A great form of exercise, cycling can also help with high levels of anxiety that so many of us are facing. Here’s how… 

Overly Connected
Today’s gadgets keep us constantly connected, which means more stress is lurking in our lives than ever before. Cycling is perfect to beat stress as it’s easy and fun and is an activity the entire family can enjoy.  

Shutting Off
Finding a way to shut off in order to get really good quality sleep is something we all want, but according to Professor Jim Horne from the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University, just by reducing regular sleep by just one hour every night can trigger a hike in the stress hormone cortisol, which can stave off deep, regenerative sleep. The end result is that it is even harder to fall asleep. One key solution is exercise and this is where cycling is so ideal. Outdoor exercising added benefits as it also helps get your circadian rhythm back in sync due to exposure to sunlight.  

Other Advantages
According to Author Professor Arthur Kramer, exercise basically increases blood flow which then boosts oxygen to your brain. The result is that the stress which makes your heart beat faster triggers uneven breathing patterns which can create a cycle of unhealthy breathing. Cycling, tells Kramer, actually forces you to normalize your breathing which ultimately helps stabilize stress.  

Cycling with a friend is also beneficial in curbing stress levels as a study from Harvard Medical School found that most friends boost their immune system and lessen their blood pressure simply by being together and sharing an activity. Researchers concluded that not having close friends could actually be as risky to the health as smoking.