The science is quite clear: walk and live longer; exercise and live even longer.
Hardly news, the mountain of research on the benefits of walking was recently augmented with yet another study, showing that people who took 8,000 steps per day halved the risk of all-cause mortality compared to those who only took 4,000 steps per day.
In its three year study of 5,000 participants who all wore pedometers, reached the overall conclusion that the more you walk the lower risk of all-cause mortality.
The study practically begs the reader to start moving around more, as it found the barest of minimums were beneficial. For example, the steps were not taken all at the same time, suggesting that on many occasion, the wearer of the pedometer was not even walking for exercise, but rather doing something like errands or chores.
Not only was there no correlation of consecutive steps and lower mortality rate, but there wasn’t even a correlation between step intensity and lower mortality rate, meaning one doesn’t even have to power-walk.
The science is quite clear: walk and live longer; exercise and live even longer.
If you don't have, or don't want to splash out on an Apple watch, in order to track the number of steps you take in a day, Which? magazine - the product survey champions - recommends the Fitbit Charger 4 (pictured) as the best of the wearable technology options. It's just over £100. For under £50, Which? recommends the Samsung Galaxy Fit2.
Dispel the lockdown blues with these science-backed recommendations. Even though temperatures are plummeting, walking is not only a great way to practice mindfulness, but it gets you outside - which everyone knows is great for your mental health. And, during the dark winter months, it’s even more important for several reasons...