Are 8,000 steps the way to long life? Forget the new study, begin with 3,000 and add 500 gradually

For a while, let’s suspend the compliance of science and research and go with internal biofeedback of each constitution separately. Much before science came into existence, humans used to walk, that too long distances and that too at leisurely speeds. Slow combustion is a winner. Let’s understand the case of a tortoise and a rabbit. Who wins eventually? The tortoise also lives longer.

My suggestion to people would be that we are different sizes and shapes and we are of different weights. If you suddenly ask overweight people to walk at a particular pace and a certain count of steps, that could be actually detrimental. Please start slow. My best understanding would be that 2,500 to 3,000 steps to start with and that too slowly would just be fine. Rest between every 500 steps. Stop, twist, turn, side-bend, do forward-backward bending. Recover your breath with breathing in and breathing out and resume your steps. If this is done, you get additional value out of your walk. Every 15 days, add 500 steps and see the way your body is taking it. Then gradually scale up to 600, then 700 steps.

Overweight people should still take it slower and more easily. They could start with 750 to 1,000 steps a day and keep a slower pace. Otherwise, they could become the first victims of stress on the heart. To avoid any untoward incident like cardiac arrest, adhere to sub-maximal low intensity exercise with rhythmic breathing.

Following can be the benefits of the right target and right pace of walking:

Emotional Control: Using the right targetted walk regularly can help with emotional control. People can more effectively comprehend and control their emotions if they can observe their thoughts and feelings without passing judgement.

Improve focus and concentration: Focussing on one thing at a time with one’s full attention can help promote efficiency and calmness amid activity. When we focus on one thing at a time, we are not scattered. Our attention and energy are aligned.

Improves sleep quality: Silence and tranquil intervals promote brain development and reduce stress, which can lead to a greater sense of well-being since people can feel more relaxed overall. “When this happens, sleep quality improves.”

Better heart and vascular health: One low-impact cardiovascular workout is walking. Reaching the suggested step count can assist in reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and associated disorders.

Weight control: Walking on a regular basis can help avoid obesity and ease weight management. Sustaining a healthy weight is critical to general health.

Enhanced mental health: Walking is a known way to produce endorphins, which can lower stress, lessen depressive symptoms and improve your mood and mental health in general.

A higher level of physical fitness: Your whole physical health, including muscle tone, joint flexibility and endurance can be enhanced by regular walking.

Listen to your body and set a realistic goal. Incorporate walking in your routine, do warm-ups, stretches and stay consistent with it.