Week 2 :: Get On The Bus Gus

Week 2 :: Get On The Bus Gus

From Roslyn, WA

Let me just begin with one simple and truthful statement to overarch everything you will read in the following lines:

There is no guilt in these words, only information for action.

Alright, now that that’s settled, let the good times roll!

Who gets out of their car and says, “Man, do I feel great now!”

and whose low back and neck feel better after a long road trip? If you are answering those questions in the affirmative, you are either a rarity or you are being driven around in a comfortable R.V.

One of the least healthy positions for your body is sitting; and one of the least healthy things for the planet is humans’ use and overuse of fossil fuels (aka driving cars). Could there be a connection to be noted? Perhaps!

Sitting is the position that creates the greatest amount of stress on your low back and driving is no exception. In fact, most cars employ bucket seats (every physical therapist’s sworn enemy) and low ceilings, basically forcing you to slouch in order to see over the wheel (even before you’re 97 years old). Additionally, driving is one of the most static types of sitting, allowing for little to no fidgeting (since you are a safety superstar and wearing your seatbelt) and therefore does not promote flexibility or good circulation through movement.

Fossil fuels (and the machines powered by them…ahem…automobiles) cause damage to many facets of our society. Some of the more obvious and dramatic include, but are certainly not limited to, our air quality, which affects our health on a daily basis and the ozone, two important parts of our continued life on this planet, both in the immediate present and the future.

So, why don’t we all make choices that are healthier for our bodies and our planet? I believe the answer to this question encompasses many factors, but two of the big ones are our increasing reliance on convenience and our perceived lack of options.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting we all quit cars cold turkey or become enforced hermits in order to decrease our reliance on gasoline. But I AM suggesting that we all start taking responsibility for our modes of transit and put some planning and forethought into how we get around. Errands can be completed together taking an efficient route, carpooling can be prioritized, mass transit can be used, and walking or cycling can replace driving whenever possible!

There are two elements that will be instrumental to changing how dependent you are on your car: planning and commitment. If you can commit to changing your transportation habits, you will! But make your goals achievable, here are some ideas to get the mental balls bouncing….boing!

Ride your bike or walk to work 3 times a week. Perhaps this means you only drive half way or split your time half and half with the bus.
Park your car 2 days a week. Commit not to drive on Tuesday and Saturday (for example, nothing real special about Tuesday…) No matter what, on those days you get around another way.
Check out carpools in your area: to work, for your kids to school or daycare, to the gym, for long commutes to different cities, etc. Any activities you do on a regular or semi regular basis can involve carpooling. How often do you see the same people at the gym or your neighbors at the grocery store? How fantastic if we could split gas costs in half, decrease the CO2 in our air, and have a socially enjoyable ride at the same time! This is a great excuse to get to know your ‘hot’ neighbor, co-worker, or fellow rowing machine user.
Pick locations within a few miles of your house that you visit relatively frequently and commit not to drive there. Ever. Create an understanding with yourself that every time you go to that nearby pub, video arcade, Quiki Mart (never!), park, friend’s house, or favorite eatery, you will walk, bike, skip, bus, crawl, or levitate…just not drive.
Create a locational boundary for car usage. Declare that anything within a mile of your home will never justify using your car, no matter what the weather. Buy mittens and a raincoat, the good kind. These items will cost you less than petrol and are better for making you feel warm and snuggly.
These ideas are but a small drop in the proverbial oil bucket and are by no means impossible! If you can only commit to one day a week without wheels, that’s a great start! Every small step you take will build over time and you may be surprised to find how easy it is to stay free from your small prison on wheels.

Just remember, every choice you make will affect both your body and your environment. So get out into the world and stay committed to your sustainable plan!

Morgan Denny PT, DPT
Orthopedic Physical Therapist
Sustainable Practices Advocate