Video: Dr Steve Peters explains how a fit body helps keep a healthy mind

I had a crash about 3 months ago, and one of the tougher parts has been the resulting depression. It's something I have a tendency towards generally, and it's helped that it had a specific and definable set of causes, but crumbs! 8 weeks off exercising did not help.
The improvement in my mood from the first week I started riding a little was like night and day. There's a lot of body chemicals that keep the brain in check that are boosted by exercise. At the moment I can tell I'm not totally balanced, but at least it's a heck of a lot better base state to be a bit iffy from.

In a previous job I used to have a 25 mile round trip commute every day, which I cycled. There were occasions where I'm sure I was more productive cycling home than I had been all day, as I could think much more clearly about problems I was trying to resolve while cycling than by staring at them on a computer screen.

I always feel much better after a ride, even the commute to and from work, it's a feeling of being cleansed and free to think. Lots of things get put into perspective while riding my bike, it's a meditation.

And then of course there is always the sense of achievement after climbing a hill, and the thrill of the decent.

Life without my bike would be.......... unthinkable!

Just over 2 years ago I was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and mild depression. I have been cycling for about 5 years now. Just prior to my diagnosis, I was very hard on myself if I didn't have a 'perfect' experience every time I went out on a bike whether that be a short spin, a long club run with the fast group, taking part in a sportive or even a few races.

When I was diagnosed, I was put on a course of medication (Lyrica) for GAD and have been attending regular Cognitive Behavioural Therapy sessions. I was offered additional medication for depression, but through personal choice I decided not to. One of the side effects of Lyrica is the potential to put on weight - my metabolism has slowed somewhat. During the past 2 years I've changed my approach to cycling to manage my physical and mental health a lot better.

Sometimes it is just so bloody hard to get off my backside and get out on the bike, but I know that it is good for me. It's just too easy to let all the negative crap take over to the point where you are so anxious about 'not getting it right', having a mechanical, having an accident or being consumed with work issues. When I get out on the bike, I just feel at home ... the negatives just get left behind.

When I have occasional bad bouts of anxiety, the bike is a really excellent way of helping me work things out, thanks to the CBT skills I've developed. It also helps me manage my weight too!

When I do get on my bike now, I usually feel good afterwards at the sense of achievement. It's just a sense of well being and being on what I call 'an even keel' where you aren't experiencing extreme highs or lows and where I am able to deal with all the challenges associated with day to day life. I'm enjoying my cycling now a lot more, which encourages me to do it more, which helps my health.

The type of cycling I do now has changed .... I get a lot out of just going for a spin to a local park on my mountain bike(not just the road bike). My latest project is getting my wife and youngest child cycling too, which gives me a great sense of fulfillment.

I haven't done a lot of competition this year, but I feel that I'm getting to a point now where I've got my priorities in order and can do it for the right reasons.

Cycling is now good for me .... long may it continue.

"Exercise is good for you. But it's hard work." Bravo, BBC.

I was on the track whilst they were filming this.
Thankfully i was travelling so fast around the track you cannot see me (and my hairy legs and big fat belly)

Not only your mental health, although it has helped mine, but also keeping your brain from degenerating, as is happening with my Parkinson's.

But keeping myself fit and health will help keep the effects to a minimum