With this pandemic taking over the world, people have entirely quit their outdoor adventures or activities, which is not great for both their mind and body. However, there are quite a few things you can still do that will help you keep yourself healthy, hopeful, and cheerful during these times. If you are anything like me, then you are probably looking for different ways of making this quarantine not so dull. If so, then cycling is one of those things you should plan right now with your fam.
We all remember those childhood days when all we had was our cycles to get around. We used to spend hours cycling with our friends. Today, especially during these hard times, cycling is a great way to keep yourself healthy and motivated. In addition to this, there are quite a few reasons why you should go cycling. If you are interested in learning about them, be sure to check out this article until the end.
Strengthens Your Immune System
We all know for the fact that cycling is good for health, but how beneficial it actually is? According to different studies, as compared to couch potatoes, just half an hour of regular cycling can help you in staying fit. Several studies have documented that recovery in the fresh air and physical effort boosts the performance of the immune system. Moreover, outdoor adventures and exercising allow your retina to absorb more light. As a result, encouraging vitamin production and boosting the immune system. However, this can only be achieved in the long term, and you will notice slow progress if you take at least half an hour for cycling daily.
Combats Anxiety and Depression
Depression and anxiety are some of the significant mental health issues that can be reduced by regular bike riding. In addition to exercise, one of the primary reasons why people may feel less depressed is because of the pleasure cycling can bring. It is because just half an hour of cycling produces a large number of endorphins. A group of scientists conducted research studying the psychological effects of physical activity. They asked individuals to cycle outdoors for a set time. The results were impressive, which showed that different individuals and environmental factors also contribute to positive mental health.
Keeps You Motivated
One of the main benefits of planning cycling trips with friends and family is you are motivated to get going. If you plan a solo cycling trip, then maybe a cozy bed or an urge to sleep a little longer will not let you get out of your bed. But you cannot say no to your friends, right? So, decide one adventurous location and head to the venture. You will also need a bike rack when you are going to travel with your cycle. You can check out a bike rack best suited to your requirements from our Top 10 Best Hitch Bike Racks of 2020 – Thrill Appeal. Some friendly competition is another way to keep motivated. Gadgets like power meter crankset and fitness trackers are great for logging your numbers and monitoring your progress. The one with the best results wins a prize that you all agreed on and some much-deserved bragging rights!
Helps You With Back Pain
Back pains are the result of weak torso muscles. Incorrect posture or poor exercise habits can weaken these muscles. For a stable and healthy back, the small muscles between the vertebrae are extremely important. And how can you strengthen these muscles? Yes, through regular cycling and strength training. However, here it is essential to keep the posture right. Your upper body should lean forward a little so that the body’s center of gravity is maintained. Plus, the repetitive pedaling action can drastically ease chronic back pain.
Promotes Weight Loss
When it comes to weight loss, your calories out must surpass calories in. It means your body should burn more calories than it consumes. Depending on your weight and intensity, if you cycle for an hour approximately, then on average it will burn between 400 and 1000 calories.
Gives You a Sense of Freedom
Arguably, the best thing to experience right now is a sense of freedom, and cycling with your fam out on the road offers you precisely that. In addition to helping you build high self-esteem, it also fosters self-awareness. It allows you to escape the tension and let you have a good day away from the stress, giving you an incredible sense of freedom.
Conclusion
Let us agree; we might not have seen our friends from days, and we all miss being in a group. Therefore, what you should do now is to call your friends and decide on a cycling trip. It will help you keep yourself fit, motivated, and mentally healthy. You can totally do this by following social distancing. All you need to do is to get your protective gear along with you on this trip.
