Investigation uncovers potential benefits of monitoring daily footsteps on individual psychological well-being
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A recent study published in The Lancet Public Health (2025), led by the University of Sydney, has found that walking around 7,000 steps per day can significantly reduce the risk of depression in adults. The research, which analysed data from 57 studies across multiple countries and over 160,000 adults, also showed that walking regularly can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and all-cause mortality.
The study, conducted by researchers including Bruno Bizzozero Peroni, found that walking at least 7,000 steps daily can reduce depression risk by about 22%, compared to very low step counts (around 2,000 steps per day). The benefits of walking were consistent across ages, sexes, and step-tracking methods, making it a universally accessible mental-health tool.
The researchers grouped participants by step ranges (e.g., <5,000; 5,000-7,499; 7,500-9,999; ≥10,000) and analysed the risk or symptom reduction associated with each range. They found that adults walking 5,000-7,499 steps per day had significantly fewer depressive symptoms than those walking under 5,000 steps per day. Walking 7,500-9,999 steps per day showed even stronger links to lower depression-related symptoms, while every extra 1,000 steps per day correlated with about a 9% lower risk of depression.
The study emphasises the need for further longitudinal studies to clarify the protective role of daily steps in preventing depression during adulthood. The research involved 33 observational studies with over 96,000 diverse participants, all tracked using wearable devices such as pedometers and accelerometers.
The study's findings highlight the importance of daily step counting as a strategy to promote physical activity and contribute to the prevention of depression. Boosting your daily step count, even in shorter bursts, may help protect against depression. So, if you've read this far, stopping to go for a brisk walk is encouraged.
Science has underscored the significance of daily physical activity in maintaining mental health, emphasizing that walking around 7,000 steps per day, as suggested by a recent study in 'The Lancet Public Health' (2025), could reduce the risk of depression by about 22%. This health-and-wellness practice, complemented by fitness-and-exercise routines, may also contribute to lowering the risk of various health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and all-cause mortality.
