Woman questions benefits of climbing stairs. Netizens feel she has a point

Op-eds and letters from readers being published in newspapers is not a new practice, but when The Times' senior writer Sean O'Neill shared an interesting write-up by a person from Dorset on his X handle, netizens gave an overwhelming response. In the letter submitted to The Times, a person named Martyn Leadley has an interesting take on the benefits of climbing stairs. The post on his X handle @TimesONeill, has been viewed more than 70,000 times and for all the right reasons.

In the write-up titled "Stairway to Heaven," which O'Neill describes as a "superb letter," Leadley has responded to a newspaper article titled "A simple step to live longer- avoid taking the lift." She wrote, "Sir, further to your article on the benefit of taking the stairs ("A simple step to live longer — avoid taking the lift", Apr 27), as a fit 67-year-old I always choose the stairs and espouse the benefits to all who are prepared to listen," Leadley wrote. "A sneaking part of me wonders though, whether a careful analysis might reveal that the extra lifetime hours gained would turn out to have been spent climbing stairs."

Other users on X felt that Leadley was making a valid point by asking that question and they shared their personal opinions in the comments. @EdMRound wrote, "One of the arguments I often hear is that going vegan would help me live longer. I don't see this as an upside if I would have to spend the extra time on Earth eating vegan food." @ElenaAdaal added, "I know it works that way with long-distance running and the extra lifetime you win is spent running." @PETERMINIHAN wondered, "Yes exactly! Plus all those missed conversations in a lift, who knows where they might have led?"

Further, @FrogDeWar joked: "Doesn't this imply that all stairways have some sort of stasis field such that no time passes when you're inside them?"

According to Duke University, there are several benefits of climbing a few flights of stairs daily. Climbing the stairs regularly can help an individual develop higher aerobic capacity and become more physically fit. Along with that, one can lose weight, improve the amount of good cholesterol in the blood, and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints. Going up and down the stairs also lowers the risk of osteoporosis and reduces the risk of developing coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, or colon cancer. It also improves lung function and blood circulation, as per the Center For Health Protection.

Apart from the basic health benefits, climbing stairs has become an important part of an annual event in America as well. According to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, each year participating people climb the 9/11 memorial stairs to pay tribute to FDNY firefighters by scaling the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. A total of 343 members of the FDNY lost their lives on September 11, 2001, per the New York City Fire Museum.