Bicycling is one of the most popular personal outdoor activities in the world. There’s even an entire city in The Netherlands where getting around requires two feet and a bike seat. In Chicago, riding a bike can take you through city streets, bucolic parks, or well-trod mountain and lakeside trails.
For bicyclists like Dove Kelley, a Chicago native, there’s more to the activity than just pedaling; there are remarkable benefits to bicycle riding that many don’t consider.
Benefits for the Body
With a job that requires her to look her best, Dove appreciates the benefits of bicycling on the body. Riding a bike is a form of exercise, and whether you bike recreationally for fun or strenuously to “feel the burn,” the benefits of biking on the body are enormous. Not only does bicycling burn calories to aid in weight loss, but it also builds and tones muscles most people don’t use day-to-day. Bicycling also improves cardiovascular fitness, reduces stress, strengthens bones, and improves joint mobility. Even if your aim isn’t to lose weight, the health benefits of riding a bike can help increase longevity, mind-body fusion, and overall health.
Benefits for the Mind
Dove can tell you that life is stressful enough without the added stress of having a career in professional customer service. Riding a bike isn’t just good for your body; it’s also proven to improve the mind. No, you aren’t going to suddenly know something you didn’t know before, but there’s more to mindfulness health than just learning. Studies show that exercise, especially outdoor exercise, can increase blood flow to the brain, allowing for stress relief, releasing euphoria-inducing endorphins, and mitigating anxiety caused by triggers and stressors at home or work.
Bicycling also helps build self-esteem. With every mile crossed and every positive change in the body, you will feel more confident and more at home in your body, which thrives in the mind.
Benefits for the Soul
Switching off the screen, pushing away from your desk, and purposefully getting outside isn’t just good for your health and mindfulness but also for the soul. Fresh air, quiet, and pushing your body to the limits are essential to finding a connection to the soul you cannot find sitting behind a computer screen, being buffeted by crowds, or running from meeting to meeting.
When you’re bicycling, you’re not just getting out of the office; you’re getting out of your own head and allowing the outdoors inside, where nature can be at its most beneficial. Riding lakeside trails, biking up Wilmot Mountain, or even taking a leisurely ride through Grant Park allows you to stop the freight train of daily stress and breathe free. There’s nothing better for the soul than tackling the body, replenishing the mind, and finding a moment of peace from all the busyness of life.
Dove Kelley has made bicycling an essential part of her daily routine, which allows her to manage her stress, stay healthy, and enjoy the things in life that bring true insight and empowerment. Bicycling isn’t for everyone. But choosing to add bicycle riding to your life can only benefit you in all the ways you need it the most.
