Thursday, July 25, 2024

CYCLING - AN ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY EXERCISE!

CYCLING - AN ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY EXERCISE!




Cycling or biking is something I start my day with! In fact, when I open my eyes in the morning, it is the first thing, I look forward to! One may think that I have been cycling for years now! That’s not true at all! I started cycling exactly 41 months back!

Basically I started it as an exercise, but as days passed, I realised that it is much more than an exercise.

Cycling helps in exercising, no doubt! If you are well versed with it, you know how to exert your body and then how to relax it, too! Climbing small mounds or slopes can be very exerting for the body, but it tones the body.  Riding a bike is fun and it keeps you healthy! What advantages I could judge while cycling were that;

If not done vigorously, it may not help in reducing weight but it enhances stamina, strengthens leg and calf muscles, hamstrings, quads, glutes, along with increasing healthy breathing or pranayama.  

Habitual cycling at a high speed and intensity, can lower body fat levels, promoting weight management. Regular cycling can increase metabolism, build muscles, stimulates burning of calories, even while resting.

It is being stated that long period cycling can help in protecting from obesity, arthritis, heart attack, diabetes, paralytic stroke. It is said that cycling boosts HDL or good cholesterol levels while lowering LDL or bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Exercise releases happy hormones, or endorphins which lower stress. Indirectly, it boosts confidence.

Beginning your day with a healthy activity like cycling boosts blood circulation and allows you to start your day with a sense of accomplishment. You may feel more inclined to make healthy, positive choices as the day progresses.

As you stabilize on the bike, and try to keep the bike upright, overall balance, coordination and gait improves. Improved balance helps in the prevention of falls and fractures, help in decreasing risk of injury.

I read about cycling and realised that cycle or bike is a human-powered, human driven vehicle, and riding it is enjoyed all around the world. When I visited European countries, especially Netherlands, it was a visual wonder to see almost each and every person cycling. It’s said that 99.1 % of population in Amsterdam possess cycles and they use it as a regular mode of transport. They win all cycle races too! Cycling is almost like walking for them! Isn’t that wonderful? 

Riding a cycle is simple, with a little balancing tact. Mobile and stationary cycling both are great forms.

The most wonderful fact about cycling is that it is not a no - no for the aged. It is a low-impact exercise meant for all, age no bar!

It is easy to accommodate cycling in our daily routine, because we can use it everywhere. It requires minimum parking space, once we lock it properly.  Presently in big cities, arrangements have been made to park cycles securely. 

In today’s polluted world, it is considered as an environment friendly sport, besides being a means of recreation. So we can help reduce carbon footprints by riding bikes whenever possible.

Feeling the breeze on your face, is real happiness and watching the nature and scenic surroundings is a pleasure in the early hours of morning.

If the traffic is moderate and controlled, cycling can be used as a means of transport.

Many clubs and NGOs are motivating cycling today as a competitive sport, organising events, races and involving people.

Cycling alone or with friends can, to some extent, relieve stress, frustration, anxiety and depression.

Focusing on the road while cycling helps in developing concentration and presence of mind, helping you to get distracted from everyday stress.

Taking care while cycling is important to avoid accidents so riding in lanes reserved for cycling, peaceful streets, non-crowded areas is recommended.

Cycling is a wonderful means of exploring local areas. Cycling is a very enjoyable way of staying healthy while staying in touch with the surrounding world!

We should thank The Almighty for helping us enjoy ourselves, appreciate the satisfaction, coming from improving our fitness while having fun.

TOWARDS FAWN !!!

3rd June has been designated as World Bicycle Day. to celebrate the sense of happiness, relief and global connection it brings.

Happy Cycling!

Green Blogger

Prof. Dr. Jaya Kurhekar