I have been flying a lot these days and boy, does sitting for long hours take its toll on one’s body. It’s why the aisle seat is my favorite choice so I can stand and move around intermittently. I couldn't care less about the awkward glances from other passengers. I keep it moving 😅
Hey there,
Welcome to the 14th issue of 2 cents on a coin!
As I pen this during another flight, I think about how my now regular practice which keeps my blood flowing and me sane is not possible when traveling long hours in a car.
It’s not been long since I spent hours in a car stuck in Lagos’ deathly traffic. 8 million people in Lagos still do - spending 4 hours on average sitting during the daily commute. While in the EU and the US, people spend 50 minutes on average (twice the average one-way commute in the EU and US) mostly sitting in a car.
And what is it about sitting - it’s one of the most natural and comfortable forms our bodies take but when in this position too frequently and for too long, studies have shown that such immobility is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. It’s not only the heart that suffers though - it seems like sitting for long hours contributes to muscle atrophy, spine & back issues, depression, and a higher risk of diabetes.
In the discourse about healthy mobility, most of the dialogue presents alternative forms of transport that allow our bodies to stay active, like walking and cycling, as the solution.
A lot has been said about the negative impacts of motorized transport on health and conversely, how other more active forms of commuting contribute to better health as they keep our bodies mobile during the commute.
But what if walking and cycling or scooting are not viable options for a person? 1 in 5 people in Europe commute up to 29km daily to & from home and the workplace. In Egypt, a country with the longest average commute distance in the world, most people travel close to 40km on their daily commute. These sorts of distances between the workplace and home do not allow for walking/cycling. To further exacerbate the issue, many of the countries with a high distance to work also lack the infrastructure to support cycling or scooting in urban areas. Before city designs and infrastructure evolve to support a healthier lifestyle, could there be an interim solution for the millions of us who have to sit such long hours while commuting?
I have some ideas - fitting more cars with massage chairs which could help with some form of body exercise while sitting, or designing vehicles that give people the room to stand. Whew.
Any other ideas? I would love to hear your thoughts. :)