Cycling helps you focus

Your brain wakes up faster

Do you know that feeling? You arrive at work and your head is already full, while your day hasn't even started yet. Most people begin their workday after half an hour of sitting still in the car. That does nothing for your brain. Cycling does, explains cycling scientist Joyce David (Ghent University).

Pure chemistry, not a vague feeling

Cycling triggers the release of several feel-good hormones. Dopamine boosts motivation and focus, so you get started on a task faster and actually finish it. Serotonin keeps your mood stable and improves your sleep quality. And then there are the well-known endorphins, which create a sense of happiness. This isn't some vague notion of wellbeing, it's chemistry: your brain literally gets the building blocks it needs to function better.

What does research show?

In a study by researcher Hillman, participants' attention, memory and problem-solving ability improved after just one cycling session. So you don't start your day from a state of rest, but from a brain that's already activated.

Your brain is also constantly adapting and forming new connections, a property known as neuroplasticity. Regular movement stimulates the production of BDNF, a protein involved in the maintenance and growth of brain cells.

Short and long-term effects

In the short term, you'll see improvements in attention, alertness and mood, especially in the first few hours after cycling. In the long term, it leads to better brain health and improved cognitive function.

Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18094706/

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