10,000 Steps Myth BUSTED (What the SCIENCE Really Says)
You might not be able to run from all your problems… but you CAN walk your way to better heart health AND a longer life.
But how many daily steps does it take to make a REAL difference?
The good news is it’s not nearly as many as you’ve likely been told…
Standard advice says to aim for walking 10,000 steps daily—but what’s that based on?
As it turns out, not much.
The results from an analysis of 12 different studies, including over 100,000 people, indicate that you can set your sights a LOT lower.
And for many folks, THAT might be the news needed to finally get motivated.
If you’re not very active, to begin with, walking 2,600 to 2,800 steps daily can lead to BIG heart health benefits AND help you live significantly longer.
It’s FANTASTIC news for anyone who has shied away from physical activity because just THINKING about walking 10,000 steps was paralyzing.
But here’s the thing…
Once you’ve mastered that minimum, you’ll get additional benefits for every 500 steps you go beyond it.
Overall, 7,000 steps are ideal to get the MOST heart-health benefits, and 8,000 SLASHES your risk of premature death.
This translates to walking a little less than four miles.
Ultimately, regardless of how many steps you take, the faster you walk, the greater the health benefits.
In other words, pick up those feet and get that blood pumping!
This study focused on reducing heart and mortality risks, but being more physically active can ALSO improve your sleep, mental health, metabolism, bone health, and more.
So, whether you’re walking fast or slow, near or far, the message is clear: Get moving.
P.S. Avoid THIS countdown to heart disease.
SOURCE:
Stens, N, Bakker, E, Mañas, A. et al. “Relationship of Daily Step Counts to All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Events.” J Am Coll Cardiol. 2023 Oct, 82 (15) 1483–1494. doi. org/ 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.07.029
