Photo by Jonny Kennaugh on Unsplash
Today, cycling is one of the most overlooked activities, despite its unmatched health benefits.
This is probably because there are faster means of traveling and cities are becoming more congested, thus making it difficult to cycle.
However, riding a bicycle to work or just for fun should be perceived as more than a means of transport.
It is one of the healthiest activities you can engage in as an individual.
If you’re considering making that monthly gym subscription, just hold your horses and read this article. It could be time to dust that old bike you put away a few years ago or just get a new one.
5 Health Benefits of Cylcing 15 Minutes a Day
Mental Well-being
a lot of people grapple with depression, stress and anxiety, not knowing that the solution is to cycle all the ugly thoughts away. Cycling gives you an opportunity to clear your head as you enjoy outdoor scenery.
If you’re privileged to live or work in an environment with breathtaking natural sceneries, your chances of beating mental health problems increase. Statistics show that nature boosts people’s moods and general emotional health.
In addition, cycling requires concentration and coordination, especially in highly populated areas.
Therefore focusing on your cycling skills acts as a form of distraction, thus helping you clear your mind. In addition, cycling is considered a form of exercise which, like any other physical activity leads to the production of endorphins.
These are natural chemicals released in the brain and they’re considered natural painkillers which ease tension in the brain, thus leading to improved mental health.
Disease prevention
Do you come from a family of diabetics or are you afraid you might develop certain health complications in the future? It’s time to start cycling.
A lot of hereditary illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes and other non-hereditary diseases like a stroke can be prevented by frequent cycling.
Type 2 diabetes, for instance, can be prevented by burning sugars in the body.Cycling is a perfect way to burn sugars without limiting your food intake.
Stroke, on the other hand, can be caused by limited blood flow to the brain. When you cycle, you experience increased blood flow to every part of the body. As your legs strive to peddle the wheels, your body responds as if you’re running.
Your blood capillaries and vessels are opened up and they are able to pump more blood. This helps to prevent narrowing of arteries and more blood is transported to the brain.
Weight loss
Losing weight is one of the toughest tasks, especially for people who are naturally big-boned or obese. You might run on the treadmill for 60 minutes each day, humiliate yourself with burpees and killer weightlifting, only to find out you’ve added rather than lost weight.
This is mostly because when you burn energy after exercise, your body demands more energy.
With cycling, however, the weight loss process is gradual and you might not feel very hungry after cycling for 15 minutes, but will have lost calories.
It is believed that cycling for 15 minutes a day with high intensity will help you lose about 200 calories in a day, which is enough to kick-start your weight loss journey.
This may not be the most ideal way to lose weight but it’s definitely better than kale juice and lunch free days.
Good for the vital organs
To understand why cycling is extremely important for your organs, think of your body as a car or a machine When a car sits around without moving for a long period of time, its engine and other parts begin to depreciate, even though it does not experience everyday wear. Old and dirty oil builds up and its doors begin to cringe when opened.
Any part made of rubber will wear out over time and eventually, the battery will run out. If you try to start such a car after a few months, the chances of getting on the road using the same car are limited. Similarly, when your body sits around the office or at home without much physical activity, your organs are also affected. Your heart, liver and kidneys end working less thus leading to a build-up of toxins in the body.
Cycling however recharges these organs by pushing them to kick harder and faster. Your liver is able to get rid of toxins and your heart receives an adequate supply of blood thus preventing heart diseases.
Cycling is also recommended especially if your body produces high levels of lactic acid, Lactic acid is often produced after high-intensity workouts and it can lead to inflammation and painful workouts, The biggest challenge however presents itself when high levels of lactic acid sit around in the body.
They could eventuate in kidney problems. This is why cycling is a safer and healthier work-out option. Working out for 15 minutes will not lead to the production unmanageable amounts of the acids, yet you’ll enjoy other benefits presented by various exercising options.
Better Sleep
Quality sleep can be hard to come by due to several factors; old age, too much caffeine, stress, environmental factors or hormonal changes in the body.
Regardless of the causes, cycling can help you improve the quality of your sleep in a number of ways. First, you burn energy when you cycle. This, in return, causes fatigue which is necessary for a good night’s sleep. Second, your stress levels are well managed when you cycle.
The endorphin produced after work out also leads to a calming effect in the brain. In layman’s terms, this can be referred to as experiencing peace of mind. In return, you’ll be better inclined to sleep soundly regardless of your environment.
Bottom Line
the health benefits of cycling 15 minutes a day are inexhaustible. There are both long term and short term benefits but what stands out is the fact that you’re securing your future every time you take your bike for a ride.
Better organs, mental health and physical health do not come by for free. You have to actively do something to stay in great shape.
Cycling is just one of the exercising options available but with the added advantage of enjoying the beautiful outdoor environment.