How much our ancestors went per day
Early people (ca. 50,000 years ago)
Our journey begins in the distant past, when our ancestors were still hunters and gatherers. They often had to travel long distances to find food and hunt. It is estimated that they covered around 10 to 16 to 19 kilometers a day, which is about 20,000 to 24,000 steps 1 . You think that's far? Now imagine they 've mastered the whole thing barefoot!
Early Modern Period (ca. 1500-1800)
With the transition to agrarian societies, walking was still used as the main means of transport. In the early modern period, people often covered more than 10 miles a day, which is at least 20,000 steps 2 .
Early Industrial Revolution (ca. 1825)
During the early industrial revolution, walking was still the main mode of locomotion. It was not uncommon for people to walk 20 miles (32 kilometers), or about 40,000 steps in one day, to be able to attend from ordinary events, such as court hearings 3 . The average was probably 18,000 steps. So not significantly less than 50,000 years ago.
Late 20. Century to the present day
Today, the number of steps we take every day has dramatically reduced. The average American walks about 5,000 to 6,000 steps a day, a far cry from the 10,000 steps often recommended as a guide 4 . With the pandemic, the number of steps we take per day is likely to have fallen even further.
Walking is important for our health!
Walking is one of the simplest and most effective forms of movement. It has numerous health benefits, including improving cardiovascular health, supporting metabolism and therefore our weight regulation, and increasing physical and mental well-being.
It is important to note that there is no "magic number" of steps that is ideal for everyone. The often cited figure of 10,000 steps per day is a good guide, but it is important to listen to your body and adjust your activity level to your individual needs and abilities.
Conclusion: Predicted development and impact on our health
The way we walk has changed dramatically throughout history. From the vast distances our early ancestors covered to the comparatively short distances many of us walk today, walking was and is an integral part of our lives. Being able to run long distances once ensured our survival.
Technological advances have meant that we have to walk less, which has led to a decline in our overall physical activity. This has an impact on our health, especially the fact that a lot of sitting and not enough exercise cause cardiovascular disease, obesity and back problems.
It is therefore more important than ever to find ways to increase our daily steps. This includes simple measures such as climbing stairs instead of the elevator, parking the car a little further away or walking during the lunch break.
It is a challenge to find the balance in our modern world, but with a little mindfulness and the establishment of good habits, we can find ways to integrate more exercise into our everyday lives and improve our health and well-being. Ultimately, our goal is not only to increase the number of steps we take on a daily basis, but also to improve the quality of our steps and movement as a whole. With our five slippers, which we have deliberately shaped super ergonomically, we want to make a small contribution to pampering feet on the go.
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