How do you choose your everyday transportation?

I usually go from downtown Tallinn near Superministry to Mektory in the morning and back in the evening, and mostly I use public transportation: from the Koidu stop, buses No. 23 and 24 and trolleybus No. 3 go to TalTech. Most of the time, I prefer to travel by bus 24, because it takes the most direct route to the bus stop next to Mektory and leaves every 7 minutes. If I still have to go somewhere after work or during work, I decide whether to come to work by car or by public transportation – it really depends on where and how quickly I need to go. Sometimes I have also asked some colleagues for a ride when I haven't come by car and I need to go somewhere not easily accessible by public transportation.

What have you gained by using public transportation instead of a car?

I have both won and lost. Wins: 1) I get to work faster with bus No. 24 than with my car, considering that I have to take the vehicle from the garage first and then return it to the garage. 2) In public transportation, I don't have to drive the vehicle, but I can already read all the most important news on the way to work. 3) The risks related to the driving of the vehicle shall be borne by the organization providing the public transportation. 4) Free public transportation has also resulted in financial savings. Loss: I have been sick with more viral diseases this past winter than in previous winters. I suspect that in many cases I picked up the virus from public transportation.

I also get around by bicycle, kayak, skis, foot and swimming. Unfortunately, I still go to work by public transportation, because coming to work from downtown, e.g. by bicycle, would take a lot of time and would require many stops to let traffic from side roads pass. Unfortunately, there are no good bicycle paths from downtown to Mustamäe.

Many people justify their low physical activity (and excessive use of the car) with lack of time and fatigue. How do you find the time and energy?

I have found that using public transportation is a time saver, not a waste of time. I have also set myself so-called training goals to keep myself in shape. If you exercise, you will feel less tired. With mental work, physical activity is helpful in order to rest. I go swimming, hiking, kayaking, recently on a ski trip in Norway and Sweden. The physical form improved significantly there.

What do you recommend to those not yet exercising regularly?

I would suggest they read up on mental health vitamins. Going around in nature promotes mental health and helps improve the quality of life. Walking in nature helps you see life from a different perspective, and thus small things don't seem so important anymore. Therefore, I recommend moving in nature and noticing what is happening in nature. It gives life another additional perspective.

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