Can How You Get Around Make You Happier? | Ryde Micromobility

What if moving around your community, running errands, or getting to and from work wasn’t something to dread, but in fact something that improved your mental health and well being? During the pandemic, people began thinking a lot about their mental health and the well-being, especially as we all worked from home. As we now return to the workplace, people are rethinking if it’s worth sitting in bumper-to-bumper car traffic. A shift is taking place in workplace commuting in tandem with individual well-being and health. The impact on people’s mental health when they feel as though their commute is fun and clear, is immeasurable. People have highly positive associations with the feeling of riding a rented shared e-mobility. According to a study in 2020, 46% of people who rode on a shared e-scooter felt “adventurous” and four out of ten felt “joyful” (41% to be precise).

            To combat this stress, it is becoming essential to maintain personal health above all else because too much stress can manifest physically and can also lead to anxiety disorders.  Aerobic exercises such as cycling have been proven to reduce stress and help in bettering riders’ state of mind. Stress can lead to muscle tightness, and exercising – particularly riding an e-Bike, which is a full-body workout – helps loosen and relax the muscles while also strengthening them. Studies have proven that even short spurts of exercise on a daily basis can help to improve people’s mood and that those who have active lifestyles have reported feeling better overall than those who don’t. This may aid in higher levels of confidence and self-esteem, which can lead to an overall improved mental state.  

            Through e-mobility commuting, riders are experiencing “flow,” which is a concept in positive psychology that fully immerses people in an activity which consequently contributes to better mental well-being. Renowned media psychologist Emma Kenny, agrees that using e-mobility is a fantastic way for people to not only reduce their carbon footprint but also feel free and embrace a nostalgic, childlike experience in the fresh air. “It’s fantastic to see research that gives insight into how small pleasures can make a big difference in our everyday lives,” Kenny said. “Positively managing our mental health is key to living a happier and healthier life and that’s why it’s so important to take part in activities that are fun and thrilling, and that benefit our lives in a multitude of ways.”

            Whether you’re dashing to a board meeting, or heading for a University lecture, e-mobility offers a great alternative solution to commuting and travel needs. E-mobility rental programs provide the freedom and flexibility for exploration, as well as fuel your brain with oxygen, leaving you happier and more relaxed at the end of your journey or commute. Paired with the cardiovascular health benefits, E-mobility is becoming the more logical solution to bring about positive changes to ones mental and physical health, ultimately making for happier riders.