Balance
Keeping balance in our lives is important to our overall mental health. The Yin of our professional careers needs to meld with the Yang of our home lives before we may achieve enlightenment. In the same vein, maintaining physical balance is important to keeping our bodies in an optimal state of alignment.
Many patients in my clinic, from older patients to younger more sedentary ones, are losing their ability to balance themselves and therefore are at an increased risks of falling.
The older I become, the more I realize that many of our childhood games were developing our gross motor skills to aid in balance. Following the seemingly insane directions of Simon Says, jumping rope on the playground, and following the leader along curbs and tree logs helped our brain make connections between muscle memory and balance.
Most adults no longer play these games. Many of us exercise, but we do not target routines that promote balance. The main focus is building muscle strength through resistance and increasing endurance via cardiovascular workouts. The health benefits of these exercises are undeniable, but we still need to consider balance.
As adults, what can we do to regain balance skills we first developed as children?
Single leg stands. If you already have an exercise routine, work some single leg stands into the warm up or cool down portions of your program. Balance on one leg with your other foot either in front or behind you, about six inches off the ground. Progress to standing on the ball of your foot to increase balance.
Perform Tai Chi. The slow, deliberate movement of Tai Chi promotes balance as you shift your body’s weight from one foot to the other. Join a class with others to provide socialization and improve mental balance at the same time.
Enroll in a dance class. Couples, singles, or line dancing, it does not matter. The movements in all forms of dancing require body balance.
Walk a straight line. Find a straight seam in the floor and walk it heel to toe. You will feel your feet make the micro-adjustments needed to stay balanced and you don’t need to fear falling.
Work on keeping good posture. Keeping everything in a straight line improves balance and has many health benefits.
If you have children, play with them. Let them decide the game you play. Chances are, they will help your balance without even trying.
Need picture - should be able to find some on Shutterstock