How many daily steps do you *really* need?

To aim for 10,000 or not… ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ ͏   ­ [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( Presented by [BATCH]( In a Nutshell That 10,000 daily step goal used to be a constant source of stress for me … until I learned that number is arbitrary. Yes, you read that right! That recommendation actually links back to a 1965 Japanese marketing campaign to sell pedometers! It’s true that increasing your daily step count generally tracks with improved health outcomes, but there’s no specific study that supports 10K as a universal goal. Sure, 10K steps is awesome if you can hit it. But how many steps per day should you be aiming for? Find out below! First up, three health stories you might enjoy: • [10 supplements that fight inflammation]( • [Newly confirmed health benefits of dancing]( • [How stress can affect your vision]( Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor Written by Morgan Mandriota January 29, 2024 • 3.5 min read [Should I worry that I never walk 10,000 steps per day?]( what’s got us buzzing [Should I worry that I never walk 10,000 steps per day?]( First things first, walking virtually any amount can be excellent for your health. According to a [2023 report](, the health benefits of walking kick in at 2,337 steps per day. And the more steps you take from there, the more benefits you can expect to see. In fact, with every additional 1,000 steps you add to your day, your risk of death from any cause could drop by as much as 15%! According to a [2011 study](, “healthy adults” tend to take anywhere from 4,000–18,000 steps every day. Your daily step count goal will depend on your age, health, and fitness goals. But as a general rule of thumb, here’s [how many steps]( you might want to work toward every day for optimal well-being: - Up to 60 years old: 8,000–10,000 - After 60: 6,000–8,000 No matter how far you walk each day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intense aerobic activity per week or 30 minutes of activity like walking 5x per week. Don’t care? Still committed to meeting (or upping) your daily step goal? Consider these tips: - Go for a 30–60 minute walk every day. - Park your car further away from your destination. - Walk around during phone calls. - Use an [under-the-desk treadmill]( during meetings. - Organize a step challenge with coworkers. - Opt for the stairs instead of the elevator. [more on step counts]( Great finds Highly Effective Presented by [Soul CBD]( [Gold Reserve CBD Gummies Free Sample]( [Gold Reserve CBD Gummies Free Sample]( If you’re curious about CBD gummies, BATCH’s potent Gold Reserve might be the perfect option to test the waters. Each tangerine-flavored cube contains 50 mg of CBD. Use the code FREEGOLD to try it for free! Before trying CBD, talk with your doctor for dosage guidance and to check that it's safe for you. [GET A SAMPLE]( Every product we recommend has gone through either [Healthline's]( or Optum Store’s vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. [Get the Wellness Wire Wishlist!]( Want health and wellness products that actually work? We vet and review hundreds of brands, services, and products to help you live better. Sign up for the Wishlist to get our recommendations and exclusive deals. [JOIN HERE]( Advertisement [Try Gold Reserve CBD Gummies]( Get a sample of BATCH's popular gummies with the code FREEGOLD. [CLAIM FREE SAMPLE [→]]( [Try Gold Reserve CBD Gummies]( health stories you need What we’re reading next [] ❄️ [Do you ever feel emotionally numb?]( Let’s talk about what causes that and how to treat it. 🥼 [6 ways to help a wound heal faster.]( These strategies could speed up the process. 🥝 [What to eat for a good night’s sleep.]( Check this list of the best foods for a better snooze. 📉 [Symptoms of low testosterone.]( Plus, what to do about it. Thanks for reading! How many steps do you walk per day? Email wellnesswire@healthline.com to put my low step count to shame or form a friendship over hating that 10K goal. Until next time, [healthline]( Take care of yourself, and we’ll see you again soon! 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