Hi Si such a great video I have suffered with clinical depression for over 10 years I also have P.T.S.D . ( to the point I have tried to end my own life.) I brought a cycle and sold my car so I had to use my bike to get to and from work, Even though I’ve been knocked off a few times I still love cycling. I really does help I’m not the fittest bloke and there are time I stop cycling for a month or two when thing get down but I always return to cycling and fall in love with the sport all over again. I still cycle to work most days and cycle with a club on the weekends I find I can forget all my worries and just take in the scenery which put a smile on my face even in bad weather. It means a lot that you guys covered this topic and I hope I will help many people out there with mental illness So thank you, love the channel keep up the good work 💕
If I feel a bit low going outside for a ride is cool, blows the cobwebs away. but if I'm really feeling stressed about something and need to switch off I go on the trainer and totally wipe myself out...it's like hitting a reset button
My side of the cycling helped my mental health story would take too long, but I have one great example. In 2010, I had lost my job, had my then wife of 14 years file for divorce, and broke my road bike (and only bike) within four months. I had a friend with multiple bikes allow me to borrow one of his road bikes for the rest of the season. I am not a climber, but I don't run from hills because you don't get better by just training your strength. One day when all I could think about was how did everything fall apart and how am I going to make it through this unbelievably emotionally painful time, I was on a hilly ride trying to get up a hill with sections at 10% to 14%. In the middle of this crank bending climb, it came to me out of "nowhere" that I was going to get through this difficult period in my life the same way I'm going to get up this climb, one pedal stroke (or one step) at a time. To this day, whenever I get down and think how am I going to make it through this next challenge, I remember that moment on that hill.
I was going through a rocky relationship which didn't end well. Cycling to school once or twice a week which was 2 hrs away from home somehow kept me sane. Running from time to time has also helped with coping with the long term illness and loss of my parents. I feel the more intense the exercise, the more you focus on the physical pain and exertion than the emotional. It has a meditative effect by taking the focus off of the storm. The alternative is to be eaten alive or consumed by what's going on inside your head. Eventually it became a fun leisurely activity. ^_^ When I was at my very worst, it bought me time so I wouldn't end up in a dangerous place. If you miss a dose of biking/running, you get reminded sooner or later.
@@mumblecake251 you clearly didn't understand what this comment actually means not one of gcns guys are anywhere near over weight they are completely the opposite
I'm starting to notice that GCN has been producing uber 'Science' videos lately with Si. Class-leading investigative works where you interviewed experts on cycling's effect on men's sexual health (Dr. Anthony Koupparis), city cycling and pollution (Dr. Enda Hayes and Dr. Audrey de Nazelle), and now this. Gigantic effort. You deserve every praise from me.
Science with Si. Love that earnest and eager student mindset Simon adopts when reporting on topics along the lines of how cycling impacts our lives as a whole.
and it was produced a year before the worst epidemic both in physical and mental health in modern era which resulted in booming of this hobby, who knew!
I have to give it up to you guys, I thought this channel's content would plateau (after all you can only make so many "5 worst climbing mistakes" videos) but you keep striving to reach further, improving cinematography and storytelling. This video and the 10.000 calories ride have been superb. I enjoy them even more than the GCN Show. You're really onto something here. Keep it up!
I grew up in a conflict zone in the Nothern Part of Kenya in East Africa.. For many years I suffered Depression, PTSD, and anxiety. When I was young, my big brother bought me a bike and cycling saved me. It's been long since I cycled but watching your channel, just watching you guys bike has relaxed me immensely, for that reason saving up to buy a bike and get more mentally stable .... the best part is I am a psychological Counsellor now.
Survived a helicopter crash in the military in 2007, resulting in a severe brain injury, multitude of broken bones, paralysis, with depression and anxiety. I self medicated with alcohol for years, and hit rock bottom during the COVID pandemic. When the hangover wore off, I started riding my hand cycle. I'm off most of my meds, lost over 50 pounds, have cycled in multiple marathons and races as well as group rides with other warriors with visible and invisible wounds. It has saved my life. I'm riding to a better life for my wife, my kids, and for myself. Cycling is the best medicine.
I’m a middle aged man, and 1 year ago, I started riding. I was a bit overweight, under a lot of stress and felt lethargic. I can confirm that cycling has made me physically healthy (with knock on effects like eating better and drinking less alcohol since the opposite would result in unenjoyable rides) but as importantly, I handle stress way better. I was even once at work during a particularly stressful event and instead of wallowing with the aftermath, I took a break and went for a ride, and the stress just melted away. Also, if I do an early morning hard ride (e.g. a good climb), the more I am focused at work for the rest of the day. Honestly, it feels like cycling has saved my life- or in the very least, my quality of life. It should be said that I live in Southern California where the climate is good for cycling year round.
I'm far from middle aged (unless you ask my SO), but I was very overweight in my 20's and can confirm all those things in my experience as well. I have a small baby girl at the moment, so cycling time is hard to come by, but when I do get out on the bike it's like a recharging of the batteries, and it doesn't even take that long - even my 30 minute ride to work, I like to sprint for a few sections and maintain a high average speed where I can (even trying to overtake cars occasionally ;) is like a happy moment before the day starts.
I’m 55, new to serious workout riding (indoor mostly during a Canadian winter), and can say I mirror everything you say. I would say that I am gravitating towards better eating habits and less drinking, not solely because of the anti-effect on rides, but just because I don’t feel as inclined to indulge as much, or I seem to have more quality / interesting things to do.
@@morosis82 There is a solution for that. Bike trailor for your little one. Perfect training instrument as well because of the extra weight. My two year old daughter loves it and has good naps in there ;)
@@mumblecake251 yeah I think I'm going to have to upgrade to the double model, the 3yo loves it but haven't been out with the little one yet. Have been thinking about getting a cargo style e-bike for that purpose, it's a bit hilly where I live.
12:05 Am I the only one who thought, "Christ, Si's gone 'full geek' and then "I wonder if he's parodying academics"...? PS: in 2012, I was fat and borderline suicidal. I quit grad school when I fantasized about hurling myself off a bridge on the way to University. Afterwards I just rode my bike until I found a new job. Bikes changed my life, man.
Hmmm interesting. I find too that my hamster wheel is going non-stop on easy zone-2 rides, but the longer I ride, the slower the hamster wheel is turning. I found that on some really long rides (150km+), especially on a nice summer day, I reach this sort of sincere, relaxed mental state. When I arrive back home I feel utterly relaxed and happy. Sometimes this works better for me than taking a full week of holiday!
Definitely struggle with mental health in our Canadian winters because my activity level drops so much! Got myself a trainer this year because one of your videos came up in my reccomend from RUclips vids. Now riding every day and I'm loving it! Feeling great, sleeping great, eating great and healthier! Thanks GCN! Keep up the great work!
As someone who suffered with untreated PTSD for years, when I finally got help, I returned to my love of cycling. My doc is convinced that my recovery was hastened due to the bike. It gives distraction from my thoughts, something exciting to look forward to and motivation to try harder. Thank you for putting this video up. It helps validate what so many of us know.
To echo the reverse. I can track the decline of my own mental health back to when i stopped riding my bike If I look back. I went through a 3 year period after my bike was stolen where i didn't have a bike and in that time i think my mental health as well as my phsyical health declined a lot. I also ended up with injuries and that further made it all worse. All came to a head thsi year at the beginning with a big dive into depression after a panic attack (I have a lot of other depressing shit happen worse than a bike beign nicked whcih contributed but I didn't help myself at all). Getting back on the bike and excercising again (amongst other things) has been a good way to beat back my anxiety fears and depression. Its given me back that joy i was missing from being alive!
I started cycling a year ago, and i notice that i become less stressed with my job, marriage etc. Even just by commuting to work i become more happy, less stressed, even get a promotion on top of that. The thing is, it is become addictive. 1-3 days without cycling, i got anxious, and become easily angered. Anyway, great video! Now i know that its not just myth, it is proven that cycling makes you happy.
As an experienced mental health nurse, life coach and keen cyclist and mountaineer, I certainly can testify that physical activity, (cycling, trekking, running etc) certainly does have long term benefits on mental wellbeing and the reduction in stress. Particularly if you include mindfulness into the activity, i.e rather than going full power all the time, learn to also slow down (best done once you go full gas for a period), take in the environment and become aware of your own thoughts and emotions whilst engaging in the physical activity. Since 2006, I have worked independently from the NHS. This has enabled me to provide treatment and interventions that have a physical element built into each person's plan. I recognise that I am in a unique position to witness first hand the overwhelmingly positive effects sport related activities, based in the outdoors, have on people’s mental wellbeing. I am not an academic and do not claim to possess the qualities these individuals have obtained; however, I know what I have witnessed. Engaging in a sport-related physical activity over a prolonged period of time does provide a positive impact upon mental wellbeing regardless of the severity. Often in times of serious mental distress, one important element that appears to fade away when distressing thoughts take over is the disconnection with nature’s natural biorhythms. Through a range of sport-related activities like cycling, running, kayaking, walking and hiking people get to go to places they would not see in a car. They come into contact with a diverse natural environment that isn’t easily accessible by road, air or railway. People reconnect both internally and externally; they feel “alive” again. It may be fair to say that human beings in the Western World now spend long periods confined in concrete buildings far away from remote and wild places. Perhaps we have lost touch with our symbiotic relationship with the very ground we walk. Many academics argue that this disconnection with nature causes an imbalance in the mind and dis-ease occurs. It is not uncommon for participants who turn up on one of my activities I deliver, not to communicate or respond in an open friendly manner to either their peers or staff. By the end of the activity, the same people are talking, laughing and sharing their experiences. Now that's priceless.
Great video and great insight, issues that affect us all on some level. I was on medication for anxiety for 9 years, in 2017 I started a daily mindfulness practice, and late 2017 started cycling. In 2018 I came off medication and kept cycling and have been feeling the best I've ever felt as an adult. For anyone struggling seek help and never give up, there's always something else to try and someone else to help. ❤️
As a scientist, I really appreciate the effort that GCN is putting for to translate research to the lay public. Translating science is not easy and the channel has gotten much better about carefully educating the viewers. This is great stuff, keep it up!
Well. This is indeed one of the most important, informative health videos not just from GCN, button RUclips in general. Excellent tone and content. Big thanks to Si, Oxford and the GCN team for this production.
This post was extremely helpful, and gives scientific support to the importance of exercise, cycling, in our lives. Movement, circulation and time of reflection...Truly self care. Well done!!
Fantastic video, thank you to everyone at GCN as well as the Universities for putting this together. There are so many young men with mental health issues who don't seek help. The more we can do to normalise talking and doing things about mental health the better.
There's a similar enterprise in Australia called the 'Mens Shed' organisation that is basically just a place where guys can go to shoot the shit, get their hands dirty with some woodwork, fixing stuff, all sorts of things. The premise behind it is to get them together and talking about what they're struggling with, and get help if they need it. I can envision something similar with a cycling group, for those that way inclined.
I agree, shorter high intensity laps of my local quiet roads each around 90 mins are like medicine for the mind and soul, 3-4 per week is just perfect. Love the gcn does science content!
I was suffering from heart palpitation and anxiety for more than year. The first time I tried cycling at home all the symtoms disappeared and my life turn to normal. Thank God and GCN
I take my hat off to these series of videos. As a psychologist and as a cyclist I couldn't get more touched by a video. I firmly believe that to be a cyclist implies to be conscious of such things and for sure this scientific outreach would help some people to take another look onto their bikes and their exercise habits. Go on guys you are in the right direction
I have battled with a really difficult depression and anxiety through my teenage years. After years with no motivation fior anything, one day I pulled myself up on the bike again for just a small ride and it felt awesome. Since then it just moved forward and today I have never felt better and I am completely out of my depression. Obviously there are many factors that have helped me out, but I’m pretty sure cycling has been one of the biggest. Not only does it give me a mental break, mindfulness and awesome experiences, it also give me a lot of self esteem.
A million times yes! I have suffered with SAD since my teens, but have had the best winter of my life since getting a smart trainer and doing regular rides on Zwift (3-5 per week). A consistent sleep schedule and less booze have helped, but I’m going to attribute the biggest mood boost to exercise. Thanks GCN for turning me on to Zwift and helping me get through the winter blues with flying colors!
Hey guys! I'm writing my thesis on the effects that HIIT (one session on the rowing machine the other on a bike) has on executive control and goal-directed eye movements and I absolutely loved hearing Prof. Geddes talk about this! Definitely going to cite his work! Keep up the good science!
Good to see John Geddes back - hes looking bloody good for 82, and no scouse accent. Just shows, winning a bronze medal in Melbourne, on the track 4000m pursuit has certainly reduced his stress levels - looking good John !
first sorry for my english i will do my best ;p so i had rectal cancer before it i was cycling and going to gym alot i did well with surgerys and chemotherapy sadly chemo and location of the cancer did make my toilet a huge problem thats when i had to stop gym and cycling cuz i basicly didnt know when i will have to go to toilet i was doing my best on indoor trainer and i stoped i dont know why and that was the time when it all started toilet got worse everybody was wondering whats going on and then i did recognise that i have huge depression i lost all my will to live im on antidepressats now when i started from small walks and small cardio on indoor trainer (have problem with lossing waight so cant do anything long that will burn too much calories) but i can say one thing it is helping me more then the pills i was perfect with my head aslong i could train so yeah if u have problems with depression dont sit next to PC like i did just move your A** Thanks GCN for motivation and videos like that ! you are all great ppl i hope i will get better one day with toilet and i will be able to meet u all on some GCN event !!!
It is clear that you have some serious challenges to overcome, though it seems that you are slowly finding a pathway to overcome them. Namely, to get back to doing physical activity. I am happy to read that this video has helped to motivate you and would like to further encourage you to keep on going. Forget what you might have been able to do in the past. Rather, think about things in terms of who and where you are now as a human being and begin to build up on that. Remember, your past self did what they did without having to face what you are now facing. Today, whatever progress that you can make means that you are that much better than what you were before. This way of thinking about things not only helps in overcoming diseases and injuries, but applies to aging. One’s PBs set when they were in their 20’s have no relevance to those set in their 50’s, other than to prove to oneself that with work and determination, we can always be better, until we reach our limits. What is important is to probe those limits, to do so is good for the mind and the body. All the best, take care.
Particularly when I am stressed, a good outdoor ride regardless of the weather clears the head and resets the soul to address what ever issues are at hand.
I have always found that getting on my bike to ride home after a mentally tough day at work is a game changer. You can quickly forget and refocus on enjoying life.
Definitely helps to separate the work day from family day. I like to smash myself on the way home, it's only about 30 mins or so but it has such a great effect (once I eventually catch my breath).
I have mental health issues that I have learned to live with and on those rough days I've found that simply getting on me bike and taking a ride definitely helps me. Thanks for touching on this issue and a super big thumbs up to Si and Chris!!! GREAT VIDEO GUYS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND THANK YOU!!!!!! CHEERS
It's May 2021 and we're well into our 2nd year of COVID-19. A lot has happened since this video has come out. My mental and physical health outlet is horseback riding and everything involved with it including my therapeutic horseback riding volunteering, helping adults and children on the Autism spectrum or other mental health issues and/or muscular and/or neurological disorders. Seeing the kids and adults progress on "800 to 1500 pounds of 'I don't have to listen to you!'" is wonderful, let alone all the benefits of being around other extremely sentient creatures. I'm hardly the knowledgeable bicyclist you folks are, but after 40 years around horses off and on "I know a thing or two." I'm just starting to get back into cycling for exercise again at the age of 54 (that came up fast) and I pray that just like you folks get your "high" from riding your bikes at intensive levels and/or for simple quiet recreational purposes to "zone out," I hope I eventually get there too. There's just nothing to compare with suddenly being taken to a different level of consciousness where realities and perspectives change for the good.
Thank for all you do, I was just send by a dr to a psychiatrist because of possible depression signs, unable to sleep, irritable quick snapping and so on, next day I went for an 80-kilometer ride and help me so much to relax.
As a person who suffers from depression and anxiety cycling is literally the main thing that pulls me out of the seriousness of the feelings. I can literally just commute and I have a smile on my face. Cycling is the only thing that brings us back to the initial achievements of being a child I believe. Cheers GCN
I have suffered from depression for 25 years and have taken a lot of different medication to control it. Took up cycling 11 years ago and within 2 years come off the meds. I find as long as I do some hard efforts within the ride I,m fine. Just 2 days off the bike and I can feel the dark clouds coming back. A slow social ride will not do the trick, so what ever happens I got to make sure to work hard. Thank you Si for bring this out in the open. Ride on to put a smile to your face.
I spent many years battling addiction and I was at a point that I no longer found inspiration ... I began cycling and it completely changed my life...I encourage anyone that suffers from unhealthy habits to go outside, tap in with nature and find your purpose.. We all have a purpose and we all deserve to smile.. 😊
Thank you for adressing this very important issue. One should really not decrease the level of exercise bellow a certain level when the number of tasks/work increases. For me, if I do not exercise for a week, I sort of start feeling down, even if there is not a set of reasons that I can identify as explanations. Also, I feel that going for a ride outdoors, specially when it´s a sunny winter day, is about the greatest thing one can do!
Thank you for this video. I've suffered with mental health issues of and on for years and cycling has been invaluable in helping me keeping some kind of equilibrium. It's so good to see this subject tackled with sensitivity, and to properly engage with scientific research in a patient and measured way. You're doing something with a real public benefit here and I'm grateful to you.
If you guys thought this was important, you're wrong. It is MORE than important. Thank you for speaking to an issue that is all to often kept inside and personal. Don't be afraid, it isnt a weakness, it is strength to come forward and deal with it. I know I have fought with this for twenty years before I realised it was an issue. Keep up this awesome content.
Thank you so much for this video. Currently suffering from depression and it’s taken a lot of changes to start getting me back on track. But I started training for the triathlon season and well on my indoor bike I found when I finished I got that hit of endorphins making me feel amazing. My new job is working in mental health and I’m looking into how exercise helps. So this was a great video to watch. Keep up the good work 👍
I definitely have cycling to thank for a turn around in mental health. Around three years ago I was having a really tough time at work, I enjoyed my job but got stuck in a rut and had a very stressful situation cause me to become depressed and I suffered from anxiety, albeit mild but I have absolutely no doubt that cycling helped me to deal with it through high intensity exercise or just getting out in the countryside and getting away from it all. I always felt so much better after being on the bike. I now have a new job I absolutely love and a great group of cyclist friends to go with it. Happy days! Thanks GCN for talking about this subject. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with mental health to take up cycling 100%
I think every cyclist out there identifies with Si when he said when your riding along within your limits you still have thoughts running through your brain, but as soon as he pushes himself he enters that zone !! That zone is a amazing place I find it so addictive ! Great vid GCN .... I only wish my zone was 425watts !
I've suffered from PTSD for 30 years this caused all kinds of physical changes including severe allergic reactions. I was diagnosed with PTSD in early 2018 and changing my diet and getting a strict training plan has changed my life. I just wish I could afford better kit so I could keep getting better and better PB's. It would have been much better if GP's could put the pieces together a little bit earlier fitness has helped me through many tough times but cycling has been especially beneficial. Great video GCN and thanks for all the insight from all the team brilliant channel, you are simply the best.
Lads , genuinely one of the best , supportive , and helpful vids you have ever made. I suspect a lot of people have had a think during that 23 mins and a few will have decided to address issues all to familiar . Credit to si , the very clever boffins and the channel for addressing with such empathy and care
Thanks GCN and Si for putting up this video, recently i have been suffering from stress and depression from office workload. I had started cycling 4 years back, but stopped due to laziness and office schedule, but you just gave me a way out. Thanks again for this video. You guys always rock. Am a big fan of Si, the way he deals with complex things in a simplified way. Cheers guys 🍺🍺
One of the trickiest parts of the balance between stress and exercise is that we convince ourselves we are "too busy" to get out. I've made that excuse to myself many times. However, even going out for a quick 30 minute spin VASTLY improves my mood every time. Thanks for the reminder!!
I am 59. Getting myself out in nature helps my mood. Focusing on technical riding distracts my mind as well as makes me feel better about the capabilities of my body. Si asked insightful questions.
For sure I've been down, even depressed more than once in my life, but I'd say the "sport" in general saved my life. Cycling at 14, then table tennis, then badminton, then football, then tennis, then running, then windsurfing, then walking, now road cycling again. So absolutely YES! I also have commuted on a bike through my life off and on since my first bike.
Cycling definitely gives me a mental health boost, and I would add that any exercise tends to help. I like riding outdoors but my £50 turbo trainer helps me a lot on the days I don't feel like leaving the house, or the conditions are horrible!
Thanks to Si for expanding this channel in this direction. He has done some excellent research lately and presented this longer-form content, which has really shown a new direction for this channel. Chappeau.
Yes I just started s few months ago in my late 50 s I suffer from anxiety depression and PTSD.I RIDE a mile every other day. It has helped my mental health so much better than any meds that have been prescribed I'm truly amazed.😊
Great film, thanks GCN. For many (many) years my wife has understood that if I don't go biking I get grumpy. I work/life denies me riding there is a breaking point where I am sent out for a ride. It is the same for me where there is the sustained hard effort, where you hear blood pumping, that gets you to a state of meditation where all the other stresses in your life are forgotten. Sure, the issues haven't gone away but you realise they don't as much as 'that climb' and you can think about them logically again.
This info is great. It gives credit to what my go to mental health/stress reduction has been for 40 years. My challenge is now a heart arrhythmia (I also watched your heart health episode) and growing stress because of work demands. I’m sure I’m not alone and like many other now professional office workers struggling to stay fit mentally and physically until the sweet spot of retirement when we can resume some level of extreme bicycling! I will be going to my doc for some tests. Thanks so much GCN. Your videos and news clips help me a lot,
loving the science-related videos you are putting up guys. loving that you are also focusing on mental health, urban planning, etc. goes to show that cycling, isn't really just about cycling!
100% keeps me sane. I can see a difference in my own attitude and demeanor when I’m not riding over multiple days. I ride at 4:30 am a few days a week, and always feel pumped about the day after getting a ride in vs not riding before work
I suffer from mild deppresion. I've been a Cycling nerd for the last 15 years. Every time that I had to quit Cycling for some reason I have suffered a deppresion episode. So this vídeo was very useful for me as I could establish, over the years, a relation between cycling and mental wellness. Thanks you all.
I have suffered from Burn out and deprresion, those times are 12 years behind me. It where hard an difficulat times, but I got out of it with some good life lessons. At first therapy and medication got me to the point where I could redirect my life, change jobs, leave a bad relationship, then in more stable times I got on without medication. As anyone you have to battle your demons but I managed. I could say I was moderatly happy. 3 years ago I started to train, and got into triathlon, since then coping with stress has gotten much easyer. It's stille there, don't be fooled, but mindfullness is indeed at 110 RPM on a static bike ... or at 4:50 min/km running, ... it really helps. That being said, I would have never been able to get into this sport and shape without the therapy and treatement I had years ago. Exercise is a great help I think, but it's not a treatement. And of course, when you get stronger you feel so much more confident, and for people with depression, low self esteem, and anxiety, like me, that's a great bonus.
I check all the boxes for depression, but cycling is literally the only thing that keeps me going. When I’m riding the bike, I just feel pure joy and happiness. When I get off the bike, I get sad that’s it’s over but look forward to the next ride. I wish I could be happy all the time, but I remind myself that without experiencing the sadness whilst off the bike, I wouldn’t be able to truly appreciate the happiness it provides me.
Never ceases to amaze me the quality of GCN videos across a balanced scope of reporting and analysis. The fact that you guys can treat important issues like this one with great respect is a credit to you all. We all need to talk about mental health, it's one of the biggest issues facing society today and I commend you for taking part in the debate in your own special way. Chapeau!
Si, this is a really really useful insight. I am responsible for Health & Fitness where I work as one facet of my job. We are recognising many of my colleagues, generally in their 20s and 30s suffer from mental health problems and stress. The standard way of dealing with this is time off, which doesn't tackle the problem, affects those who are left at work dealing with the short term loss of their colleagues, and it simply relieves the pressure temporarily, allowing the problems to build again and lead to future problems. I'd love to help implement a sports based solution to this problem. This video clearly highlights the issues, then offers a solution. I'll show this to my colleagues to help us potentially turn a corner. Thanks Si! 🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴
We have a group of people that meet twice a week before work to bash out an hour or two riding with some chatting over coffee afterwards. Some of them have even moved on to other roles in different companies but continue the ride with our group. Something to think about. We have very different fitness levels, but account for that by cycling as a group for most, and having sprint sections where the faster people can let 'er rip for a few minutes before waiting at a pre-determined point for the rest to catch up.
Matthew Jenkinson that's great - where I work, virtually none of the younger staff do any consistent exercise, we have a few 5-a-side footballers, no cycle to work scheme and a lot of apathy.. it's going to be a challenge!
I think that we love cycling because learning how to ride is one of the first major accomplishments in our lives. As youngsters, it gave us that first taste of freedom and independence, when we could hop on a bike and go meet up with friends. The simple joy is unforgettable and it’s always available for us at any age.
@GCN and Simon: This is next level work! Very impressive network TV-level stuff IMO. An important, well researched topic handled with the right tone and pro presentation. I think this video has the potential to actually change lives and that's something to be very proud of. Cheers guys!
I have been cycling for over 40 years but because of my situation now, living alone in Italy, I have had a number of panic attacks over the last year, but have found if i can get out on my bike I can relieve the stress and clear my brain of negative thoughts.
Simon what a great episode on this topic .As cyclists just proves that when we have done a hard day we are happy , physically we are ready for rest and sleep . Myself sleep suffers if you take this daily ride , exercise out of the equation , and my mood even after a days work . However illness Has hit me hard this week which knocks it all up .
This is a fabulous video, along with the one on cardiovascular health. As a lifelong cyclist, I can recognise the differences in my mental state when I've not been able to get out on the road or trail. The more we understand the impact of activity on our wellbeing, I think that we are recognising the real negative impact of our being displaced from our natural environment. Cycling appears to improve our demeanor at an individual and possibly societal level. Keep up the good work.
One of the best, most informative videos I've seen for a long while. In fact, the quality and balance of information here was even superior to the output from the BBC and other mainstream sources. The approach to the subject incredibly subtle and worthwhile!
thx for great video, the honesty and confirmation that comes with it. i have had a stressful life and prone to anxiety and depression. cycling, along with my faith, is a huge part of my therapy and i'm addicted to the sense of well being that i enjoy on and after the bike.
Cycling is a great stress buster. While being a carer and completing a master degree, I would sometimes feel overwhelmed. At these times I could hardly concentrate so I would jump on the bike and go for a ride. Even if I only had 45 minutes to exercise, the negative feelings were greatly reduced. It was a very effective strategy that had consistent positive results.
I was diagnosed with bi-polar depression in 1993. I was going through a depressive phase. Meds were prescribed. I began a regular cycling regimen and soon stopped the meds which had made problems, ringing in my ears, sleep problems etc. I had been riding a lot of miles before 1993 with a club but had moved to another city where I began a new job and the riding had slacked off. Now I was depressed and had no understanding of the connection of riding and feeling better. Once I began regular riding, 3 to 4 days a week, I started noticing the periods of depression began to disappear and became less frequent. Now I have been completely free of depression for years. I still maintain 3 riding days a week and after buying my LOOK e-765 several weeks ago, I am riding 5 days a week.
Hi there GCN.. Great content as ever. I was diagnosed by my psychiatrist with Manic depression and anxiety that lead to chronic insomnia. And I'm still continuing my dose Quitiamine Fumatare just to sleep at night... The symptoms said by Si is indeed true. It's a puzzling symptoms for persons whom aren't yet informed of how chronic stress can do to your body. CYCLING made a great impact on how it helped me for the past 3 years. It changed my viewpoint of what a balanced lifestyle could help a person. People of today mostly spend their time being passive( many things to consider on what are those). I've been interacting with people with psychiatric issues and always telling them that exercising is the BEST way to aliviate one's psychiatric issue. Encouraging them to do so or if they want to pick up cycling. For me Cycling is the key.
This segment really illustrates how GCN continues to step up the value of the channel to our cycling community. Simon, and the whole channel, should be very proud of this effort.
This video was pleasant to watch! Not to mention I could listen to your accent all day. As someone who is currently unemployed after working 60hr weeks at my last job I have been hit with “what to do” so I will be trying this out thanks so much for sharing❤
As a sufferer from depression, i do feel the benefits of getting out on the bike although i prefer to cycle alone, but the biggest battle for me is getting out on the bike in the first place but once im out everything is fine, its just getting over that first hurdle
Great stuff. One of the things you're getting right is speaking to articulate and informed experts (an overused word, and often misapplied). Second thing you are doing brilliantly is to let them speak - so many interviewers butt in the whole time. I've got a lesson on mental health coming up at school, and I'll be using clips from the first 10 minutes of this video to show ways to manage the stress of exams.
Albert Einstein wrote a book called "the art of mindful cycling". Personally I like to sprint a few sections, but on Saturdays I just enjoy noodling around a bit in a place it's safe to wear headphones and put on a book of the Bible. Having said that, Jeremy Clarkson always looks miserable on a bike.
About 15 years ago I ended up with pretty severe depression due to a drug side effect and saw a psychiatrist for a bit. He told me that nothing would be better for me than exercise. I call riding my endorphin injection. At age 71 I'm not fast, and I'm no great climber, but 25-40 miles on a bike are my true Zen moments. Since I'm not fast, I tend to use my bike to explore the world a bit. No big adventures, but just following a new route or bike path make me happy. Even riding around a neighborhood works for me.
We'd love to hear your side of the story - has cycling helped you overcome stress and mental health issues?
Global Cycling Network Cycling keeps me sane no doubt about it👍🏻
Definitely. Sense of control, self improvement... finding myself in the hills knowing "I did that" etc.
Hi Si such a great video
I have suffered with clinical depression for over 10 years I also have P.T.S.D . ( to the point I have tried to end my own life.) I brought a cycle and sold my car so I had to use my bike to get to and from work,
Even though I’ve been knocked off a few times I still love cycling.
I really does help I’m not the fittest bloke and there are time I stop cycling for a month or two when thing get down but I always return to cycling and fall in love with the sport all over again.
I still cycle to work most days and cycle with a club on the weekends
I find I can forget all my worries and just take in the scenery which put a smile on my face even in bad weather.
It means a lot that you guys covered this topic and I hope I will help many people out there with mental illness
So thank you, love the channel keep up the good work 💕
If I feel a bit low going outside for a ride is cool, blows the cobwebs away. but if I'm really feeling stressed about something and need to switch off I go on the trainer and totally wipe myself out...it's like hitting a reset button
Global Cycling Network buying new bikes help my happiness while I’m riding it but feel depressed looking at my bank statement 😐
My side of the cycling helped my mental health story would take too long, but I have one great example. In 2010, I had lost my job, had my then wife of 14 years file for divorce, and broke my road bike (and only bike) within four months. I had a friend with multiple bikes allow me to borrow one of his road bikes for the rest of the season. I am not a climber, but I don't run from hills because you don't get better by just training your strength. One day when all I could think about was how did everything fall apart and how am I going to make it through this unbelievably emotionally painful time, I was on a hilly ride trying to get up a hill with sections at 10% to 14%. In the middle of this crank bending climb, it came to me out of "nowhere" that I was going to get through this difficult period in my life the same way I'm going to get up this climb, one pedal stroke (or one step) at a time. To this day, whenever I get down and think how am I going to make it through this next challenge, I remember that moment on that hill.
Amazing story!
heh, exactly the same thing I was thinking doing a a hard climb, I can make it.
....me the problems are too many. I ride up hills regularly instead of trying to fix them. Wehhaayy!!
Great story bro, hope things are going good now. Keep cycling, cheers 🍺🍺
I was going through a rocky relationship which didn't end well. Cycling to school once or twice a week which was 2 hrs away from home somehow kept me sane. Running from time to time has also helped with coping with the long term illness and loss of my parents. I feel the more intense the exercise, the more you focus on the physical pain and exertion than the emotional. It has a meditative effect by taking the focus off of the storm. The alternative is to be eaten alive or consumed by what's going on inside your head. Eventually it became a fun leisurely activity. ^_^ When I was at my very worst, it bought me time so I wouldn't end up in a dangerous place. If you miss a dose of biking/running, you get reminded sooner or later.
GCN is punching well above its weight with these excellent videos
Personally I think they put on quite a bit of weight and are punching at their weight. These extra pounds ... not good for a cyclist ;)
@@mumblecake251 you clearly didn't understand what this comment actually means not one of gcns guys are anywhere near over weight they are completely the opposite
@@jgilly3362 I was fully aware what the OP meant. I think the pun that I was making (admittedly not a very good one) eluded you though :P
I'm starting to notice that GCN has been producing uber 'Science' videos lately with Si. Class-leading investigative works where you interviewed experts on cycling's effect on men's sexual health (Dr. Anthony Koupparis), city cycling and pollution (Dr. Enda Hayes and Dr. Audrey de Nazelle), and now this. Gigantic effort. You deserve every praise from me.
Thanks Vee, that means a lot.
Agreed
Think Si does the best videos full stop
was just about to comment the same!
Mindfulness is 425W. Now that's something for on a T-Shirt
hell yes 400w plus = solid mindfulness
GCN needs to have that as a shirt!
440 W the perfect hour of mindfulness
That's why achieving mindfulness is so bloody hard :)
Scrolled down for this comment :)
Science with Si. Love that earnest and eager student mindset Simon adopts when reporting on topics along the lines of how cycling impacts our lives as a whole.
... and the Brains glasses ;)
There's a reason they send Si out for these assignments: he's the best journalist at GCN.
This may well be your most important video so far ,well done
and it was produced a year before the worst epidemic both in physical and mental health in modern era which resulted in booming of this hobby, who knew!
This is why i love gcn the quality is just so high
Cheers! We're having a great time producing these more in depth investigative pieces lately.
I have to give it up to you guys, I thought this channel's content would plateau (after all you can only make so many "5 worst climbing mistakes" videos) but you keep striving to reach further, improving cinematography and storytelling. This video and the 10.000 calories ride have been superb. I enjoy them even more than the GCN Show. You're really onto something here. Keep it up!
Still going strong
I grew up in a conflict zone in the Nothern Part of Kenya in East Africa.. For many years I suffered Depression, PTSD, and anxiety. When I was young, my big brother bought me a bike and cycling saved me. It's been long since I cycled but watching your channel, just watching you guys bike has relaxed me immensely, for that reason saving up to buy a bike and get more mentally stable .... the best part is I am a psychological Counsellor now.
Survived a helicopter crash in the military in 2007, resulting in a severe brain injury, multitude of broken bones, paralysis, with depression and anxiety. I self medicated with alcohol for years, and hit rock bottom during the COVID pandemic. When the hangover wore off, I started riding my hand cycle. I'm off most of my meds, lost over 50 pounds, have cycled in multiple marathons and races as well as group rides with other warriors with visible and invisible wounds. It has saved my life. I'm riding to a better life for my wife, my kids, and for myself. Cycling is the best medicine.
I’m a middle aged man, and 1 year ago, I started riding. I was a bit overweight, under a lot of stress and felt lethargic. I can confirm that cycling has made me physically healthy (with knock on effects like eating better and drinking less alcohol since the opposite would result in unenjoyable rides) but as importantly, I handle stress way better. I was even once at work during a particularly stressful event and instead of wallowing with the aftermath, I took a break and went for a ride, and the stress just melted away. Also, if I do an early morning hard ride (e.g. a good climb), the more I am focused at work for the rest of the day. Honestly, it feels like cycling has saved my life- or in the very least, my quality of life. It should be said that I live in Southern California where the climate is good for cycling year round.
I'm far from middle aged (unless you ask my SO), but I was very overweight in my 20's and can confirm all those things in my experience as well. I have a small baby girl at the moment, so cycling time is hard to come by, but when I do get out on the bike it's like a recharging of the batteries, and it doesn't even take that long - even my 30 minute ride to work, I like to sprint for a few sections and maintain a high average speed where I can (even trying to overtake cars occasionally ;) is like a happy moment before the day starts.
I’m 55, new to serious workout riding (indoor mostly during a Canadian winter), and can say I mirror everything you say. I would say that I am gravitating towards better eating habits and less drinking, not solely because of the anti-effect on rides, but just because I don’t feel as inclined to indulge as much, or I seem to have more quality / interesting things to do.
@@morosis82 There is a solution for that. Bike trailor for your little one. Perfect training instrument as well because of the extra weight. My two year old daughter loves it and has good naps in there ;)
@@mumblecake251 yeah I think I'm going to have to upgrade to the double model, the 3yo loves it but haven't been out with the little one yet. Have been thinking about getting a cargo style e-bike for that purpose, it's a bit hilly where I live.
I'm 30 and the same happened for me.
12:05 Am I the only one who thought, "Christ, Si's gone 'full geek' and then "I wonder if he's parodying academics"...?
PS: in 2012, I was fat and borderline suicidal. I quit grad school when I fantasized about hurling myself off a bridge on the way to University. Afterwards I just rode my bike until I found a new job. Bikes changed my life, man.
Glad you're still with us! I'm just getting into cycling now, at 30.
I am suicidal but can't quit my job....I loike your free spirit
The cutaway shot to Si’s face when Dr. Geddes references “the manual fiddling around and nerdery of cycles” at 20:09 is pure gold.
I laughed out loud when I saw that, and had to come down to the comments and look for anyone mentioning it :)
That is my single favorite moment of all time since I started watching RUclips videos many years ago. Si's smirk is priceless!
Hmmm interesting. I find too that my hamster wheel is going non-stop on easy zone-2 rides, but the longer I ride, the slower the hamster wheel is turning. I found that on some really long rides (150km+), especially on a nice summer day, I reach this sort of sincere, relaxed mental state. When I arrive back home I feel utterly relaxed and happy. Sometimes this works better for me than taking a full week of holiday!
I can relate to this feeling!
Definitely struggle with mental health in our Canadian winters because my activity level drops so much!
Got myself a trainer this year because one of your videos came up in my reccomend from RUclips vids.
Now riding every day and I'm loving it! Feeling great, sleeping great, eating great and healthier!
Thanks GCN! Keep up the great work!
Thanks dude, glad you found a great solution!
I suffer from clinical depression and anxiety and cycling has been my saviour, thanks for the video. Keep up the great work
Thanks Jason, keep riding and enjoying cycling
As someone who suffered with untreated PTSD for years, when I finally got help, I returned to my love of cycling. My doc is convinced that my recovery was hastened due to the bike. It gives distraction from my thoughts, something exciting to look forward to and motivation to try harder. Thank you for putting this video up. It helps validate what so many of us know.
To echo the reverse. I can track the decline of my own mental health back to when i stopped riding my bike If I look back. I went through a 3 year period after my bike was stolen where i didn't have a bike and in that time i think my mental health as well as my phsyical health declined a lot. I also ended up with injuries and that further made it all worse. All came to a head thsi year at the beginning with a big dive into depression after a panic attack (I have a lot of other depressing shit happen worse than a bike beign nicked whcih contributed but I didn't help myself at all).
Getting back on the bike and excercising again (amongst other things) has been a good way to beat back my anxiety fears and depression. Its given me back that joy i was missing from being alive!
I started cycling a year ago, and i notice that i become less stressed with my job, marriage etc. Even just by commuting to work i become more happy, less stressed, even get a promotion on top of that. The thing is, it is become addictive. 1-3 days without cycling, i got anxious, and become easily angered.
Anyway, great video! Now i know that its not just myth, it is proven that cycling makes you happy.
i very much love these longer format videos diving into these health-related videos especially the one on body image. keep em coming!
As an experienced mental health nurse, life coach and keen cyclist and mountaineer, I certainly can testify that physical activity, (cycling, trekking, running etc) certainly does have long term benefits on mental wellbeing and the reduction in stress. Particularly if you include mindfulness into the activity, i.e rather than going full power all the time, learn to also slow down (best done once you go full gas for a period), take in the environment and become aware of your own thoughts and emotions whilst engaging in the physical activity. Since 2006, I have worked independently from the NHS. This has enabled me to provide treatment and interventions that have a physical element built into each person's plan. I recognise that I am in a unique position to witness first hand the overwhelmingly positive effects sport related activities, based in the outdoors, have on people’s mental wellbeing. I am not an academic and do not claim to possess the qualities these individuals have obtained; however, I know what I have witnessed. Engaging in a sport-related physical activity over a prolonged period of time does provide a positive impact upon mental wellbeing regardless of the severity. Often in times of serious mental distress, one important element that appears to fade away when distressing thoughts take over is the disconnection with nature’s natural biorhythms. Through a range of sport-related activities like cycling, running, kayaking, walking and hiking people get to go to places they would not see in a car. They come into contact with a diverse natural environment that isn’t easily accessible by road, air or railway. People reconnect both internally and externally; they feel “alive” again.
It may be fair to say that human beings in the Western World now spend long periods confined in concrete buildings far away from remote and wild places. Perhaps we have lost touch with our symbiotic relationship with the very ground we walk. Many academics argue that this disconnection with nature causes an imbalance in the mind and dis-ease occurs. It is not uncommon for participants who turn up on one of my activities I deliver, not to communicate or respond in an open friendly manner to either their peers or staff. By the end of the activity, the same people are talking, laughing and sharing their experiences. Now that's priceless.
Great video and great insight, issues that affect us all on some level. I was on medication for anxiety for 9 years, in 2017 I started a daily mindfulness practice, and late 2017 started cycling. In 2018 I came off medication and kept cycling and have been feeling the best I've ever felt as an adult. For anyone struggling seek help and never give up, there's always something else to try and someone else to help. ❤️
I need my cycling to help with mental health. It clears my head and makes me a happier calmer person.
As a scientist, I really appreciate the effort that GCN is putting for to translate research to the lay public. Translating science is not easy and the channel has gotten much better about carefully educating the viewers. This is great stuff, keep it up!
Well. This is indeed one of the most important, informative health videos not just from GCN, button RUclips in general.
Excellent tone and content.
Big thanks to Si, Oxford and the GCN team for this production.
This post was extremely helpful, and gives scientific support to the importance of exercise, cycling, in our lives. Movement, circulation and time of reflection...Truly self care. Well done!!
Fantastic video, thank you to everyone at GCN as well as the Universities for putting this together. There are so many young men with mental health issues who don't seek help. The more we can do to normalise talking and doing things about mental health the better.
There's a similar enterprise in Australia called the 'Mens Shed' organisation that is basically just a place where guys can go to shoot the shit, get their hands dirty with some woodwork, fixing stuff, all sorts of things. The premise behind it is to get them together and talking about what they're struggling with, and get help if they need it.
I can envision something similar with a cycling group, for those that way inclined.
I agree, shorter high intensity laps of my local quiet roads each around 90 mins are like medicine for the mind and soul, 3-4 per week is just perfect. Love the gcn does science content!
I was suffering from heart palpitation and anxiety for more than year. The first time I tried cycling at home all the symtoms disappeared and my life turn to normal. Thank God and GCN
I take my hat off to these series of videos. As a psychologist and as a cyclist I couldn't get more touched by a video. I firmly believe that to be a cyclist implies to be conscious of such things and for sure this scientific outreach would help some people to take another look onto their bikes and their exercise habits.
Go on guys you are in the right direction
I have battled with a really difficult depression and anxiety through my teenage years. After years with no motivation fior anything, one day I pulled myself up on the bike again for just a small ride and it felt awesome. Since then it just moved forward and today I have never felt better and I am completely out of my depression. Obviously there are many factors that have helped me out, but I’m pretty sure cycling has been one of the biggest. Not only does it give me a mental break, mindfulness and awesome experiences, it also give me a lot of self esteem.
A million times yes! I have suffered with SAD since my teens, but have had the best winter of my life since getting a smart trainer and doing regular rides on Zwift (3-5 per week). A consistent sleep schedule and less booze have helped, but I’m going to attribute the biggest mood boost to exercise. Thanks GCN for turning me on to Zwift and helping me get through the winter blues with flying colors!
Watching these videos reduces my stress.
Cycling like all exercise has helped me a lot, and GCN in particular has helped me get a lot more out of my home workouts!.
Hey guys! I'm writing my thesis on the effects that HIIT (one session on the rowing machine the other on a bike) has on executive control and goal-directed eye movements and I absolutely loved hearing Prof. Geddes talk about this! Definitely going to cite his work! Keep up the good science!
Good to see John Geddes back - hes looking bloody good for 82, and no scouse accent. Just shows, winning a bronze medal in Melbourne, on the track 4000m pursuit has certainly reduced his stress levels - looking good John !
Simon, Sammi and the glasses are never in the same shot...Glasses relay at its best...seamless boys, seamless
first sorry for my english i will do my best ;p so i had rectal cancer before it i was cycling and going to gym alot i did well with surgerys and chemotherapy sadly chemo and location of the cancer did make my toilet a huge problem thats when i had to stop gym and cycling cuz i basicly didnt know when i will have to go to toilet i was doing my best on indoor trainer and i stoped i dont know why and that was the time when it all started toilet got worse everybody was wondering whats going on and then i did recognise that i have huge depression i lost all my will to live im on antidepressats now when i started from small walks and small cardio on indoor trainer (have problem with lossing waight so cant do anything long that will burn too much calories) but i can say one thing it is helping me more then the pills i was perfect with my head aslong i could train so yeah if u have problems with depression dont sit next to PC like i did just move your A**
Thanks GCN for motivation and videos like that ! you are all great ppl i hope i will get better one day with toilet and i will be able to meet u all on some GCN event !!!
Graboss87 all the best with your recovery 🙏🏼
Thank you for sharing your story. Very inspirational and wishing you the best
All the best and wishing you a speedy recovery! very courageous of you to share.
Thanks for the courage to share! Champion!
It is clear that you have some serious challenges to overcome, though it seems that you are slowly finding a pathway to overcome them. Namely, to get back to doing physical activity. I am happy to read that this video has helped to motivate you and would like to further encourage you to keep on going. Forget what you might have been able to do in the past. Rather, think about things in terms of who and where you are now as a human being and begin to build up on that. Remember, your past self did what they did without having to face what you are now facing. Today, whatever progress that you can make means that you are that much better than what you were before.
This way of thinking about things not only helps in overcoming diseases and injuries, but applies to aging. One’s PBs set when they were in their 20’s have no relevance to those set in their 50’s, other than to prove to oneself that with work and determination, we can always be better, until we reach our limits. What is important is to probe those limits, to do so is good for the mind and the body.
All the best, take care.
Particularly when I am stressed, a good outdoor ride regardless of the weather clears the head and resets the soul to address what ever issues are at hand.
I have always found that getting on my bike to ride home after a mentally tough day at work is a game changer. You can quickly forget and refocus on enjoying life.
Definitely helps to separate the work day from family day. I like to smash myself on the way home, it's only about 30 mins or so but it has such a great effect (once I eventually catch my breath).
I have mental health issues that I have learned to live with and on those rough days I've found that simply getting on me bike and taking a ride definitely helps me. Thanks for touching on this issue and a super big thumbs up to Si and Chris!!! GREAT VIDEO GUYS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND THANK YOU!!!!!! CHEERS
As a psychiatrist and a cyclist/triathlete, this was a great video for everyone to watch. Kudos and keep up the great work!!!
It's May 2021 and we're well into our 2nd year of COVID-19. A lot has happened since this video has come out. My mental and physical health outlet is horseback riding and everything involved with it including my therapeutic horseback riding volunteering, helping adults and children on the Autism spectrum or other mental health issues and/or muscular and/or neurological disorders. Seeing the kids and adults progress on "800 to 1500 pounds of 'I don't have to listen to you!'" is wonderful, let alone all the benefits of being around other extremely sentient creatures. I'm hardly the knowledgeable bicyclist you folks are, but after 40 years around horses off and on "I know a thing or two." I'm just starting to get back into cycling for exercise again at the age of 54 (that came up fast) and I pray that just like you folks get your "high" from riding your bikes at intensive levels and/or for simple quiet recreational purposes to "zone out," I hope I eventually get there too. There's just nothing to compare with suddenly being taken to a different level of consciousness where realities and perspectives change for the good.
Fascinating video gcn and great presentation si. Don't normally comment but felt compelled to as it was so good. Keep it up.
Really appreciate you taking the time to comment, thanks for your support Russsell.
Thank for all you do, I was just send by a dr to a psychiatrist because of possible depression signs, unable to sleep, irritable quick snapping and so on, next day I went for an 80-kilometer ride and help me so much to relax.
when I'm out riding I have noticed the calming affect, I don't think negative things, mostly I think of the first coffee stop! haha
As a person who suffers from depression and anxiety cycling is literally the main thing that pulls me out of the seriousness of the feelings. I can literally just commute and I have a smile on my face. Cycling is the only thing that brings us back to the initial achievements of being a child I believe. Cheers GCN
I have suffered from depression for 25 years and have taken a lot of different medication to control it. Took up cycling 11 years ago and within 2 years come off the meds. I find as long as I do some hard efforts within the ride I,m fine. Just 2 days off the bike and I can feel the dark clouds coming back. A slow social ride will not do the trick, so what ever happens I got to make sure to work hard. Thank you Si for bring this out in the open. Ride on to put a smile to your face.
I spent many years battling addiction and I was at a point that I no longer found inspiration ... I began cycling and it completely changed my life...I encourage anyone that suffers from unhealthy habits to go outside, tap in with nature and find your purpose.. We all have a purpose and we all deserve to smile.. 😊
Love the blue Polar M400(?) on the wrist of the interviewee in the second half. He clearly likes to exercise!
Thank you for adressing this very important issue. One should really not decrease the level of exercise bellow a certain level when the number of tasks/work increases. For me, if I do not exercise for a week, I sort of start feeling down, even if there is not a set of reasons that I can identify as explanations. Also, I feel that going for a ride outdoors, specially when it´s a sunny winter day, is about the greatest thing one can do!
Thank you for this video. I've suffered with mental health issues of and on for years and cycling has been invaluable in helping me keeping some kind of equilibrium. It's so good to see this subject tackled with sensitivity, and to properly engage with scientific research in a patient and measured way. You're doing something with a real public benefit here and I'm grateful to you.
If you guys thought this was important, you're wrong. It is MORE than important. Thank you for speaking to an issue that is all to often kept inside and personal. Don't be afraid, it isnt a weakness, it is strength to come forward and deal with it. I know I have fought with this for twenty years before I realised it was an issue.
Keep up this awesome content.
Thank you so much for this video. Currently suffering from depression and it’s taken a lot of changes to start getting me back on track. But I started training for the triathlon season and well on my indoor bike I found when I finished I got that hit of endorphins making me feel amazing. My new job is working in mental health and I’m looking into how exercise helps. So this was a great video to watch. Keep up the good work 👍
Riding my stationary bike has keep me happy during the days..
It makes me feel good.
Another great piece by gcn. Congratulations on the mix of content you’re putting out.
I definitely have cycling to thank for a turn around in mental health. Around three years ago I was having a really tough time at work, I enjoyed my job but got stuck in a rut and had a very stressful situation cause me to become depressed and I suffered from anxiety, albeit mild but I have absolutely no doubt that cycling helped me to deal with it through high intensity exercise or just getting out in the countryside and getting away from it all. I always felt so much better after being on the bike. I now have a new job I absolutely love and a great group of cyclist friends to go with it. Happy days!
Thanks GCN for talking about this subject. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with mental health to take up cycling 100%
I think every cyclist out there identifies with Si when he said when your riding along within your limits you still have thoughts running through your brain, but as soon as he pushes himself he enters that zone !! That zone is a amazing place I find it so addictive ! Great vid GCN .... I only wish my zone was 425watts !
I've suffered from PTSD for 30 years this caused all kinds of physical changes including severe allergic reactions. I was diagnosed with PTSD in early 2018 and changing my diet and getting a strict training plan has changed my life. I just wish I could afford better kit so I could keep getting better and better PB's. It would have been much better if GP's could put the pieces together a little bit earlier fitness has helped me through many tough times but cycling has been especially beneficial. Great video GCN and thanks for all the insight from all the team brilliant channel, you are simply the best.
Lads , genuinely one of the best , supportive , and helpful vids you have ever made. I suspect a lot of people have had a think during that 23 mins and a few will have decided to address issues all to familiar . Credit to si , the very clever boffins and the channel for addressing with such empathy and care
Thanks GCN and Si for putting up this video, recently i have been suffering from stress and depression from office workload. I had started cycling 4 years back, but stopped due to laziness and office schedule, but you just gave me a way out. Thanks again for this video. You guys always rock. Am a big fan of Si, the way he deals with complex things in a simplified way. Cheers guys 🍺🍺
One of the trickiest parts of the balance between stress and exercise is that we convince ourselves we are "too busy" to get out. I've made that excuse to myself many times. However, even going out for a quick 30 minute spin VASTLY improves my mood every time. Thanks for the reminder!!
I am 59. Getting myself out in nature helps my mood. Focusing on technical riding distracts my mind as well as makes me feel better about the capabilities of my body. Si asked insightful questions.
For sure I've been down, even depressed more than once in my life, but I'd say the "sport" in general saved my life. Cycling at 14, then table tennis, then badminton, then football, then tennis, then running, then windsurfing, then walking, now road cycling again. So absolutely YES! I also have commuted on a bike through my life off and on since my first bike.
Cycling definitely gives me a mental health boost, and I would add that any exercise tends to help. I like riding outdoors but my £50 turbo trainer helps me a lot on the days I don't feel like leaving the house, or the conditions are horrible!
Thanks to Si for expanding this channel in this direction. He has done some excellent research lately and presented this longer-form content, which has really shown a new direction for this channel. Chappeau.
Yes I just started s few months ago in my late 50 s I suffer from anxiety depression and PTSD.I RIDE a mile every other day. It has helped my mental health so much better than any meds that have been prescribed I'm truly amazed.😊
I thought Simon's presentation was the best he's done yet
Great film, thanks GCN. For many (many) years my wife has understood that if I don't go biking I get grumpy. I work/life denies me riding there is a breaking point where I am sent out for a ride. It is the same for me where there is the sustained hard effort, where you hear blood pumping, that gets you to a state of meditation where all the other stresses in your life are forgotten. Sure, the issues haven't gone away but you realise they don't as much as 'that climb' and you can think about them logically again.
This info is great. It gives credit to what my go to mental health/stress reduction has been for 40 years. My challenge is now a heart arrhythmia (I also watched your heart health episode) and growing stress because of work demands. I’m sure I’m not alone and like many other now professional office workers struggling to stay fit mentally and physically until the sweet spot of retirement when we can resume some level of extreme bicycling! I will be going to my doc for some tests. Thanks so much GCN. Your videos and news clips help me a lot,
loving the science-related videos you are putting up guys. loving that you are also focusing on mental health, urban planning, etc. goes to show that cycling, isn't really just about cycling!
100% keeps me sane. I can see a difference in my own attitude and demeanor when I’m not riding over multiple days. I ride at 4:30 am a few days a week, and always feel pumped about the day after getting a ride in vs not riding before work
I suffer from mild deppresion. I've been a Cycling nerd for the last 15 years. Every time that I had to quit Cycling for some reason I have suffered a deppresion episode. So this vídeo was very useful for me as I could establish, over the years, a relation between cycling and mental wellness. Thanks you all.
I have suffered from Burn out and deprresion, those times are 12 years behind me. It where hard an difficulat times, but I got out of it with some good life lessons. At first therapy and medication got me to the point where I could redirect my life, change jobs, leave a bad relationship, then in more stable times I got on without medication. As anyone you have to battle your demons but I managed. I could say I was moderatly happy. 3 years ago I started to train, and got into triathlon, since then coping with stress has gotten much easyer. It's stille there, don't be fooled, but mindfullness is indeed at 110 RPM on a static bike ... or at 4:50 min/km running, ... it really helps. That being said, I would have never been able to get into this sport and shape without the therapy and treatement I had years ago. Exercise is a great help I think, but it's not a treatement. And of course, when you get stronger you feel so much more confident, and for people with depression, low self esteem, and anxiety, like me, that's a great bonus.
I check all the boxes for depression, but cycling is literally the only thing that keeps me going. When I’m riding the bike, I just feel pure joy and happiness. When I get off the bike, I get sad that’s it’s over but look forward to the next ride. I wish I could be happy all the time, but I remind myself that without experiencing the sadness whilst off the bike, I wouldn’t be able to truly appreciate the happiness it provides me.
The content on this channel just keeps getting better and better
Naww thanks John!
Never ceases to amaze me the quality of GCN videos across a balanced scope of reporting and analysis. The fact that you guys can treat important issues like this one with great respect is a credit to you all. We all need to talk about mental health, it's one of the biggest issues facing society today and I commend you for taking part in the debate in your own special way.
Chapeau!
Si, this is a really really useful insight. I am responsible for Health & Fitness where I work as one facet of my job. We are recognising many of my colleagues, generally in their 20s and 30s suffer from mental health problems and stress. The standard way of dealing with this is time off, which doesn't tackle the problem, affects those who are left at work dealing with the short term loss of their colleagues, and it simply relieves the pressure temporarily, allowing the problems to build again and lead to future problems. I'd love to help implement a sports based solution to this problem. This video clearly highlights the issues, then offers a solution. I'll show this to my colleagues to help us potentially turn a corner. Thanks Si! 🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴
That's great to hear. I hope it helps! All the best.
We have a group of people that meet twice a week before work to bash out an hour or two riding with some chatting over coffee afterwards. Some of them have even moved on to other roles in different companies but continue the ride with our group. Something to think about.
We have very different fitness levels, but account for that by cycling as a group for most, and having sprint sections where the faster people can let 'er rip for a few minutes before waiting at a pre-determined point for the rest to catch up.
Matthew Jenkinson that's great - where I work, virtually none of the younger staff do any consistent exercise, we have a few 5-a-side footballers, no cycle to work scheme and a lot of apathy.. it's going to be a challenge!
I think that we love cycling because learning how to ride is one of the first major accomplishments in our lives. As youngsters, it gave us that first taste of freedom and independence, when we could hop on a bike and go meet up with friends. The simple joy is unforgettable and it’s always available for us at any age.
I just came home from a ride..my legs are tired..I had massive overhead winds..I hate those..but I feel immensely happy..I love cycling..
@GCN and Simon: This is next level work! Very impressive network TV-level stuff IMO. An important, well researched topic handled with the right tone and pro presentation. I think this video has the potential to actually change lives and that's something to be very proud of. Cheers guys!
Cycling helps a lot to escape from the brain. Go out and feel some physical pain, it's nice.
I have been cycling for over 40 years but because of my situation now, living alone in Italy, I have had a number of panic attacks over the last year, but have found if i can get out on my bike I can relieve the stress and clear my brain of negative thoughts.
Had a breakup and bought a new cycle to cope up with the depression ! I'm happier than ever!
Simon what a great episode on this topic .As cyclists just proves that when we have done a hard day we are happy , physically we are ready for rest and sleep . Myself sleep suffers if you take this daily ride , exercise out of the equation , and my mood even after a days work . However illness
Has hit me hard this week which knocks it all up .
This is a fabulous video, along with the one on cardiovascular health. As a lifelong cyclist, I can recognise the differences in my mental state when I've not been able to get out on the road or trail. The more we understand the impact of activity on our wellbeing, I think that we are recognising the real negative impact of our being displaced from our natural environment. Cycling appears to improve our demeanor at an individual and possibly societal level. Keep up the good work.
I really love GCNs health related videos! Being well spoken and friendly and seeming genuinely interested, Si's the perfect presenter for them.
One of the best, most informative videos I've seen for a long while. In fact, the quality and balance of information here was even superior to the output from the BBC and other mainstream sources. The approach to the subject incredibly subtle and worthwhile!
Amazing job Si! Love that GCN is breaking down the stigma around mental health issues!!
thx for great video, the honesty and confirmation that comes with it. i have had a stressful life and prone to anxiety and depression. cycling, along with my faith, is a huge part of my therapy and i'm addicted to the sense of well being that i enjoy on and after the bike.
9:22-9:44.....Truer words have never been spoken, well said mate
Cycling is a great stress buster. While being a carer and completing a master degree, I would sometimes feel overwhelmed. At these times I could hardly concentrate so I would jump on the bike and go for a ride. Even if I only had 45 minutes to exercise, the negative feelings were greatly reduced. It was a very effective strategy that had consistent positive results.
I was diagnosed with bi-polar depression in 1993. I was going through a depressive phase. Meds were prescribed. I began a regular cycling regimen and soon stopped the meds which had made problems, ringing in my ears, sleep problems etc. I had been riding a lot of miles before 1993 with a club but had moved to another city where I began a new job and the riding had slacked off. Now I was depressed and had no understanding of the connection of riding and feeling better. Once I began regular riding, 3 to 4 days a week, I started noticing the periods of depression began to disappear and became less frequent. Now I have been completely free of depression for years. I still maintain 3 riding days a week and after buying my LOOK e-765 several weeks ago, I am riding 5 days a week.
Hi Dan! Thanks for sharing your mental health journey, great to hear that the bike has been part of your process. 🙌
Hi there GCN.. Great content as ever.
I was diagnosed by my psychiatrist with Manic depression and anxiety that lead to chronic insomnia.
And I'm still continuing my dose Quitiamine Fumatare just to sleep at night...
The symptoms said by Si is indeed true. It's a puzzling symptoms for persons whom aren't yet informed of how chronic stress can do to your body.
CYCLING made a great impact on how it helped me for the past 3 years.
It changed my viewpoint of what a balanced lifestyle could help a person.
People of today mostly spend their time being passive( many things to consider on what are those).
I've been interacting with people with psychiatric issues and always telling them that exercising is the BEST way to aliviate one's psychiatric issue.
Encouraging them to do so or if they want to pick up cycling.
For me Cycling is the key.
This segment really illustrates how GCN continues to step up the value of the channel to our cycling community. Simon, and the whole channel, should be very proud of this effort.
This video was pleasant to watch! Not to mention I could listen to your accent all day. As someone who is currently unemployed after working 60hr weeks at my last job I have been hit with “what to do” so I will be trying this out thanks so much for sharing❤
As a sufferer from depression, i do feel the benefits of getting out on the bike although i prefer to cycle alone, but the biggest battle for me is getting out on the bike in the first place but once im out everything is fine, its just getting over that first hurdle
Great stuff. One of the things you're getting right is speaking to articulate and informed experts (an overused word, and often misapplied). Second thing you are doing brilliantly is to let them speak - so many interviewers butt in the whole time. I've got a lesson on mental health coming up at school, and I'll be using clips from the first 10 minutes of this video to show ways to manage the stress of exams.
Albert Einstein wrote a book called "the art of mindful cycling". Personally I like to sprint a few sections, but on Saturdays I just enjoy noodling around a bit in a place it's safe to wear headphones and put on a book of the Bible.
Having said that, Jeremy Clarkson always looks miserable on a bike.
About 15 years ago I ended up with pretty severe depression due to a drug side effect and saw a psychiatrist for a bit. He told me that nothing would be better for me than exercise. I call riding my endorphin injection. At age 71 I'm not fast, and I'm no great climber, but 25-40 miles on a bike are my true Zen moments.
Since I'm not fast, I tend to use my bike to explore the world a bit. No big adventures, but just following a new route or bike path make me happy. Even riding around a neighborhood works for me.