Day Seven - Movement
Today's challenge is to stand on one leg for as long as you can and repeat using your other leg.
Try and incorporate this balance exercise into your usual self-care routine like brushing your teeth, shaving, or drying your hair. An established anchor habit is an ideal time to work on balance for healthy aging. If this is too easy, and you want to increase the challenge, then close your eyes.
Balance uses many of the body's systems, including ears, eyes, brain, and muscles. It is common as we age to begin to lose our sense of balance, which is a significant cause of falls in older people.
I was surprised how hard it is to balance with your eyes closed, initially lasting less than 10 seconds, but research suggests most people over 40 can't go past 15 seconds. The good news is that you can improve your balance with exercises including t'ai chi, yoga and Pilates. Balance is so important in everyday life, even one of the simplest forms of exercise walking you spend about 40% of your time with one foot on the ground as the opposite leg is moving through the air!!
So are you up for the balance challenge? How long did you last on your first attempt?
Further reading
Read: the-ability-to-balance-on-one-leg-for-20-seconds-is-a-sign-of-a-healthy-brain/
Watch: TED talk steven_rauch_sense_of_balance_truth_and_consequences
** Disclaimer – Part of the Build Your Ideal Day Program – 30 Day challenge by Duncan Young. All content and media on the Build Your Ideal Day Website is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.
