“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.”- Henry David Thoreau
Sure, a nice walk down the beach can spur the romantic imagination, but it has the potential to do so much more. In fact, there is scientific proof that you can actually increase the number of years in your life—just by walking.
The European Society of Cardiology followed 69 participants between the ages of 30 and 60 and found some pretty clear evidence. Daily moderate exercise, like walking, may not juice up your muscles much, but it will certainly help you live longer, thanks to simple DNA science.
Apparently, working your legs in that way triggers a very simple anti-aging process that assists in repairing old DNA in your body—helping you live longer. Just how long?
Wait for it …. seven years.
That’s almost an entire decade. And it could be longer depending on just how long you plan on walking throughout your life.
Just the simple fact that you’re not sitting gives your body an enormous advantage. For starters, humans who plan on sitting around for more than 8 hours a day face a 90% increased risk for type 2 diabetes.
Walking also has mental and emotional benefits. Feeling down? Confused? Frustrated? Go for a walk. It works every time—trust me.
And, aside from improving cognitive function, there’s even evidence that it may help delay the onset of dementia.
The sad thing is most people feel they simply can’t go for a daily walk. Even frequent walks. And why is that?
Did you know that the average human being spends close to 10 hours sitting in a chair every day? Ouch. Certain occupations do more damage, such as telemarketers and call center employees, who put in an alarming 12 hours in a chair, doing nothing but (ironically) selling diabetes medication on the phone.
You’d think that a daily walk would help reverse any damage that so much time in a chair will do, but it actually won’t do much. Instead, you need to take frequent breaks and move those legs!
Another study shows that even two minutes out of every hour may increase your entire lifespan by 33% Unglue yourself from that desk, and you may even find that your risk for heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer diminishes.
So, what does this all mean? Start walking! Your body will love you.
While the average person walks anywhere between 3,000 to 4,000 steps daily, your goal should be 10,000. Get there and chances are good you’ll enjoy a longer life—maybe even by a full decade.
Pierre Roustan is an author, adventurer, father, philosopher, philanthropist, athlete, gamer, U.S. chess champion, health nut, activist, and advocate for humanity, living in a quiet home with his wife, four daughters and one son in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s trekked through tundras, waded through swamps, wandered through deserts, swam in the Great Barrier Reef, explored a shipwreck, walked a runway, sat in prison, been in a mental hospital, adored and hated others, lost and gained a lot, fought wars in a courtroom, lost wars in his heart, and held loved ones in his arms as they breathed their last breath. He’s braved storms of all kinds and has plenty more life to live—and he’s ready to write all about it.
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