How Many Steps Should You Walk Daily To Prolong Your Life?
There has been an ongoing debate about how many steps a person should walk to maintain a healthy lifestyle and also prolong their life. Some people think that a set number of steps is a good goal to shoot for. However, is that number good for everyone?
Many have heard that walking 10,000 steps a day is great. How was this number calculated? It actually wasn’t. The 10,000 steps per day, which equates to about five miles, originated in Japan in the 1960s. This was the name that a company gave to its pedometer. They chose to set a higher goal to promote healthier living.
The number just stuck and it continues to be a common goal by a lot of people. Regardless of how far you go, walking is a great form of exercise. It is low intensity, can be modified to go slow or fast and helps build muscle in the legs. Walking can even help with weight loss.
While 10,000 may sound great, it is not for everyone. Perhaps you are someone who has been very inactive and basically a couch potato. Starting at 10,000 steps is probably not ideal. It would be best to work your way up to that number gradually.
Is this really the magic number? Not necessarily. Research has found that in order to help reduce the chances of chronic diseases, walking 7,000 to 8,000 steps daily is beneficial. However, those going above and beyond may see even more benefits.
There are lots of ways in which walking helps a person. First, it lifts your mood. Exercise in general has been known to increase mood and help with mental health. It’s a low-impact form of exercise. You can go at your own pace, although going faster will increase your intensity level.
Walking can even help those with lower back pain. It builds muscle and, therefore, can elevate some of the pain felt in the lower back. It’s also something that everyone can do just about anywhere. So, it’s very accessible. Many even use malls to get their walking steps in and do circles around the floor plan to reach their goal. This is especially useful during bad or cold weather.
The more you walk consistently, the better you will feel overall, both physically and mentally. It helps with anxiety, depression and overall stress.
The key to walking is to do what your body will allow. Do not overdo it if your body is not physically able to withstand the exercise.
It’s best to always check with a physician before beginning any exercise program.
Do you walk every day?
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