Lately we are told that taking 10000 steps a day is all we want in life. The universal panacea that will heal humanity. Let’s see what that means. It has been scientifically proven that the minimum number of steps taken daily for health is somewhere around 8,000. That 10,000 is a round number that resonates better with the public. In the modern world the average daily steps is around 3-4,000, so that study has a well-defined role. We don’t move enough. We hardly move at all.
Is it true that we need to exercise daily? Yes, it is true. Man is factory-made to move, not to sit glued to the chair or sofa. If we were designed that way, we had roots. Sitting is unnatural for humans, affects the spine, predisposes to obesity and the cohort of diseases it can trigger: metabolic diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, depression and other dysfunctions. But it is equally true that we should enjoy what we do.
For something to have a beneficial effect on us, we must like that something. It is valid for movement, but also for food, for the people who surround us, and for the thoughts that inhabit our mind. If we hate what we do, if we eat “diet” food in disgust, if we don’t like the people we hang out with, do you think all this has a beneficial effect on us? If we hate movement, but still move, because we have no other choice, or we move because we’re told it’s good, our muscles will be tight, tense, and that movement will hurt us.
If we do physical effort at work does that mean we are exercising?
You know those Hollywood movies where a lumberjack shows up full of well-toned muscles, skin glowing and healthy, and the ladies sigh? Well, there is no such thing. Real lumberjacks are a little plump to withstand the hard work and “a little” alcoholic because of the harsh environment they live in. Those Hollywood muscles are carefully formed at the gym, where they are thoroughly worked on, one by one, and some protein powder is added to make them look that way. A little bit of peeling and moisturizing cream, so that the “steamed” skin shines beautifully, and the sexy lumberjack is ready.
So is the myth that is enough to walk 10,000 steps a day and we will be in perfect shape. In light of this statement, postmen should be the healthiest people in the world. Masseurs should be full of muscles, just like the lumberjacks in the movies. Don’t they do manual labor all day?
It is not really like that. For those 10,000 steps to have a beneficial effect, you should enjoy them. You should move consciously. Should enjoy doing it. Should walk around beautiful places or go to the gym. Should let your mind know that movement is good for you. And when you return home, don’t gorge yourself with a cake as a reward for taking 10,000 steps. But that’s another discussion.
Do you think the postmen enjoy the walk? I wasn’t a postman, but I did field work for many years and I hated the days when I walked through rain, blizzards or 40-degree Celsius heat. I was looking out the windows at people drinking their coffee in the warmth and shelter of their home, feeling like the last abandoned kitten in a dumpster. I left there because I couldn’t cope physically and mentally, although the salary benefits were very good. No, I wasn’t the healthiest being on the face of the earth back then, I wasn’t lean, toned and positive.
How to walk 10000 steps a day and like it?
Let’s think about a daily habit. Brushing your teeth. The morning shower. The coffee. Binging on Facebook. The after lunch cigarette. You understand what I’m saying. Things we do every day and would find it hard to give up, because our synapses have built special boulevards for them, boulevards bordered by high fences, so that we don’t try to venture beyond them. I mean we are addicted.
When we hear the word “addiction” we immediately think that it is something negative. But what’s wrong with being addicted to brushing your teeth and showering in the morning? Let’s make walking such an addiction. Let’s look for any reason to walk, like we do with binging on Facebook: are we on the bus? We take out the phone and go on Facebook, or Instagram, or TikTok or any other addictive network. Are we at the restaurant with our girlfriend or boyfriend? We still feel like taking a look at the phone, and when it goes to the bathroom we quickly open Facebook.
All of these social networks are purposely built to be addictive, so “building” an addiction from walking can be a bit more difficult, but not impossible.
Let’s make time for movement.
This is not impossible either. Carefully and objectively evaluate where you can insert time for walking and you will find it.
Leave your car at home.
Of course, you can only do this if your job does not depend on the car or is far away and you have no other means of transportation to get there. But if you can take public transportation, do it. That way, you can get off the bus or subway earlier and enjoy the walk home. You can change your walking route periodically, you can look at nature or shop windows, houses, trees.
Do you only have a few bus stops to go?
Do them on foot. Put point 1 into practice and enjoy the movement.
Do you have a dog?
Don’t just take him around the block, take him to the nearby park and treat both of you with a long walk.
Are you meeting your friend?
Don’t sit stiffly in a chair for hours on a coffee, take a walk. It is scientifically proven that walking loosens tongues and souls better than standing still. This way you can become closer.
Does your partner not want to go for a walk with you?
That’s no reason not to go for a walk. If you find it strange to walk alone, put your headphones in your ears and listen to music, a podcast or an audiobook. This way you can do 2 things at once, if you like multitasking 😊.
Do you live on an upper floor?
Climb the stairs at least once a day. Do you live on the ground floor Go visit the neighbor from a higher floor 😊.
This list is not exhaustive.
When we get into the habit of looking for reasons to move, like we do now to check our phone, we’ll find other ways that are enjoyable and personal. The important thing is to put movement high on our list of pleasant priorities.
I have written about movement also in these articles: here, here, here and here.
