Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
I can't talk, it made me cry.....
The psychological benefits of cycling. (Or any exercise, really.)
- Thread starter Jon George
- Start date
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welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
For a period of about 6 years, ending a couple of years back, I was juggling a full-time job with eldercare responsibilities for my mum and both of my in-laws, all of whom had mental health/dementia issues to one degree or another. I was a 20 stone, middle-aged man with a lot of stress at work and next to no down time at home. I honestly think if I hadn't taken up cycling I would have had a heart attack or a breakdown years ago.
Sometimes I had to settle for just cycling around the block a few times, never being more than 10 minutes from home in case of an emergency call out, but the very fact of being on my own on the bike, away from all the stress for half an hour's "me time" was wonderful. As and when other relatives took their turn at caring duties, I started slipping away for days or half days with the car and going for rides with friends in more and more beautiful and interesting places. Cheddar Gorge, the Strawberry Line, the New Forest, the Isle of Wight, the Forest of Dean , Bristol to Bath Railway Path, the Cotswolds, etc .... and I could feel all the stress lifting from me.
My wife and I later both went part time, and with the passing of all our parents, life has settled down to a much more stress-free level. I now cycle not because I have to, but because I love it and I recognise just how good it is for me. Not only does it get you fit so that you can cope with stress better, but it actually reduces stress by taking your mind off things and/or giving you time to think things through on your own. For me, cycling time is quality time and something I cannot imagine ever giving up. I would recommend it to anyone suffering from stress as the perfect escape from the world and the perfect opportunity for a bit of freedom and "me time".
Sometimes I had to settle for just cycling around the block a few times, never being more than 10 minutes from home in case of an emergency call out, but the very fact of being on my own on the bike, away from all the stress for half an hour's "me time" was wonderful. As and when other relatives took their turn at caring duties, I started slipping away for days or half days with the car and going for rides with friends in more and more beautiful and interesting places. Cheddar Gorge, the Strawberry Line, the New Forest, the Isle of Wight, the Forest of Dean , Bristol to Bath Railway Path, the Cotswolds, etc .... and I could feel all the stress lifting from me.
My wife and I later both went part time, and with the passing of all our parents, life has settled down to a much more stress-free level. I now cycle not because I have to, but because I love it and I recognise just how good it is for me. Not only does it get you fit so that you can cope with stress better, but it actually reduces stress by taking your mind off things and/or giving you time to think things through on your own. For me, cycling time is quality time and something I cannot imagine ever giving up. I would recommend it to anyone suffering from stress as the perfect escape from the world and the perfect opportunity for a bit of freedom and "me time".
OP
OP
Jon George
Mamil and couldn't care less
- Location
- Suffolk an' Good
If this refers to the OP, then you'll see I answered that perplexing question a little later in the thread.
MattMM
Senior Member
- Location
- Southern suburbs of Glasgow
I used to do running (2-3x 10Ks per week) until I had my back injury end last year which led to me taking up cycling for rehab. Get similar benefits in terms of destressing and endorphins with both, the big benefit of cycling is that you can do it for longer (2-3 hours is pretty standard for me cycling now versus just under an hour tops running) plus get to see more scenery over longer distances, which makes it better overall.
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
I'm prone to worrying too much about about things that really aren't worth worrying about, and I can suffer a bit with low moods, especially in winter, a morning or afternoon out on the bike does wonders for both and helps keep me sane, my job is a manual one so work related stress isn't normally part of my day, but it can get very busy and I find the ride home is good to work the day out of my system, the ache I can get in my feet is normally gone by the time I get to the top of the first hill and after rushing about all day the ride home slows me down nicely, and of course the ride in means I arrive with a smile on my face, driving to work just isn't as good as riding.
