Will Taking 10,000 Steps a Day Boost Your Health?
“There’s nothing magical about 10,000 steps,” Arent says. It can be a great target to aim for, but it’s not the be-all and end-all of health and fitness.
“I encourage people to not focus on one number or one part of their health,” says Larry Nolan, DO, a sports medicine physician and associate professor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. Instead of fixating on a single number, aim to improve different factors that affect your health, such as sleep, diet, stress management, and lack of sufficient exercise.
Still, counting steps may help you stay on top of your physical activity and reduce your sitting time. “There are a lot of people who are actually shocked at how little they move in a day, so if nothing else, counting steps can be a great wake-up call,” Arent says.
You don’t have to aim for 10,000 steps, but as you get accustomed to counting steps, you may be able to identify times during the day when you can squeeze in extra movement. “Find a target that works for you and pursue it,” Dr. Nolan says.
Most importantly, enjoy the process. Find activities you like and remember to appreciate the things your body is capable of doing. “Movement is something that we’re fortunate enough to be able to do, and the more you do it, the longer you’ll be able to maintain that ability,” Arent says.
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