5,000 Steps

Take strides towards a healthier future by walking 5,000 steps per day.

A recent study has found that just 5,000 steps each day can provide a range of benefits to your mental and physical health. Even a small amount of activity can reduce the risk of premature death, strengthen the heart and boost your mood.

Inactivity can cause a lot of problems with a person’s health, but this can be reduced significantly by making an effort to introduce short walks into your daily routine. Walking to the shops instead of driving or getting off the bus a few stops early could be enough to make a difference. The risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes have been proven to reduce following regular exercise, so it is important to walk as many steps as you can.

Mental health can also be improved by short walks. Walking can help you to sleep better, relieve stress, improve your mood and even improve mental alertness. To make walking more enjoyable, try walking with friends, listening to music or walking in the park.

Although the prospect of incorporating regular walks into your daily routine may seem daunting, it is simpler than you imagine.  It is surprisingly easy to reach 5,000 step each day; small tasks like taking the stairs instead of the lift, cleaning, pacing whilst talking on the phone or carrying shopping all add up.

Research has found that every extra 1,00 steps beyond the 4,000 reduced the risk of dying early by 15% up to 20,000 steps. Therefore, if you grow to love 5,000 steps per day, why not increase to 6,000 or more?