{"id":182032,"date":"2021-03-03T08:11:11","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T08:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=182032"},"modified":"2021-03-03T08:11:11","modified_gmt":"2021-03-03T08:11:11","slug":"how-to-be-happier-as-a-cyclist-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2021\/03\/03\/how-to-be-happier-as-a-cyclist-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Be Happier (as a Cyclist) This Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

With spring knocking on the door, it\u2019s a good time of year to reflect on New Year\u2019s resolutions. Did you stick to them? And did they help you feel happier? If you\u2019re like most people, the answer to both is probably no. The reason is not because losing weight or racing faster are wrong goals. The problem is that we are not very good at estimating what will make us happy. Let\u2019s see if experts in psychology and motivation can help us here.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Three basic needs<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Happy<\/a><\/p>\n

One of the most widely accepted frameworks<\/a> of human motivation in behavioural science, self-determination theory (SDT), suggests that if we lack motivation or are unhappy, it could be because we are not fulfilling one of 3 basic needs.<\/p>\n

Relatedness<\/strong> \u2013 This is a need to interact with, work with, feel connected to, and experience caring for others.<\/p>\n

Competence<\/strong> \u2013 This is a need to feel in control of the outcome, feel effective, have a sense of accomplishment, and experience mastery.<\/p>\n

Autonomy<\/strong> \u2013 This is a need to feel overall psychological liberty and to be able to engage in activities in which you feel true volition and find personal value.<\/p>\n

Giving to others checks all three boxes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Help\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Richard Ryan, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Rochester, who helped develop SDT about 40 years ago, says: \u201cThink of how you can help. There\u2019s a lot of distress out there. If we can set goals<\/a> that aim to help others, those kinds of goals will, in turn, also add to our own well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n

Together with Edward Deci, co-author of SDT, they say that all humans have a natural tendency to behave in effective and healthful ways. But these are not automatic. They need to be activated. \u201cIf you want to make a New Year\u2019s resolution that really makes you happy, think about the ways in which you can contribute to the world. All three of these basic needs are fulfilled. The research shows it\u2019s not just good for the world but also really good for you,\u201d says Ryan.<\/p>\n

Offer help to other cyclists<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Friends<\/a><\/p>\n

So, knowing that helping the world<\/a> and helping others is a pretty reliable way to make yourself feel happier and more motivated, what can you do about it? Here are a few ideas how to help as a cyclist.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Commute by bike. Help reduce emissions and traffic congestion.
\n\u2022 Get a friend into cycling. Help them fix up<\/a> their old bike and take them out for a ride.
\n\u2022 Volunteer to help organize<\/a> a local cycling race, triathlon, or a group ride.
\n\u2022 Offer advice to less experienced cyclists in your community<\/a> offline and online.
\n\u2022 Stop and offer help if you see a cyclist (or anyone) in need on the side of the road or trail.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s always someone who can use your help. Make yourself available and be a happier cyclist this year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With spring knocking on the door, it\u2019s a good time of year to reflect on New Year\u2019s resolutions. Did you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":181611,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[332],"tags":[4984,4982,4986,4985,4983,4987],"global-categories":[3366],"class_list":["post-182032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-and-training","tag-edward-deci","tag-how-to-be-happier","tag-richard-ryan","tag-sdt","tag-self-determination-theor","tag-university-of-rochester","global-categories-cycling"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Be Happier (as a Cyclist) This Year - \u0160koda We Love Cycling<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"With spring knocking on the door, it\u2019s a good time of year to reflect on New Year\u2019s resolutions. Did you stick to them? 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