#NewNormal: 5 health benefits of biking
In these trying times, the best defense against the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a fit and healthy body.
While health authorities advised people to avoid taking mass transportation as a precautionary measure, they also suggested using bikes as a primary means of transportation.
Biking to your destination not only lowers the infection rate of COVID-19 but also reduces the risk of health problems.
Here are some health benefits of biking for at least two to four hours per week:
1. Promotes weight loss
Nutritionists explained that the basic equation in weight loss is that the calories you burn are greater than your calorie intake. Biking burns calories between 400 to 1000 per hour, depending on intensity and rider weight.
According to verywellfit.com, the time you spend biking matters more than the distance you travel. Lesser time but more distance is the key to weight loss using a bike.
2. Improves lung health
Contrary to popular beliefs, a recent study showed biking lowers your exposure to pollution than riding a car.
A study conducted by Health Air Campaign, King's College Londo, and Camden Council showed that bus drivers experienced five times higher pollution levels than bicycle riders.
3. Lowers heart disease and cancer risk
When biking, your heart rate raises and gets the blood pumping throughout your body. At the same time, it also burns calories, thus, limiting the chance of being overweight.
According to a study conducted by the University of Glasgow, researchers found out that biking can cut the risk of developing heart disease of cancer in half.
4. Improves your sleep
Even though it has been a long belief that tiring yourself during the day will lead to better sleep at night, researchers at the University of Georgia have proven this to be true.
The study suggested that bike riders sleep better because of a reduction in anxiety, and regularly burns calories, avoiding their chance of being overweight, which is another cause of sleep dysfunction.
5. Improves mental well-being
Aside from your physical health, biking also improves your mental well-being.
According to a study conducted by the YMCA, the wellbeing of people who had a physically-active lifestyle scored 32% higher than those with an inactive lifestyle.
When biking, you can also improve your confidence by achieving some goals, like winning a tournament or traveling more distance with less time, which results in healthier mental well-being.
Even though the world is in these trying times and scientists are yet to find a vaccine against COVID-19, one thing you can do to protect yourself against this virus is by maintaining a fit and healthy body.
Hit two birds with one stone by biking to your destination and, at the same time, improving your physical and mental health.