seeing where you go with it.

Having a bit of a break and then coming back to two wheels is as equally satisfying!

 

[RedRider]

Yes. For me there've been times when I've felt ugly and mean with this horrible illness, scared to face the world, when I've felt unable to risk the possibility of even minimal social interaction. A moment always comes though, and the bike is there as a means of escape.

Maybe I feel more in control of my environment when on a bike. It accompanies me. I can move forward, stop if I want to, breeze past if I have to or turn around whenever I like. It's both a retreat and an advance. I'm outside but I'm protected. The bad stuff starts to blow away.

I don't know whether any of this makes sense to anyone else.

Thankfully, periods of depression are now fewer and further apart than they were in the past. I believe this is quite a common way for things to go. The bike has been a great help.

 

[RedRider]

[edited for double post]