Steps: what is all the fuss about?


 

Did you know that most of us now spend more than half our waking hours sitting? We sit at the office, in the car, and on the couch, even though everybody knows that sitting for long periods makes you sick and damages your health.

study found that 57.2 percent of men and 50.2 percent of women sit for more than 4 hours straight without moving each day: this is called “sedentary behaviour.” Those are alarming numbers, considering that the human body is designed to walk for 20-30km daily.

It is time to rediscover the joys of walking and running. The summer season is helping indeed: it is time to get up on your feet and start enjoying your surroundings.

Zwei Menschen gehen nebeneinander schnelle Schritte

Fighting sedentary behaviour 

Researchers analysed the results of four European surveys with 96,000 participants from across the EU and found that more and more people are spending long periods sitting down. 54.3 percent of participants sit for longer than four hours a day.

Sedentary behaviour starts when we are young. According to up-to-date information from the WHO, 80 percent of children and adolescents do not do enough physical activity. According to the American College of Physicians, more people die yearly from inactivity than from smoking.

The WHO sustains we could avoid five million premature deaths if people would move more.

The World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week and a minimum of 10,000 steps daily.

Sedentary behaviour can be the cause of:

  • Muscle groups break down
  • Increased risk of diabetes and cancer
  • Back pain
  • Headaches and neck pain
  • Risk of cardiovascular diseases
  • Increased stress
  • Slow metabolism and weight gain

5 good reasons to walk more steps 

Ein Mann und eine Frau laufen mit kleinen Schritten die Treppe runter
fitness, sport, exercising, people and lifestyle concept - couple walking downstairs on stadium
  1. It helps clear your mind and fosters concentration.

Exercise is good for your body and your brain at the same time.

Movement makes specific demands on your brain, providing distraction and relaxation. There is a reason why we say: “we are going for a walk to clear our heads.”!

  1. It strengthens your immune system.

When a physical activity raises your pulse, you start to sweat: it activates your body’s defense system, allowing white blood cells to multiply faster and be more active. That boosts your immune system, and you are less exposed to infection.

  1. It improves sleep and stress resistance.

Movement breaks down stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, allowing your autonomic nervous system to relax. It triggers a series of processes that can reduce and prevent mental illness: you will sleep better and be more resistant to stress.

Ein Mann schläft gut durch viel Bewegung bzw. viele Schritte
top view of bearded man sleeping on bed
  1. It fortifies your muscles and bones.

Regular movement builds muscle mass, which helps to reduce muscle tension. Sitting all day causes a rise in back pain, slipped discs, and neck tension cases. Movement can help prevent those problems and boost bone metabolism, improving bone density and preventing osteoporosis.

  1. It improves life expectancy.

Plenty of studies have already proven that people who exercise regularly live longer. Even just 15 minutes of daily exercising reduces the risk of premature death by 14 percent, increasing life expectancy by up to three years, according to a study conducted by Taiwanese researchers.

Take advantage of our next Step Challenge to collect the WHO daily recommended steps and do your health good!

The Steps Challenge takes place from 18.07.2022 to 07.08.2022. Register HERE, achieve every day your 10,000 steps, and collect lots of diamonds to redeem great prizes and vouchers.

Your Humanoo Team