Mental Fitness

[chillyuk]

Some interesting comments. Chilly UK - what do you mean "keep taking the tablets".

In response to one of your opening questions "what do you do to maintain and improve your mental performace" my reply was a somewhat pathetic attempt at humour, and as someone who has occasional bouts of mental health problems, not a million miles from the truth. I find exercise, either cycling or walking a great psychological booster.

 

[Styopa]

In response to one of your opening questions "what do you do to maintain and improve your mental performace" my reply was a somewhat pathetic attempt at humour, and as someone who has occasional bouts of mental health problems, not a million miles from the truth. I find exercise, either cycling or walking a great psychological booster.

Thanks for that - there is good evidence for improved mental health with exercise so keep up the cycling and walking.

 

[ttcycle]

Styopa- welcome to the forum!

Just quickly replying, haven't had a chance to read all of it thoroughly.

Yoga is great for flexibility and generally relaxing the mind as you have to concentrate on breathing whilst doing the poses- if you get properly into it it can be very strenuos and not an easy option as many people seem to mistakenly think! Great for stretching out after a long ride.

For mental fitness - when I was training I read this book called The complete Guide to sport motivation. It was bascially about getting your mind used to doing an activity - I'd really recommend it - It helped me learn to swim by sheer brain power and determination- I nearly drowned when I was a kid but mental exercises got me pushing myself and it's great for keeping motivated if you're training for cycling in any way.

However in regards to the swimming with any skill esp mental strength is keeping at it = I think the fear has settled in a bit and I need to keep working on it.

 

[Zoiders]

"Mental Fitness" sounds a bit Uri Geller for my tastes, a bit of psuedo science suggesting that being some kind of genius makes you a better cyclist or vice versa.

Keep riding in winter, that's the best way to harden yourself mentaly, just as ttcycle suggests.

There is no on paper excercise or excercise that you can do in your head that replaces actual training, no easy fix, no cheat.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

as someone who has occasional bouts of mental health problems, not a million miles from the truth. I find exercise, either cycling or walking a great psychological booster.

+1

 

[montage]

so do you think you can be mentally "fit" if you aren't physically?

 

[chillyuk]

so do you think you can be mentally "fit" if you aren't physically?

Absolutely!

Ask Stephen Hawkin.

 

[Captain]

I think Mental Fitness is a big part of my cycling.
I had a car related off-bike-experience on friday (no actual contact though) and I think it has actually made me more confident in my ability to handle my bike and other road users stupidity.
Because I am always amongst fast moving traffic I would be going no where fast if I tried to get out of everyones way or go to pavements and crossings for all the junctions on my commute.
Theres also the Performance side of things.
Theres a particularly annoying hill on my way back home of an evening that I wasnt sure I could get up when I first tried it, now I feel I can do it, I know I have done it, so now I reach the top each time. I dont think its actually getting physically easier though!

 

[Styopa]

For me it is a diet of off road cycling, pootling on road when the weather is good, fettling the fleet, train+bike commutes, the odd turbo session, and a spot of visualisation and reflection on what worked on two wheels last year and what worked less well.

Getting outdoors and moving about, is, for me, compulsory if I am to keep my SAD at bay.

I think that is a good point.

 

[Styopa]

Styopa- welcome to the forum!

Just quickly replying, haven't had a chance to read all of it thoroughly.

Yoga is great for flexibility and generally relaxing the mind as you have to concentrate on breathing whilst doing the poses- if you get properly into it it can be very strenuos and not an easy option as many people seem to mistakenly think! Great for stretching out after a long ride.

For mental fitness - when I was training I read this book called The complete Guide to sport motivation. It was bascially about getting your mind used to doing an activity - I'd really recommend it - It helped me learn to swim by sheer brain power and determination- I nearly drowned when I was a kid but mental exercises got me pushing myself and it's great for keeping motivated if you're training for cycling in any way.

However in regards to the swimming with any skill esp mental strength is keeping at it = I think the fear has settled in a bit and I need to keep working on it.

P
Thanks - I'll have a look at the book you mention. Thanks for the welcome - should have joined years ago. Personality wise I have a tendency to "do it tomorrow" - such is life.

 

[Styopa]

"Mental Fitness" sounds a bit Uri Geller for my tastes, a bit of psuedo science suggesting that being some kind of genius makes you a better cyclist or vice versa.

Keep riding in winter, that's the best way to harden yourself mentaly, just as ttcycle suggests.

There is no on paper excercise or excercise that you can do in your head that replaces actual training, no easy fix, no cheat.

 

[ttcycle]

Styopa- did you get a chance to read the book?

I think Zoiders misread what I posted - how you think and feel is essential to doing well in cycling or sport. You have to feel confident and think something mentally...nothing Uri Geller about it at all.

Let me know how you get on!

+1 for all the comments about exercise/cycling improving mental health - sheepishly I admit I need to get out on the bike a bit more