Balance and Walking

Balance is a problem for most people over the age of 30. It sneaks up on you. Without a good sense of balance it really is difficult to walk easily. Falls are more common. Even though I know adults should do balance exercises, I hadn't been doing them. However a fall is good reminder that things have to change. On a Saturday morning I was playing soccer with my kids and managed to land on my bottom without anyone even pushing me. Very elegant.

If you think about it, walking requires you to balance on one foot. It may only be for a moment but you have to balance. People that lose their ability to balance on one foot may at first develop a slower gait with smaller steps. Then they may begin to walk in a more side to side fashion rather than a heel to toe.

Falls are a real problem. People get broken just like Humpty Dumpty. Better to prevent falls. Daily short balance exercises are a good idea.

One easy exercise to try is to balance on one foot only. Stand next to a wall and a sturdy piece of furniture the first time you do this. If you begin to fall it is best to be able to grab onto something. Switch to the next foot. This might be hard at first but people can rapidly improve by just doing this every day. If you really struggle to do this, start by leaning next to the wall while you hold onto to something, then try balancing on one foot. In a few weeks try balancing on one foot a few inches further from the wall. Aim for a goal of a minute on each foot. Even while I was writing this article I stood up for a while and balanced on each foot. It is a simple exercise you can do even while waiting for the microwave to ring. Since I’ve been doing this for a while now I will sometimes go to the next level. Closing my eyes while I balance. This is harder. This should always done next to a sturdy piece of furniture or a counter. You will get tipsy. Daily practice makes you better.