Have You Taken Your 10,000 Steps Today? 06.04.2016

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Can something as simple as taking 10,000 steps each day really help solve your health problems? Well it’s certainly true you will burn about 400 calories. That can’t be a bad thing! Regular walking is known to reduce blood pressure, and lower the risks of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It can also help lift the mood and lower the risk of depression. A long term study found that bus drivers, who sit all day, have far higher rates of death from heart disease than bus conductors who walk about. So let’s take a look at how you can incorporate 10,000 steps into your day without making significant changes to your lifestyle.

10,000 steps sound like a lot

The average American walks about 5,900 steps per day, but some of us lead such sedentary lives that we may average a lot less than that. Of course, 10,000 is not a magical number that we have to hit or all is lost. If someone can increase from walking say 5,000 up to 7,000 steps per day, then that is great, they will become healthier in the long run. The reason that 10,000 is continually quoted is because it is an achievable number for many people and is a number that would create astounding health benefits. So how does somebody with a busy schedule increase the number of steps they walk?

How to walk more

It’s helpful to buy a pedometer or download an app which records how many steps you have taken. These can help remind you that every extra step is a good thing and help fuel the challenge. Here are some ideas on how to increase the steps you take each day:

• A 10 minute brisk walk will usually mean about 1,000 steps
• Get off the bus one stop earlier
• An afternoon strolling around the shops can easily use several thousand steps without you noticing! So grab your shopping list and off you go!
• Take the stairs not the escalator
• Go out for a walk.
• If you like animals then maybe buy a dog, or offer to walk a neighbour’s dog.

Another great change you can make to your life is simply to stand more. The more you stand the more steps you take. Next time you’re working at the computer, try propping the laptop up on a chair on top of the desk so you are standing, rather than sitting. You’ll find that if your mind starts to wander then you will too. You’ll walk instead of surfing the net and then quickly return to work and actually get more done. During an hour of working this way you might have walked extra 500 steps without realising it. So why don’t you give it a try? Whether you’re working, surfing the net or even watching television stand up and turn it into a healthy habit!