Since I know several members of this community are keen cyclists, seeing this on a friend's Facebook page piqued my interest:
Downward spiral, upward cycle. How cycling can help manage depression,
from one of our supporters at CityCycling magazine: http://bit.ly/amdjXY
And as a teaser, the first few paragraphs of the article:
Mention depression and cycling in the same breath and it's easy to fill a piece of paper with a number of cyclists who have battled against the illness. Graeme Obree is perhaps the most well-known example; Frank Vandenbroucke fought against it for years before his untimely death last year; even Bradley Wiggins, in his autobiography, admitted to bouts of depression after the Athens Olympics. But this isn't something unique to cycling, and while the pressure to succeed within sport in general could be held up as a possible catalyst of depression within a pro-athlete, the incidences being so public probably give out a false impression of the rate of sufferers.
And that would also serve to deflect attention from Joe Public who is suffering from depression, and for whom that very catalyst for harm in a pro can be flipped 180 degrees, and so offer at least some peace of mind.
Actually 'peace of mind' might be underestimating the effects somewhat. Simon Lamb is a cyclist, he runs the Gazzetta della Bici blog and is a manic depressive, suffering a biological depression since he was about 14. And Simon reckons cycling has effectively saved his life.
Comments
Interesting
It's well known that physical exercise helps depression, so a good cardio workout a la cycling does it well. So would walking or running, the article writer just happens to like cycling. So do I. However, as I get older and the hills get steeper - it might just cause some depression!
Angharad :(
Angharad
I've noticed...
that some staircases have gotten steeper as I've gotten older (even the ones in my own house... Specially if I don't do the knee exercises I'm supposed to (since injury about 30 years ago).
I think it's a conspiracy. Somebody's out there modifying things while I sleep!
As to the exercise thing fighting depression... It's been shown to combat any number of other ailments as well.
Back to the original post - thanks for the link... Though, somehow, I doubt my mom'll take up cycling to reduce her depression.
Annette
I'm not sure about this.
I've pedalled many 10s of 1000s of miles but when the 'Black Dog' arrives it doesn't help a lot. This year is extra bad because I'm just not tempted to go out on roads that are potentially either icy or salty. At one time I'd have ridden at least 1000 miles towards my annual total by this time of the year. When I am depressed I find it difficult to motivate myself to take an interest in anything. Makes it hard on my beloved who also loves cycling.
I suppose it works for some people, like Simon Lamb, which makes it worth trying. However I suspect the real advantage is getting out into the fresh air and get a bit out of breath.
Robi