If you left your walking habit in lockdown, now could be a good time to pick it up again. Countless studies have proven just how beneficial upping your step count – even by just a little – can be for your overall health.

In fact, one of the most recent studies out of the University of Cambridge suggests that as little as 11 minutes of brisk walking a day may be enough to prevent early death and disease. A previous study also found that 10 minutes of brisk walking a day has the potential to knock 16 years (yep, you read that right) off your biological age by the time you reach middle age.

According to the British Heart Foundation, a fast walking pace is around 12 minutes per mile (5 miles per hour), so 10-15 minutes of fast walking would only require you to walk about a mile around the block. If you slot that in before or after work – or perhaps even during a meeting – then it’ll be done and dusted before you know it.

3 really simple, low-effort ways to lead a healthier lifestyle