Housework and Hustle: How Daily Movement Helps Your Heart
If traditional workouts aren’t your thing, here’s some encouraging news: everyday activities like brisk housecleaning or rushing up stairs could slash your risk of heart disease, without ever stepping into a gym.
In a large study published in Circulation, researchers tracked over 24,000 adults who reported no formal exercise. They found that those who moved with a bit more intensity during daily tasks—think speed vacuuming or fast-paced stair climbing—had significantly better heart health outcomes over the next eight years.
Even short bursts mattered. Just five minutes a day of vigorous activity, like walking briskly or hurrying up stairs, was linked to a nearly 40% reduction in heart-related death. Moderate activity—about 24 minutes daily—cut the risk by up to 50%. Meanwhile, light activity like slow walking helped too, but required over two hours a day to show much benefit.
The key? Intensity. Researchers used smart trackers and machine learning to measure how hard people were pushing themselves—even during chores. It turns out, moving with purpose makes a difference.
