Why Does Thrive Connect with Step Trackers?

Life isn’t a marathon – and it’s not a sprint, either! It happens one step at a time. And that’s all you need to do to add movement into your day – just take one (Micro) step after another.

 

Movement and physical activity is essential to every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. The benefits of physical activity are nearly endless. And it’s not just about our physical health. Movement also improves our sleep, boosts our creativity and problem-solving skills, and lowers our risk of anxiety, depression and dementia.

 

Getting more movement in our lives might seem overwhelming, or like it has to involve a big lifestyle change. But that’s a myth. In fact, starting big with a healthy new habit makes it much less likely that we’ll actually stick with it. Around 12% of new gym members sign up in January, but after 24 weeks, most of them will have stopped going.

 

Much better is to start small, with one step at a time – literally. The science shows that Microsteps are the best way to establish – and maintain – a healthy new habit. By making them too-small-to-fail, we set ourselves up for success.

 

Even better is that we begin to get the benefits physical activity with just a few more minutes of movement each day. In an incredible illustration of this, one study showed that if capable adult in the U.S. walked briskly for just an additional 10 minutes a day, over 100,000 deaths could be prevented each year. With just ten minutes a day of walking!

 

Taking the Walk for Well-Being Challenge (or tracking your steps as part of The Thrive Challenge at Walmart) is easy – take one step, and then another. Each new step builds on what you’ve already done. It’s a journey to healthier life, one step at a time.