Commuting elevates mood?

[malaholic]

Absolutely. When I'm able to ride into work, not only am I in a generally better mood, but I can concentrate better and I'm much more productive. Then when I ride back home, no matter what I had to deal with at work, it all leaves my system and I can just relax.

Not to mention that with traffic I can usually do the ride home in about the same time as it would take me to drive....not having to sit in traffic for an hour is a mood-booster too.

[lph]

Are you kidding??

Oh yeah.

[Geonz]

As a matter of fact, yes.

It's even reasonably well documented... and I remember an almost unrelated article in the NY Times wherein a psychiatrist expounding that actually, sometimes it's better to keep things in than to let 'em out, mentioned as an aside that almost everybody could be mentally healthy if they'd simply take up serious exercise.

I went from being normal to having what has been called clinical euphoria. More objectively, I am *much* more productive when riding a lot.

[Biciclista]

not to mention after a month of commuting my abdomen flattens out nicely.

[malkin]

Yep.

[PamNY]

It's even reasonably well documented... and I remember an almost unrelated article in the NY Times wherein a psychiatrist expounding that actually, sometimes it's better to keep things in than to let 'em out, mentioned as an aside that almost everybody could be mentally healthy if they'd simply take up serious exercise.

I remember reading that, I think. I'll see if I can find it for another thread.

Ana, I'm not surprised by anything you wrote -- and I'm so glad you are experiencing such good stuff. I don't really commute by bike, but I ride my Xootr to as many social events as possible. I'm in a much better mood when I arrive.

Personally, I'm having to resist becoming a zealot about the mental health benefits of recreational biking.

Pam

[lph]

The flip side is that injuries, bike breakdowns or other enforced cycling breaks make me start behaving like Scrat.

[silver179951]

i find that when i ride places, i arrive in a better mood. i dont have a very long ride, but when i get there i feel ready to go.

[madscot13]

rain doesn't really make me chipper. and I always forget that biking in sub zero temps are the pits.