According to a new study, walking between 3,800 to 9,800 steps a day can reduce your risk of mental decline. Individuals between the ages 40-79 who walked 9,826 steps were 50% less likely to develop dementia within seven years. Those who power-walked were 57% less likely to develop dementia with only 6,315 steps a day.
Even individuals who only walked round 3,800 steps a day still cut their chances of developing dementia by 25%. These steps can be reached with many household activities, such as chores, walking your dog, visiting family, going grocery shopping, etc. Frequent exercise is also a great way to get those steps in.
Perhaps the most important note to take away from this study is to try to get some sort of physical activity in throughout the day, and to refrain from a sedentary lifestyle. Keeping your body, and brain, active is a great lifestyle hack that can help reduce your risk of developing dementia.
Stay active and engaged!
Sources:
LaMotte, Sandee. “Walk This Number of Steps Each Day to Cut Your Risk of Dementia.” CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/06/health/step-dementia-risk-wellness/index.html.
