What does cycling have to do with your business?
Looking through my instagram (@fitforfreelance), it's easy to tell I'm a fan of biking. I try to get out a few times a week. Also, part of my full time job is teaching the community and policy makers how ​bike-friendly places get people more active and improve health outcomes. But what are cycling benefits for entrepreneurs?
​Biking is an easy, effective way for you to feel great and work better, so you enjoy more of what you love in life and work.
​Biking is good for you and your business!
-Reggie
5 cycling benefits for freelancers:
1) It's just fun!
​Cycling naturally covers the "feel great" part. Whether celebrating or getting through a bad mood, a bike ride makes everything a little better. It's a great way to take a break and grab some fresh air.
Sometimes, cardio feels like a boring struggle, especially if you're indoors on a treadmill, elliptical, or erg. Even if you don't think biking is one of the most fun things you can do as an adult, exercise boosts your mood even when you don't expect it to.
2) ​​Get a refreshed perspective
Your circulation and breathing aren't their best when you're in a chair.
Getting more blood and air flowing to your brain feels energizing, letting you tackle challenges with full and refreshed brain power. Also, moving around outside lets you consider things differently ​from staring at your computer screen.
You looking at your computer
3) Get the benefits of hitting health.gov's guideline for exercising 150 minutes per week
Some benefits of exercising 22 minutes a day:
- Improves cognition​
- ​Reduces risks of types of cancer
- ​Decreases risk of excessive weight gain, dementia, postpartum depression, and injury risk from falls
- In addition to the old favorites- improves quality of life and bone health, ​decreased heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression
Read more: New Health.gov Activity Guidelines: 8 Things to Know
4) Low impact
​Biking puts most of your weight in your seat, which takes pressure off your knee and ankle joints. This is great news if you have stiff joints or are ​newly returning to exercise!
​5) It's easy
You don't have to ​do a ton of preparation or go to the gym to get the benefits of ​cycling; you just put your bike on the road! It's technically aerobic exercise/cardio, which can boost your mood and reduce stress.
​Read more: The Easiest Way to Be Less Stressed at Work
This ​study found that people who cycled to work had a lower early-morning stress level than those who drove or ​took public transit to work. So you're likely to notice cycling benefits whether you're commuting to work, or before walking to the home office.
Time to put some air in the tires...
​Take the next step towards biking today, and see how you feel about it.
- ​Put air in the tires
- Get a bike pump
- ​Get a bike- Craigslist or a big box store work fine (remember to support small businesses too!)