We’ve known for quite some time that a sedentary lifestyle is bad for our health, hence all the wearable devices that exist to help us track and reach our daily step goals. But have you ever wondered how much it really matters, especially if you still get a good workout in at the gym? Well, turns out it may be more important than we realize. It may be a matter of life or death.

Study Links Steps to Living Longer.

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that higher daily step counts were associated with lower death rates. The research team, made up of investigators from the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Aging, also found that it is simply the quantity of steps taken that yields the benefits, not the intensity. So it doesn’t matter if you’re running, skipping, or slowly strolling, the more steps, the better.

The Results are In.

The study tracked a representative sample of US adults and showed that the participants who averaged 8,000 steps per day had a 51% lower risk of death (from all causes!) than those who averaged only 4,000 steps per day. The step-happy cohort averaging 12,000 steps per day enjoyed a 65% lower risk! And, the life-saving benefits of stepping don’t seem to discriminate. When drilling down into the data, the researchers found no differences between genders, age groups, or races.

What It All Means.

So, what does this mean? Well, it means that no matter how much you sweat in your HIIT class, or what you max out at the gym, you still need to get those steps in throughout the rest of the day. Park further away, walk the dog more, set a timer to break from your computer to do a lap around the office. Do whatever it takes to get those step counts up so you can stay on this journey of life.

Happy Slacking,

Kacie Main