Minute Tip · Walking and steady movement
Make walking easier
Make the next useful action easier to begin.
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The tip
A short walk counts toward your week. Guidelines say some activity is better than none. So the real question is not how far. It is how easy it is to start.
Try this. Tonight, put your walking shoes by the door, with your keys beside them. Decide on one familiar route, about ten minutes.
Tomorrow, there is nothing to find and nothing to decide. Put your shoes on, step outside, and walk at a pace that feels comfortable. You can turn around at the halfway point.
Choose a safe route, and stop if you feel chest pain, dizziness, or anything new that worries you.
The claim behind this tip
Strong evidence A short walk contributes to a person's total weekly physical activity.
Consistent support from authoritative guidelines for the narrow claim made here. Source-checked on . No clinician has reviewed this page.
Limits: We do not claim that ten minutes alone produces a clinical outcome. Pace and route need to match the person's ability.
- Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2018)
- WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour, World Health Organization (2020)
Limits: We do not claim that ten minutes alone produces a clinical outcome. Pace and route need to match your ability. General education, not medical advice.
Try it today
Take a comfortable 10-minute walk. Choose a familiar, safe route and walk at a pace that feels comfortable today. About 10 minutes.
Go deeper
- Walking After 50: How to Begin and Build
- More Minute Tips
- Personalize this for me One small step chosen each day from your goals, interests, and limits.