LEARN
Something Worth SharingThe Need for Balance Training While chatting to my lovely dad recently, I was asking him about his injured foot. As he gave me an update on his stress-fracture, he then meandered to the subject of balance. He knows that I am completely fascinated by the topic - when it comes to balancing the elements of life. However, Dad was referring to his physical balance when carrying out his morning ablutions. Dad was a keen and successful basketball player in his day, representing the region on a national basis. Since retiring from his playing days, he has continued to be very physically active - with marathons, cycling and more latterly, weight training. So, as he was telling me about noticing an issue with his balance when he washed his face in the morning, I was concerned. He explained that he’s noticed a deterioration and that when closing his eyes, it’s not long before he needs to steady himself. The research that I went off to do was fascinating and forms todays LEARN for you. Researchers have found that balance begins to decline in midlife, starting at about age 50. In one recent study, adults in their 30s and 40s could stand on one foot for a minute or more. At age 50, the time reduces to 45 seconds. At 70, study participants managed just 28 seconds. My dad is 76, and so this fits with his personal journey. My next thought was about whether we could do anything about this. The answer is YES! We can challenge and improve our ability to balance by focusing on it and carrying out regular balance-based exercises. Some suggestions to do this include: Standing on one foot for 30 seconds on each side. Walking heel-to-toe for 20 steps (forwards and then backwards). Going from sitting to standing without using your hands. Doing heel raises 10 to 20 times, rising up on your toes as far as you can.
I often tell people that building an aligned and balanced life with confidence and clarity is like a muscle we need to continually strengthen. It turns out that physical balance is the same! We need to include balance training each day.
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