{"id":44403,"date":"2026-04-08T03:34:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T03:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=44403"},"modified":"2026-04-08T03:34:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T03:34:59","slug":"20-minute-habit-that-may-be-the-secret-to-a-longer-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/?p=44403","title":{"rendered":"20-minute habit that may be the secret to a longer life"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Walk this way to a longer and healthier life.<\/p>\n<p>For years, 10,000 steps has been <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2024\/04\/29\/health\/forget-10000-steps-a-day-heres-what-to-focus-on-instead\/\">the magical number<\/a> promoted by fitness trackers and health apps for daily activity.<\/p>\n<p>You may need even less than that \u2014 a mere 20 minutes a day could bring positive health effects and more.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"39015681\"><br \/>\n\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<figcaption>Walking has plenty of health benefits, and we may only need 20 minutes to reap them. Forget 10,000 steps. <span class=\"credit\">Studio Romantic \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWalking enhances blood circulation, which improves overall blood flow,\u201d certified personal trainer Allison Goldsmith recently told <a href=\"https:\/\/parade.com\/health\/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-walk-for-20-minutes-a-day\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Parade<\/a>. \u201cIt also helps regulate blood pressure and decreases stress on the\u00a0arteries.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s well-known that exercise reduces the chances of <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2025\/02\/28\/health\/heart-disease-could-be-prevented-with-this-one-simple-test\/\">cardiovascular disease<\/a>, such as heart attack, stroke and heart disease.<\/p>\n<p>While other types of exercise certainly have their positives, walking is a healthy habit to adopt for improving heart health, managing blood sugar and perhaps even\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2022\/02\/28\/walking-each-day-may-slash-your-risk-of-alzheimers-by-a-third\/\">reducing dementia risk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>A brisk walk has been shown to be <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4067492\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">comparable to running<\/a> in terms of reducing the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.<\/p>\n<p>And whatever is good for the heart is generally good for the brain, as increased blood flow can bring more oxygen to the brain, helping it function better.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"39015682\"><br \/>\n\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.49926794;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"39015682\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"An elderly woman with short blonde hair and glasses smiles as she reads a book on a sofa.\" class=\"wp-image-39015682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 7360w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=300,200&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=768,513&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=1024,683&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=1536,1025&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=2048,1367&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=600,400&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 600w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=878,586&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 878w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=744,496&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 744w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=105,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 105w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=81,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 81w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=200,133&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=661,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 661w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=1200,801&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/senior-blond-woman-glasses-resting-125165702.jpg?resize=150,100&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\"\/><figcaption>Twenty minutes of walking a day can reduce the risk of early mortality, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia and more. <span class=\"credit\">DragonImages \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Regularly walking at a quick pace can <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10643563\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">reduce the chances of dementia<\/a> and Alzheimer\u2019s. Even around 3,800 steps \u2014 just a bit more than what can be covered in 20 minutes \u2014 lowered the risk by 25%.<\/p>\n<p>Better blood flow also supports the <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC6523821\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">immune and lymphatic systems<\/a>, offering more protection from infections.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n\t<\/aside>\n<p>For more mental boosts, leaving the phone behind while heading out for a stroll in nature can <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2024\/05\/08\/health\/labyrinth-walking-could-be-what-you-need-to-beat-stress\/\">lower stress<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/39045858\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">anxiety<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologytoday.com\/us\/blog\/minding-the-body\/201608\/walking-can-lift-your-mood-even-when-you-dont-expect-it-to\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lift mood<\/a> and even\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC5068479\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">increase self-esteem<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Taking a walk after eating helps <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2023\/11\/29\/health\/walking-4-mph-can-cut-type-2-diabetes-risk-by-nearly-40-study\/\">reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes<\/a> and blood sugar spikes, as \u201cmuscles consume glucose for energy, requiring less insulin and allowing for more stable glucose levels,\u201d according to Goldsmith.<\/p>\n<p>While <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/03\/26\/health\/the-3-bs-that-will-help-you-live-longer-says-health-ceo\/\">lifting weights<\/a> can improve bone health, so does walking as a low-impact exercise that stimulates bone remodeling and helps with joint health.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen your feet hit the ground, it lets the body know that your old bone tissue needs to be replaced to increase bone density and reduce the risk of fractures,\u201d said Goldsmith. \u201cYour hips and legs will receive the biggest benefits from walking, like increased bone mineral density.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In addition to all the heart, mind, muscle and joint benefits, walking for 20 minutes every day can add years to your life.<\/p>\n<p>One analysis found that taking around <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10643563\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4,400 steps a day<\/a> reduced early mortality by an average of 41% in women aged 62 to 101.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/04\/07\/health\/20-minute-habit-that-may-be-the-secret-to-a-longer-life\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Walk this way to a longer and healthier life. For years, 10,000 steps has been the magical number promoted by fitness trackers and health apps for&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44404,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44403","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-wellness"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44403","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=44403"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44403\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/44404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=44403"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=44403"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foreignnewstoday.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=44403"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}