7 - The Therapy That Has Two Wheels: Why Cycling Is Your Brain's Best Friend

🚴‍♀️ "If I don't cycle for a few days, I tend to lose my mind." Discover how cycling became the ultimate mental health hack in this deeply personal episode. Learn why that rhythmic pedaling motion is like therapy for your brain, plus get six actionable tips to start using cycling as your mental wellness tool today.

Your therapy might just have two wheels.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:05):
Hey, everyone, welcome back to Ask the Pedalist. I'm a
kum and today we are diving into something deeply personal
but incredibly powerful, how cycling can transform your mental health.
You know, when people think about cycling, they usually focus
on the physical benefits stronger legs, better cardio, weight loss.
But what if I told you that the real magic

(00:26):
happens between your ears, that cycling might be one of
the most underrated tools for mental wellness. Today, I want
to share a story from my blog pedalmiweight dot com
about how cycling helps somebody get away from depression and
become their source of strength. Plus I'll give your practical
tips you can use starting today. Let me start with

(00:48):
a story that many of us can relate to. Picture
this a five year old kid wobbling on a borrowed
blue bike with one of those slow backed banana seats.
Dad's running alongside, keep peddling. Then suddenly that magical moment,
no more resistance from someone holding you, You're flying solo
for the first time. You don't forget any emotion as

(01:10):
exhilarating as the moment you start to peddle without any support.
It was a small victory looking back now, but all
those years ago. It was an astounding achievement. That freedom,
that pure joy. That's where it all begins. Soon after,
this kid was riding everywhere to the store, friend's house, school,

(01:30):
ten to fifteen mile trips without even thinking about it,
fully engage in writing and enjoying the freedom. Here's the
key in sight. Little did you know that cycling gave
his mind clarity. It would become a source of strength
and resilience in his adult life. Fast forward to the
early twenties. College is over, the real world hits, and

(01:51):
suddenly cycling takes a back seat. Sound familiar life gets heavy,
new job stress, relationship challenges, the weight of adulthood, depression,
and anxiety. Krepton, as the author, shares, I felt like
whatever path I was on, I was bound to meet failure.
I was searching for something to help me find my

(02:11):
inner strength and courage. This is where many of us
find ourselves at some point, disconnected from the things that
used to bring us joy, struggling with our mental health,
and feeling lost. Here's where the story gets interesting. Rediscovering
cycling wasn't immediate or easy. There was hesitation, self doubt,
physical challenges. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able

(02:34):
to keep up with my earlier self at put on
weight and change as a person. The author rights, but
here's what happened when they got on the bike. I
found that the physical exertion of cycling was a great
way to clear my mind and focus on the present moment.
As I continued to cycle, I began to feel more
confident and empower This isn't just feel good talk. There's

(02:57):
real signs here. When you're cycling, you are forced into
a rhythm. The monotonous peddling movement creates a meditative state.
You're taking deep breaths of fresh air, fueling your brain
with oxygen. Your mind starts to sort through its to
do lists, analyzing problems and finding solutions. As the author
puts it, the deep rits I take fuels my brain

(03:19):
with fresh natural air. All these combined to help my
mind come up with solutions to problems, putting my mind
at ease, reducing stress. I feel that if I do
not cycle for a few days, I do tend to
lose my mind, and I feel the problems piling up
in my head sound familiar. So what exactly is cycling

(03:40):
doing for your mental health? Let me break down the
key benefits. First, stress relief and problem solving. That rhythmic
peddaling becomes your brain's processing time. You're literally peddling through
your problems, finding clarity that seemed impossible when you were
sitting at your desk. Second, accomplishment and confidence. Every rate

(04:00):
is a small victory, whether you're aiming for a specific
speed distance or just making it up that hill. These
mini goals boost your conference and create momentum. Third, connection
with nature. When you're out on your bike, you are
taken in the beauty of the world around you. This
helps put things into perspective and reminds view of the
bigger picture. Fourth, it's your natural anti depressant. The combination

(04:24):
of physical activity, fresh air, and that sense of freedom
creates a powerful cocktail of mood boosting chemicals in your
brain and finally, balance. As the author discovered, cycling helps
you better manage stress levels and find inner peace. It's
not just exercise, it's moving meditation all right. Now, how
do you harness this power for yourself? Here are some

(04:47):
actionable tips you can use. Set realistic goals. Start with
time based goals rather than distance, maybe just twenty minutes
around your neighborhood. When you meeter exceed these goals, you
build conference yourself. Make it a ritual. Developing a regular
cycling routine helps keep your mental health in check. Make
it a priority, and protect that time like you would

(05:10):
any important appointment. Mix it up. Variety keeps your routine fresh.
Try new routes, different terrain, various distances. This keeps your
mind engaged and prevens boredom. Connect with others. Join a
local cycling club or find a friend to ride with.
This adds a social element that can boost the mental

(05:31):
health benefits even more. Challenge yourself progressively, push yourself to
reach new goals, but do it gradually. The sense of
growth and achievement is incredibly powerful for your mental state.
And don't forget to refuel after your ride. Treat yourself
to a healthy snack or meal. Taking care of your

(05:51):
body supports your mental recovery too. So what can you
take away from today's episode? Cycling isn't just about getting
from point A to point two, or even about physical fitness.
It's a powerful tool for mental wellness that's been hiding
in plain sight all along. You don't need expensive gear
or perfect weather or hours of free time. You just

(06:11):
need to start somewhere, even if it's been years since
you've been on the bike, even if you're feeling anxious
or out of shape. That first ride might feel awkward,
but remember you're not just exercising your body, you're exercising
your mind. As our story showed us, cycling can be
your releaser of stress and executor of plans. It can

(06:33):
help you find your inner strength, develop a positive mindset,
and create prebalance in your life. If you're dealing with stress, anxiety,
or just feeling mentally stuck, consider giving cycling a try.
Start small, be patient with yourself, and pay attention to
how you feel after each ride. That's a wrap for
today's episode. If you find this helpful, check out more

(06:55):
content at pettermaway dot com, where you'll find detailed guides
on getting started with cycling, bike selection, and much more.
Until next time, Rumber, Sometimes the best therapy has two
wheels and pedals. Get out there and ride away to
better mental health. Thanks for listening once again, and I'll
catch you on the next episode.