TAKING steps towards a healthier lifestyle is an important goal and one that can have a significant impact on our overall wellbeing.

In particular, working towards 10,000 steps a day can have a huge impact on our heart health, lung function, bone and muscle strength, and can even boost our energy and productivity.

We often hear this number being used as a guidance on what to aim for but do remember it is just an estimation.

There are however many benefits to just getting started.

Recent research has shown that taking as little as 4,000 steps a day can reduce the risk of dementia by 25 per cent, and taking 10,000 steps a day can reduce the risk by up to 50 per cent.

This is a powerful reminder of the importance of regular physical activity in maintaining a healthy brain.

The best part is that this goal is completely free to achieve.

While it may be difficult to get outside on colder or rainy days, it's important to try to make the effort to get moving whenever possible.

Even small pockets of time, such as taking a five-minute walk during a break, can have a positive impact on our health.

Walking is not only great for our physical health but also for our mental well-being. Fresh air, sunlight and movement can boost our mood and reduce stress.

It's hard to find a time when you went for a walk and didn't feel better afterwards. So try to include pockets of steps into your day, even if you can't reach the goal of 10,000 steps.

Every step counts and it's better to take 5,000 steps than zero.

As a society, we’ve become more sedentary than ever, working from home, sitting too much during the day and it’s important we prioritise an active daily life.

Overall, taking steps towards a healthier lifestyle is an essential goal, and one that is free and easy to achieve with a little bit of effort and planning.

Try to make the most of every opportunity to move and you'll be amazed at the positive impact it has on your overall wellbeing.