Blue Monday is the most depressing day of the year
Blue Monday happens to be the ‘most depressing day of the year’ and occurs on the third Monday of every January. Returning to work after the festive period, cold dark mornings, and nights and still a week away from payday all contribute to many of us feeling blue.
It’s been a tough time for much of the country over the last 18 months. Government statistics have shown that the number of adults over the age of 18 suffering from psychological distress rose by almost a third following the first national lockdown in March 2020. According to Mind, 1 in 4 people in England experiences some mental health problems every year. This year Blue Monday falls onto the 17th of January, that’s why leading cycle insurer cycleGuard is calling on all bike owners to make a positive impact on their mental health. Just by jumping on the bike, you can blast away the blues and give yourself a much-needed lift.
cycleGuard, who has been insuring professional, amateur and family cyclists for over 20 years has taken this opportunity to highlight mental benefits of cycling and help people overcome their mental health issues.
According to the Department for Transport, there was also 19% rise in the number of people cycling in 2020 as the UK entered its first lockdown. More and more of us looked to hop into the saddle rather than use public transport and keep ourselves active.
Cycling is without doubt one of the best forms of all-round exercise there is. Lower blood pressure, improved cardiovascular capacity and fat burning are just a few of the many well-known benefits. But how much can cycling actually do for our mental health?
Although the NHS recommends at least two hours of exercise a week as a way to combat stress, a study from British Journal of Sports Medicine has shown less than an hour of cycling helps the body produce the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA). This is a naturally occurring chemical that helps to regulate many things within the human body, including stress.
Alex Bennett, Head of Marketing at cycleGuard said “Cycling is a great way of getting some exercise and improving our mood. We’ve all had to deal with a lot over the last year and making sure we get regular exercise is important to keep ourselves healthy both in mind and body.”
“Unlike a gym subscription though, it doesn’t cost anything to get on the bike and you can do it at any time.” Bennett added.
To avoid feeling depressed on this year’s Blue Monday, cycleGuard has put together several mental health benefits of cycling.
You can find out more here:
https://www.cycleguard.co.uk/blue-monday
ENDS