A Balancing Act

by Megan

The other morning I was hurrying out of the house trying to grab my coffee, my keys, and put on my shoes when I started falling to the floor. I swear my balance didn’t used to be this bad! While in school, years ago, I was in a class that had us students working with people age 30 to 86 and every morning of that class we all participated in some balance training. Even though I was only in my early twenties I noticed a positive change in my balance after a few weeks of that class.

I strongly encourage everyone to be working on their balance. After nearly crashing onto my kitchen floor I knew I had better get back to it. Here are some of the exercises I’m going to start doing again:

  • Single leg balance: Stand with arms straight out or lightly holding onto a chair. Lift one foot off the ground in front of you and hold it there for a few seconds. Repeat on the other leg.
  • Alphabet: Beginning in the same position as before, start writing out the alphabet with the foot out in front of you. See if you can make though all 26 letters!
  • Heel-to-toe: Clear out the furniture in front of you, hold your arms out to the side, parallel to the floor and begin walking heel-to-toe to the other side of the room. Turn around and head back.

To make these more challenging try raising your hands above your head, not holding on to any furniture or (excluding the heel-to-toe) try closing your eyes. For more resources on balance training, head to about.com. Good luck!



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