General Is Riding Motorcycles Therapeutic?

[Moto Mengy]

Is riding motorcycles therapeutic? Most motorcycle riders feel it is, yet many mental health professionals don't believe so. In this motovlog I describe why I feel riding is therapy.

Oh and I also visit a condemned PA scenic overlook!

 

[R-Rated]

There is evidence that riding does have positive affect . . .

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.jsonline.com/amp/2597550002

Me after not riding for a day -

And after a ride...

 

[Drakhen99]

Motorcycling IS therapeutic... even my counselor buddy says so

I covered it briefly in a "mental health day" video I did earlier this year. If only the audio was better on that one ... [may have to re-do it for 2021]

-John

 

[LandyVlad]

Riding the curves and being one with the bike - yep, awesome.

Navigating city traffic and a higher proportion than usual of dickheads trying to kill me - not so much.
However even then I still feel better for having ridden rather than taking the train.

I think one of the reasons is that riding a motorcycle, safely, requires focus. And if you are focusing on traffic, maintaining situational awareness etc then your brain doesn't have time to cogitate on whatever dramas may be going on in your life.

Well that's my theory.

 

[Drakhen99]

Don't forget: While you're riding, you're also BETTER than the cagers, somehow superior to all of them, no matter what fancy-ass ride they may be IN.

-John

 

[Moto Mengy]

...
And after a ride...

View attachment 5481

Man I used to watch Renegade every chance I could when I was younger! He flies helicopters for scenic tours of the Grand Canyon now!

 

[R-Rated]

Man I used to watch Renegade every chance I could when I was younger! He flies helicopters for scenic tours of the Grand Canyon now!

I got a stash of VHS tapes from recording the show back in College

 

[Drakhen99]

Oh man, great minds think alike! I am editing footage from a ride I took about 10 days ago, and I mentioned it twice during my ride!

Man, I miss riding. Stupid salt and ice.

-John

 

[Fool Moon]

i do think riding is therapeutic because as an activity, it has so much self-talk that you deal with your problems. I disagree with the idea that riding makes you feel better when you're upset. i'd rather ride when i'm bothered than do anything else, but the act of riding doesn't change how i feel deep down and even affects how i ride. Sticking your head in a helmet traps you with yourself, so the more you ride, the more conversations you have with yourself too.

 

[Drakhen99]

i do think riding is therapeutic because as an activity, it has so much self-talk that you deal with your problems. I disagree with the idea that riding makes you feel better when you're upset. i'd rather ride when i'm bothered than do anything else, but the act of riding doesn't change how i feel deep down and even affects how i ride. Sticking your head in a helmet traps you with yourself, so the more you ride, the more conversations you have with yourself too.

I'm gonna go ahead and agree with you there...

If I'm in a really crappy mood, yeah, no riding. I'll just take it out on the cagers around me and risk wrecking, which is no good.

If I have back pain, I ride. If I need a quick pick-me-up, I ride. If I am way over the moon happy, I ride.

The conversations I have with myself are often therapeutic, and I return much more relaxed and clear of head than when I left.

-John

 

[Meifesto]

As basic as this is, it can be true. A
And quite often it is true.

Some people, when they feel down, ride their cars down the block. We do it with our bikes.
Whether you are talking, listening to music or just being "blanc", more often than not it empties your minds.
It drops the thoughts on the tarmac where they stay, laying down, while you cruise onwards.

 

[HRMV]

Yes I would definitely say it is.

Between that and the gym I should really be as chilled as a Buddhist monk... Just the rest of life that gets in the way and raises the stress levels.