Does Riding Motorcycles Help You Cope With Trauma?

[@teridoty4285]

I started riding this year (wish I'd been able to start it long ago), and learned that it not only helps with my adult ADHD, it has helped hugely with my stress levels around work and life in general. If I'm on that bike, the world can collectively F off - this is my time. I shut off notifications for everything on my phone so I'm not interrupted. Riding has also helped with the continuing processing/healing from a childhood story where the only "family member" who was trustworthy was the dog. Even a 15 minute ride is helpful, though more seat time is preferred. I mostly ride alone, and that's 100% ok. Unless there is snow or ice on the ground, I'm riding - it's too beneficial not to. I have 4 season gear and thankfully so far, we have had very little winter weather this year. I think I drove my car maybe 6 times this year between May and November.

[@Ben-jk2zg]

Been watching for a couple months love the vlogs! I have a very similar experience with my best friend of 14 years took his own life while we were in college. Same kinda relationship closer than friends we were brothers. He passed away 2 years ago as well. I don’t ride motorcycles YET so I don’t have that “escape” I find people submerge themselves in the “what ifs” of the situation rather than focusing on experiencing life as it goes on. It definitely keeps you back in time replaying memories and it’s hard to move on. We deal with it similarly, I like to meditate and spend time just out on the front porch smoking one up and watching the birds and the trees. Also spending time with shared friends or family helps. Relating to the people who also lost that same person, you’re not alone. Love the vlogs man keep em up ❤

[@practicalnottactical]

That feeling of flying that we get when riding motorcycles has a positive effect on our overall happiness and mental wellbeing, so it makes sense that it helps to ease trauma too.

[@simtime7591]

it's what non riders call mindfulness, when you ride, your concentration levels are very high, which makes you concentrate on that moment more than any other problems, which in turn helps you process other feelings in a more positive way without your mind wandering off into too much grief. it wont work with a car, because driving a car is mostly auto pilot, when my mum died, i was sobbing my heart out, even when driving, but that didn't happen when i was riding because of the concentration levels you need just to stay balanced.. i think there is more to it than that, like releasing feel good chemicals in your brain and so on, which helps you cope with bad stuff better, but that's the jist of it.

[@NorthernStarShadowRider]

It has helped me so much when I'm riding... yes I ride daily in all weather rain or shine... but i lost my daughter in September of 2021 and my mom January of 2022....I started riding because honestly I wanted it to be my "accidental" way out but instead it has saved me and gave me a therapeutic way of living my life in remembering them and to keep going...now I have my fiance who I grew up with and she always saw my mom as her second mom. But her and her daughter have given me a joy that I thought I had lost and now I still ride for the peace and happiness I feel every time the motor comes to life...and I can't express just how much riding a bike has changed my life and started me down the path I'm on now and gave me a new direction in life to pursue.

[@niallk9336]

There's something about riding a motorcycle that reminds me of taking ice baths. You are instantly put "in the moment", exposed to the elements. It doesn't perfectly make sense... but that's what it reminds me of. Riding to work in the morning... I feel better than when I drive my car. I used to take long drives or showers when facing hard times... but I find the motorcycle is more effective. You don't get a choice on the motorcycle. You have to live in the present. The weather especially.

[@cxwrld]

I've started to notice that I have tendency to wanna "escape" from uncomfortable or sad situations in my life. Having recently been going through some mentally taxing ordeals, I bought my first motorcycle, New-to-me Yamaha R7, in mid-october. I quickly noticed that the ability to hop on the bike and go for a ride to clear my head has been extremely addictive as a method of "dealing with" my emotions. However; I also recognize that my frustrations tend to be taken out on the throttle. I know that this is not the healthy or safe way of doing things so I'd be interested in learning how you or anyone reading deal with loss, stress, frustration, etc. when riding and especially when not being able to ride. Other times when I'm feeling depressed or sad I'll go on slower nighttime cruises and proceed to drive until I am completely lost. This isn't necessarily a new behavior but, I'm sure their are better ways. Genuinely sorry to hear of your loss, Esoteric Rider. I'm sure that our guardian angels are smiling on us daily!

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

My wife has Leukemia. Se has recently had a stroke. Only riding my bike has helped to save my sanity.

[@EsotericRider]

Prayers to you and your wife my friend!!

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

@@EsotericRider Many thanks.

[@GordonBrown-v3c]

And prayers from me in Sydney Australia.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

@@GordonBrown-v3c Thank you, I do appreciate it.

[@FYERFIGHTER]

Yep, she's ridin' with you now bud.

[@quebtinn]

beautiful video

[@levivolaju883]

In the beginning, it feels impossible to distract yourself enough to forget. You’ll cry, and you’ll have to face that pain head-on. But you keep going, day by day, until you reach a place where you truly accept that they’re gone. Really gone. My uncle, my dog... RIP

[@AntipodeanDescent]

Yes and no. I will say therapy and a history of antidepressant didn't really help, but the moment I found a bike and started making friends my life changed for the better. I still had my sad days, but for the most part riding bests the hell out of playing video games at home and wasting away.

[@subijoyacharya3189]

Bro love your videos. Keep making riding videos and discuss topics like mental health , money, relationship. And Congratulations to you, Donald Trump came back to office, will make America great again. Love from India 🇮🇳