As countries ease off social distancing measures, more and more people are able to return to work and get back to a more normal pace of living. However, there are still recommendations in place for people to avoid using public transport unless absolutely necessary. With this in mind, many have taken to cycling to get from A to B. In fact, in the south-west of the US, the number of people out on their bikes has increased by over 100% according to the National Association of City Transport Officials.
The great thing about cycling, other than being able to get where you need to go without getting too close to your fellow commuters, is that it’s a great form of exercise and could improve your health in several ways.
Increased Fitness
Cycling is excellent cardiovascular exercise and can help you burn around 400 calories an hour. In fact, it can get your heart rate up almost as much as going for a hearty run. It also helps to work out your core, legs and glutes, building up stronger muscles, while still being low impact, meaning that it puts very little stress on your joints.
It can also help reduce your risk of certain diseases such as strokes, high blood pressure and heart attacks by strengthening your heart muscles, reducing blood fat levels and lowering your resting pulse. A recent survey in New Zealand found a 13% reduction in early death rates for those who cycle to work compared to drivers.
Better Mental Well-Being
All exercise is beneficial for mental health as it releases endorphins. However, combining exercise with the experience of being outdoors, cycling has been proven to improve your overall mood and reduce stress. It has also been found that exercise such as cycling or running may play a role in preventing dementia later in life. This is because cycling may help to build new cells in the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for memory.
Deeper Sleep
Those who don’t exercise regularly are more likely to have interrupted sleep. Not only does exercise reduce stress levels, a common cause of poor sleep, but it also improves the quality of sleep, increasing the amount of deep sleep you get at night. Deep sleep is what is needed for both the brain and your body to rejuvenate themselves at night.
The world is still working to control COVID-19. Why not take this time to dust off your old cycle helmet and get back into the saddle for your health, happiness and to help keep public transport services safe for those who really need them?