Woman Challenges Herself To Do 100K Steps In A Day, Here's How It Went
A woman shares her experience of challenging herself to walk 30,000 steps a day for two weeks and the impact it had on her physical and mental health.
Challenging Myself to Walk 30,000 Steps a Day
After successfully completing a challenge of walking 15,000 steps a day for a week, I decided to push myself further and set a new goal of 30,000 steps a day for two weeks.
Increasing my daily step count was no easy task, but I found ways to incorporate more walking into my routine. I took short walks during work breaks and between calls, which helped me reach my goal in manageable chunks.
On average, I typically walked around 12,000 steps per day, so I had to make a conscious effort to increase this number. I also added a few runs to boost my step count, although I recognized that this may not be the most effective method to achieve more steps.
The Results and Benefits of Walking 30,000 Steps a Day
Throughout the two weeks, my daily step count varied, with some days surpassing 40,000 steps and others falling short at around 17,000 steps. However, on average, I almost reached my goal. The first week averaged at 29,600 steps a day, and the second week was 29,466 steps a day.
The purpose of this challenge was to explore the impact of increasing my walking activity. Walking has numerous scientifically proven benefits, such as improving stress levels, cardiovascular health, and the release of endorphins. But there are also lesser-known advantages, like improved sleep quality through exposure to morning sunlight.
In a recent study, individuals who increased their daily steps experienced significant improvements in sleep quality. Walking not only promotes physical tiredness, which aids in better sleep, but it also influences brain chemicals and neurotransmitters that enhance sleep. Additionally, walking stimulates the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which plays a crucial role in brain functioning and growth.
Walking for Overall Health and Well-being
Walking not only improves sleep quality but also has a range of other positive effects on our bodies and minds. For example, walking can reduce pain perception and increase pain tolerance. This is due to the activation of the endogenous opioid system, which acts as the body's natural pain relief mechanism.
Modern sedentary lifestyles often contribute to health issues, including increased risk of mortality. Studies have shown that sitting for long periods of time can have detrimental effects, even for those who exercise regularly. Incorporating walking into our daily routines can counteract these negative effects and promote overall health and well-being.
Furthermore, walking helps to restore biomechanical balance by putting our bodies in motion and lengthening tissues that are shortened by sitting. It also aids in cellular waste removal and stimulates the lymphatic system, enhancing exercise adaptations.
