Week 223

Positive post Sunday, May 30, 2021…. Week 223. 

This is part 2 of the National Safety Council’s Safety Observance Calendar PPS.  Last week, I focused on National Water Safety Month and this week I’ll focus on both National Bike Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, all 3 observed in May.  For those that missed last week, here is the link to NSC’s Safety Observance Calendar: Safety Observance Calendar – National Safety Council (nsc.org).

Here are a few other websites that I have found helpful: 

http://bikeleague.org/bikemonth: This is The League of American Cyclists website with some important bike safety information and statistics.  You can learn how safe bicycling can improve your mental health and even learn how to become a League Cycling Instructor to promote better biking through education.

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may: America Mental Health recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of people of all ages.  AMH shares their Mental Health Month toolkit materials, practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase their resiliency.  You can even take a mental health quiz. 

Recognizing that one of the benefits of SAFE bicycling is improving mental health, the NSC strategically placed National Bike Month and Mental Health Awareness Month in the same month.  How fitting as cycling is scientifically proven to positively affect one’s mental health.  With shelter-in-place and physical distancing requirements due to the challenges of COVID-19, this has been especially significant in 2020 and this year.  

Cycling apparel company Bicycle Booth has done a good job linking the benefits of cycling with improved mental health.  Here is the link to their Facebook post titled 6 Benefits of Cycling for Mental Health: (20+) Bicycle Booth – Posts | Facebook.  Here’s the list for those that don’t click on the Link: 

1. Cycling beats depression
2. Cycling improves your memory
3. Cycling helps you feel good
4. Cycling gives you a sense of satisfaction
5. Cycling helps you socialize 
6. Cycling improves creativity

Those that know me well, especially my family, might think this post is an effort to support or justify my passion, obsession, addiction (you get the point) for cycling.  Although they may be right, I can think of worse obsessions!  Those of us who love cycling, pedal for many reasons.  Regardless of our reasons, there is no doubt that we all benefit from improved mental and physical fitness. 

Keep on pedaling, SAFELY!!!

If you cycle, do you wear the appropriate personal protective gear?

In what ways do you exercise your body and mind to improve your mental health?