Cycling can make you happier, healthier, and even smarter

Happiness and what causes it is different for everyone. However, it’s fair to say that for most of us, seeking happiness in our lives is a huge driving force. We all want to be happy. And to be happy, we have to be proactive. We have to seek it out and make positive changes within our lives to help achieve it. 

There are many things people do to feel happier, from spending time with loved ones to exercising regularly. Physical activity is a great mood booster and cycling has been hailed as one of the most effective physical activities for increasing happiness levels in people. 

In this article, we will be looking at why cycling makes us happier and the incredibly positive psychological effects. 

Cycling Increases Serotonin Levels 

You might not think it initially, but happiness starts in the brain. Our brains are incredible. They impact how we think and feel about the world around us. They trigger us to feel pain and to experience feelings of happiness, among so many other remarkable things. 

It’s the neurotransmitters in your brain that trigger you to feel different emotions and one of these neurotransmitters that affect your mood is called serotonin. People with high levels of serotonin are happier. 

According to Very Well Mind, “serotonin’s influence on mood makes it one of several brain chemicals that are integral to your overall sense of well-being […] Serotonin’s effect on mood is also why it’s often a target of medications that are used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.” 

In case you were wondering, cycling is a form of aerobic exercise that has been praised for its ability to increase serotonin levels in the body. This makes you feel happier while having the added benefit of increasing your physical health. 

Cycling Promotes Brain Growth 

It is a well-known fact that exercise can promote healthy brain growth. Surely that’s bound to make you happy. It only takes 10-30 minutes of exercise to benefit your brain and boost your mood for the day. 

The benefits of exercise on the brain’s development are very interesting. Regular aerobic exercise such as cycling doesn’t just increase the size of your brain, but it also helps prevent age-related degeneration by enlarging the part of the brain associated with learning and memory. 

According to Life Hack, “cycling can grow your brain in the same way it can grow your muscles […] By biking regularly, we double (or even triple) new cell production in our brains! It also increases neurotransmitter activity, allowing the regions of our brain to communicate more effectively; therefore, improving our cognitive abilities.” And all of these things make us feel happier! 

Cycling Benefits Our Wellbeing 

Mental health has taken a severe downturn in recent years. According to the Centers for Health and Healing, “depression is one of the most common mental health disorders, affecting an estimated 26% of adults in the U.S. alone.” 

People of all ages and life stages can struggle with their mental health and, depending on the severity of the symptoms, conditions such as depression and anxiety can have a significant impact on a person’s life. 

Cycling helps keep people happier by promoting a healthy, positive shift in mental wellbeing. As we mentioned above, cycling is a type of aerobic exercise that can increase levels of serotonin (our happy hormones) in the brain. 

As a result, cycling is a great form of exercise for those who have poor mental health as it can reduce anxiety, boost emotional wellness, and help people manage and respond to stress more healthily. 

Improving Sleep Quality 

Let’s face it, we all experience low moods and difficult days after a bad night’s sleep. That goes without saying. However, sleep deprivation can result in several serious effects, such as: 

• Anxiety and depression 
• High blood pressure 
• An increased risk of heart issues, such as heart attacks and heart disease 
• A higher chance of becoming diabetic or obese. 
• Poor judgment and an inability to think clearly
• An increased risk of road and workplace accidents. 

Many of the problems associated with sleep deprivation have a direct and serious impact on our mental health and wellbeing. Put simply, getting enough sleep is essential if you want to feel happier and the good news is that cycling can help! 

Cycling is a great exercise form as it gets your body moving and your heart pumping. As a result, cycling every day can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy a better quality of sleep. This will make you wake up feeling refreshed, happy, and ready to start your day! 

Final Words 

So, there you have it; why cycling makes us happier. We hope this article has encouraged you to explore cycling as a form of relaxation and exercise. As you can see, there are many benefits to cycling that could increase your happiness and overall quality of life. 

To support Momentum visit us on Patreon.