The specialist spoke about the benefits of counting steps for health

Counting steps helps to improve health, maintain weight and strengthen cognitive functions. Daily activity, whether it's walking, housework, or exercise, adds up and helps prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, memory problems, and mood. This was reported on December 3 in the journal Medical Xpress.

Mackenzie Long, a specialist at the Mayo Clinic, said that any way to track your steps — a phone, smartwatch, or pedometer - helps you understand how much you move during the day. The main goal is to move at least 150 minutes a week. Regular walking helps control blood pressure, reduce weight, improve balance, coordination, and body strength, reduces stress levels, and improves mood through the release of endorphins. Walking also reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, helps slow down mental aging and maintain an independent lifestyle in old age.

As the expert noted, although the goal of 10 thousand steps per day is considered popular, studies have shown that the main benefit is achieved already with 4-8 thousand steps, and after 10 thousand the effect begins to gradually stabilize. It is not so much the pace that is important, as the regularity and total activity: walking the dog, housework or gardening — all this adds up to a common load.

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Long recommended starting with a gradual increase in steps, focusing on body sensations. Simple techniques include parking farther from the entrance, walking in place while waiting for the timer, and making multiple passes with packages instead of one. Even slow walking has health benefits, and fast walking is determined individually: when you can talk but experience mild shortness of breath.

Research has shown that walking improves brain function, cognitive function, and overall well-being. Even small daily walks bring significant benefits, strengthening the body and maintaining mental health.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on December 1 that the benefits of walking to slow down cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease may appear with fewer steps than previously thought.

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