You’ve probably heard it before – you need to get in 10,000 steps a day to stay healthy.

But for those who don’t have the time, or routinely don’t reach that number, there’s good news – you probably need far less to make a healthy impact!

A new study shows that there’s a gradual effect to the number of steps you need, and just 4,000 per day lowers your chance of early death from any health cause – and even 2,500 lowers the risk of heart disease.

4,000 steps helps you live longer, and for every extra 1,000 steps per day, you decrease your odds of early death by about 15%.

As long as you get moving and don’t get discouraged if you don’t reach the magic 10,000 steps number, because you’re still doing your health a lot of good!

Image Credit: Jorge Alcazar Narvaez / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Believe it or not, just because we’ve had some cooler temps, this is the most dangerous time to be outside since it’s the worst time of year for sunburns.

Despite not going to the beach, you have the best chance of getting a bad burn because the sun’s angle is the same as it is in late August. And since it isn’t too hot, we’re less likely to cover up and wear sunblock. That’s part of the reason why May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.

So, make sure you keep that in mind when being outside – especially if you’re fair-haired or have skin that burns easily. But prevention is always best, so try to find shade or stay inside between 10am and 2pm, use sunglasses and wear a hat, and put on sunblock before you step outside – as long as it’s 30 SPF or higher.

Do that, and you’ll have a healthy spring!

Image Credit: Iuliia Burmistrova / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Aging is unavoidable – and everybody goes through it. But there are some lifestyle changes we can make to hopefully slow down the aging process.

And that begins with what we eat.

First and foremost – limit junk food. All the added sugar can cause health issues down the road, and serious problems in 10 or 20 years, so avoid the temptations of sweets now.

Bring more fish into your diet – the omega-3 fatty acids help protect from disease as we age, as well as heart problems, depression, and even cancer. If you’re not a fish fan, you can always take an omega-3 supplement.

Grab colorful fruits and veggies – berries, leafy greens, carrots, red peppers – all are rich in antioxidants and fiber, which counter the negative effects of aging.

Finally – stay hydrated. Many of our systems that keep us hydrated degrade as we age, like our kidneys, and some medications can increase water loss – but while water is the best route for hydration, you can also grab foods with high water content, like cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, strawberries, and watermelon.

Image Credit: sebastianosecondi / iStock / Getty Images Plus

When it comes to prioritizing health, it won’t just make you feel better, but it came make you look better as well. And there’s an easy way to do that without the gym – just be more thoughtful to others.

It’s not philosophy – it’s science – being compassionate affects the aging process.

There’s something in our DNA called telomeres which decrease as we get older and causes us to age – but scientists say those who are compassionate, loving, and empathetic have telomeres that stay stronger longer.

So even if you’re coworkers annoy you, be more patient and you’ll end up looking younger!

Image Credit: fizkes / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Someone at work ever tell you they’ve “got a case of the Mondays”? Well having low energy at the office is something many of us go through at some point – and the solution is to take a break – and take a lot of them!

Your boss might find taking too many breaks as a negative, but a new study shows that “microbreaks” can help boost performance – helping us bounce back from morning fatigue and improving your skillset in the afternoon.

Microbreaks are just that – micro – five minutes is usually enough – and it shouldn’t be scheduled; it’s in your employers best interest to let you take it when you need to to help manage energy and work productivity throughout the day.

A microbreak can be a snack, a chat with a coworker, some light stretching – even a crossword puzzle – and the more tired you are at the beginning of the day – say, after a poor night’s sleep – employees that took more microbreaks were able to maintain their energy as the day went on.

Researchers also found if employees believed their employers cared about their workforce, then they’re more likely to take these breaks – they felt more empowered, and it was ultimately good for both the employer and the employee.

Image Credit: Mikko Lemola / iStock / Getty Images Plus