World Bicycle Day: Health Benefits of Riding a Bicycle

Posted on: Jun 6, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

World Bicycle Day: Health Benefits of Riding a Bicycle

Bicycles are a pollution-free mode of transportation that can lead to less traffic and cleaner air, especially in cities drowning in pollution. As an economical mode of conveyance, the bicycle also makes healthcare, education, and other services accessible to all. Moreover, riding a bicycle regularly can do wonders for your physical and mental health and save you from certain life-threatening conditions. It can also improve mobility and flexibility and reduce body pain and discomfort.

To recognise the importance of cycling, the United Nations General Assembly declared 3rd June as World Bicycle Day. The day is celebrated to emphasise the benefits of using the bicycle as an affordable, environmentally friendly, and health-improving mode of transport. Here, we will talk about the many health benefits of riding a bicycle regularly.

Health benefits of riding a bicycle

Riding a bicycle can offer the following health benefits to children and adults —

1. Boosts immunity:

Cycling can strengthen the immune system and reduce the incidence of infections and other conditions. Having a strong immunity can also expedite wound healing and benefit your overall health.

Supports cardiovascular health:

Riding a bicycle strengthens heart muscles and reduces harmful fats in blood. Therefore, cycling is a wonderful exercise that can support your cardiovascular health and alleviate the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack.

However, if you are suffering from any of these health conditions already, make sure you consult your doctor before cycling or engaging in any other form of strenuous activity. Also, keep adequate individual health insurance or family floater handy to cover your medical bills. If there is a medical emergency, you can reach your insurance provider's nearest network or non-network hospital without worrying about the expenses.

3. Keeps body weight in check:

This is one of the most important benefits of riding a bicycle regularly. Cycling increases your metabolic rate and burns body fat. It can also build muscles and boost your overall strength and well-being. Therefore, engaging in this fun and simple exercise regularly can help you shed those extra pounds and keep away associated health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, stroke, sleep apnoea, and high cholesterol levels.

4. Strengthens legs:

Cycling is an excellent form of workout for the legs. It can strengthen the muscles and promote your fitness levels. Cycling targets different groups of muscles in the legs, such as the quads, glutes, hamstrings, and calves, and improves flexibility.

5. Improves joint mobility:

Cycling boosts the production of synovial fluid that lubricates the joints and promotes flexibility and mobility, especially of the hips, knees, and ankles. It can also lower your odds of developing knee pain or arthritis.

6. Improves mental health:

In addition to physical health, cycling can promote your mental health and ease stress, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, cycling can also improve concentration, brain power, and overall cognitive health.

7. Supports a healthy mood:

Cycling or any other exercise promotes the release of endorphins in the body. Endorphins are one of the feel-good hormones that help ease pain and stress and improve mood and well-being. Therefore, riding a bicycle regularly can have a positive impact on your mood and keep away feelings of sadness or depression.

8. Helps during cancer treatment:

Cycling can also help people who are recovering from cancer. It reportedly reduces the side effects of cancer treatment, such as pain and fatigue and supports better mood. However, it is important to listen to your body, consult the treating doctor, and cycle under the guidance of your care team.

Cancer is a life-threatening condition that may require long-term and expensive treatment. Therefore, if there is a family history of cancer, you must buy health insurance with critical illness coverage early in life. If you get diagnosed with the condition, the insurer provider will come to your rescue and save you from huge financial setbacks.

9. Improves posture and balance:

Riding a bicycle regularly can also improve your overall posture and balance. Poor balance increases the risk of falls and fractures, especially in less active people. Balance also begins to decline with age or due to weak legs and certain health conditions. Cycling can help improve these issues and reduce the risk of injury.

10. Increases longevity:

Riding a bicycle regularly can reduce your risk of high blood pressure, T2DM (type 2 diabetes mellitus), different types of carcinoma, and other life-threatening conditions. It also strengthens the immune system and keeps away infections and illnesses. Therefore, cycling and staying active can promote your overall health and increase longevity.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for ways to promote your health and fitness levels, include cycling in your exercise regimen. You can also use it as a mode of transport, especially for short trips, to reduce your carbon footprint. Riding a bicycle regularly can also promote flexibility of the joints and muscles and prevent associated injuries. In addition to cycling and following healthy lifestyle habits for good health and well-being, you must cover yourself and your loved ones under the right health insurance policies. If there is a medical emergency or planned procedure, the insurer will cover the bills and ease your worries.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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