Does Riding a Motorcycle Relieve Stress?

• Table of Contents
• 1. Does Riding a Motorcycle Relieve Stress?
• 2. The Study by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
• 3. How Does Reducing the Cortisol Level Help Relieve Stress?
• 4. How Does High Cortisol in Your Blood Affect Your Health?
• 5. How Does Riding a Motorcycle Relieve Stress?
• 5.1 Fresh Air Can Help You Relax
• 5.2 Riding in a Group Can Help You Socialize
• 5.3 Helps Reduce Screen Time
• 5.4 Helps Divert Your Mind
• 5.5 Riding a Motorcycle is a Form of Light Exercise
• 6. Motorcycle Therapy
• 7. Final Words

“Mental health is only a motorcycle ride away.”

Motorcycle riding is more than just an exciting and fun activity. There are several other benefits of motorcycle riding according to scientific studies. If you are stressed due to your work, personal life, or finances, start riding a motorcycle. Read this article to learn whether riding a motorcycle relieves stress.

1. Does Riding a Motorcycle Relieve Stress?

Yes, riding a motorcycle relieves stress as proven in a recent scientific study. One of the key findings of the study states:

“Riding a motorcycle helps decrease the cortisol level by over 25%.”

Related: MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF MOTORCYCLE RIDING

2. The Study by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)

The study conducted by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and funded by Harley Davidson involved comparing the hormone levels and brain activity of the participants. There were three types of participants involved in this study, including motorcycle riders, car drivers, and those who were instructed to rest. Hormone levels and brain activities were recorded in three stages: before, during, and after the ride.

The study found riding a motorcycle can relieve your stress and make you feel happy by increasing your dopamine level by 27%. It helps you be attentive, responsive, and improves your cognitive ability. The motorcycle riders had better sensory focus and alertness than the car drivers.

3. How Does Reducing the Cortisol Level Help Relieve Stress?

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the body that causes feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. It is essential to keep your body’s cortisol level to a minimum.

4. How Does High Cortisol in Your Blood Affect Your Health?

Having a high cortisol level in your blood can result in a weakened immune system and inflammation. A high cortisol level can also increase blood pressure and heart rate.

5. How Does Riding a Motorcycle Relieve Stress?

5.1 Fresh Air Can Help You Relax

Staying at home for a long period and following the same routine can negatively affect your mood and mental health. Going on a motorcycle tour, off-road adventure ride, and breathing fresh air can help lighten your mood.

5.2 Riding in a Group Can Help You Socialize

Though riding alone can help improve your mental health, riding in a group can also help relieve stress. Most people who feel sad or stressed often isolate themselves, which can results in them becoming depressed. Socializing by riding in a group can help you meet new people with the same interests and make new friends.

Related: HOW TO STAY AWAKE & ALERT DURING LONG MOTORCYCLE TRIPS?

5.3 Helps Reduce Screen Time

Recent studies have revealed that excessive use of social media and increased use of electronic devices has encouraged a sedentary lifestyle among more people, resulting in isolation and stress. An outdoor activity like motorcycle riding can help you get away from your electronics and get some fresh air.

5.4 Helps Divert Your Mind

When riding a motorcycle, you have to watch the traffic on the road, traffic signals, incoming vehicles, and any road hazards. Focusing on riding safely can help you forget the original cause of your stress.

5.5 Riding a Motorcycle is a Form of Light Exercise

Riding a motorcycle is a form of light exercise that promotes an active lifestyle and improves your confidence. Going on an adventure off-road trip can also help you burn calories. Various studies have shown that exercise can help improve your mental health and reduce stress levels.

Related: HOW TO STAY IN RIDING SHAPE OVER THE HOLIDAYS

6. Motorcycle Therapy

A social psychologist, Amy Cuddy, wrote in her book Presence that maintaining a particular pose like when doing yoga can help improve blood circulation and release hormones that can help you relax.

When riding a motorcycle, you usually sit with an upright back and ride against the wind, which can encourage the release of testosterone and dopamine and reduce cortisol production.

An appropriate level of cortisol in the bloodstream will help improve performance by sharpening your focus, precision, decision-making, and reaction time, all essential for riding a motorcycle safely. Motorcycle riders have reported that motorcycle therapy helped make them feel happy, forget about their stress, and improved focus.

7. Final Words

Motorcycle riding has several mental health benefits, including relieving stress, improving your mood, and improving your focus, response time, decision-making, and precision.

Cortisol is the stress hormone that causes anxiety, depression, and stress. If the cortisol level in your blood becomes high, it can cause certain mental health issues. Riding a motorcycle can help relieve stress by reducing the level of cortisol in your blood. Riding a motorcycle can also help you socialize, reduce time spent on electronics, encourage spending time outdoors, and distract you from the causes of stress.

If you are feeling stressed and worried about your work, personal life, finances, or career, a scenic motorcycle tour can help you take your mind off your worries. However, to have a better touring experience, Viking Bags has a wide range of aftermarket parts and luggage options available, including sissy bars, fairings, crash bars, handlebars, backrests, saddlebags, and backpacks.