Biking for the mind and soul

Bicycling offers lots of great benefits. It’s an excellent source of exercise, burning calories and toning the muscles by the mile. Bicycling can be used as transportation to get around or simply riding for the fun of it. The best part is it’s something that you can do at virtually any age.

Perhaps the greatest benefit is not for the body or joy of the ride, but for the mind and soul. Biking offers an escape from your life, even if it’s just for a short while. It offers an escape from your burdens, to do list, Facebook  and work. For that short window of time, you’re pedaling down the road with nothing but open road ahead…..you’re free.

You’re free to think through or forget about all your worries in life. You can choose to simple just ride or  work through your thoughts and come to terms with your challenges in life.  When you’re out there all alone there’s no one to interfere or cast judgment as you work through your thoughts.

A friend of mine said it best when he said “I go biking for the mind and mountain biking for the soul”.

He explained when you’re on the open road with nothing but miles of time in front of you with no other distractions from life, it allows you time along with yourself to really work through your thoughts and feelings and make decisions about the biggest or smallest things in life.

When you’re mountain biking you have to really focus on the terrain and what is coming up ahead, which commands more attention. Because you’re so focused on the trail you don’t have time to think about your problems in life. Your mind is focused on one thing which is really healthy for the soul to step away from your burdens and problems you’re facing in life, even if it’s just for a short while to escape and empty your mind and only think about the task at hand.

You don’t have to take up biking as a sport to achieve an escape. Many activities can accomplish the same thing.  It could be jogging, walking, gardening, painting, playing sports, reading a book, listening to music, or your favorite hobby. The point is you can choose to lose yourself or find yourself in anything.

If you don’t have something in your life that offers this escape for you, I would encourage you to find something you enjoy doing. Spend time doing.something on at least a weekly basis and you’ll find more joy in life, have less anxiety within, and more love for life itself.

Article source: https://www.danskarie.com/blog/biking-for-the-mind-and-soul

Author: Dan Skarie

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