In today’s hectic, social media-ruled world, we see everyone talking about completing 10k steps per day. But is it necessary to walk 10k steps every day, or is it just an exaggeration?
Who decided to keep 10k steps as a goal?
So, it was in Japan during the 1960s; there was a marketing campaign. One pedometer named 'Manpo-kei '; it was literally a 10,000-step meter. It was released before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The number was selected because it looked achievable and motivating. Researchers started studying whether there is a benefit to walking 10k steps daily. People across the globe started following this number of steps.
What heart health benefits do we have from walking 10k steps daily?
- It helps to regulate blood pressure.
- Also helps lower bad cholesterol and elevate good cholesterol.
- It improves circulation and helps to make cardiac muscle strong.
- Reduces the risk of stroke and cardiac diseases.
So does that mean you have to complete 10k steps without fail every day?
No, you can always start small. Some movement is better than none. You can start walking 2k steps daily, for example. Every two weeks, you can add an extra number of steps to it. It not only has good benefits for the heart but also for overall health as well.
MBH/PS