Balance is the ability to distribute your weight in a way that lets you stand or move without falling or recover if you trip. Good balance requires the coordination of several parts of the body: the central nervous system, inner ear, eyes, muscles, bones, and joints. Although it’s typical for balance to diminish with age, there are things you can do to improve it. As with most aspects of health, diet, exercise and proper hydration can help. Review your medications with your doctor to consider if one of them is contributing to poor balance. Even if you haven’t noticed any vision changes, you should get periodic eye exams.

Having Good Balance means being able to control and maintain our body position, whether we are moving or staying still. Good balance helps us walk, bend over, and climb stairs without staggering, tripping, or falling down. Falls are the cause of 90% of hip fractures in older people. Balance, strength, endurance and flexibility, are important components of fitness.

An exercise program can reduce the risk of falls and injury by strengthening muscles, keeping joints, tendons and ligaments flexible; and by slowing bone loss. Balance exercises include Tai-chi, Heel-Toe walking, Standing on one Foot, Standing from a seated position, and Stretching exercises.

The Flamingo Stance – standing on one foot

Practice the flamingo stance 20-30 times per day.

Stand on one foot behind a sturdy chair or table. You can hold on for balance as you need to.

Hold the position with one leg raised for up to 10 seconds.

Repeat with each leg 10-15 times

For More Information:

* Balance https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/balance#balance4

* Older Adults and Balance Problems https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/balance-problems-and-disorders

* Falls and Fractures in Older Adults: Causes and Prevention  https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/prevent-falls-and-fractures

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/exercise-physical-activity

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