Improving Balance

We are reading more and more of these unfortunate headlines these days. Our desire to be in the out-of-doors, mixed with an attachment to our cell phone screens and an unreasonable amount of fearlessness can make your next step your last one. For most of us, our willingness to put ourselves in danger's way is inversely proportional to our age. Danger still lurks and pride comes before the fall, as they say.

Recently, I commenced a program to improve my balance, specifically with regards to my arguably non-existent golf game, but I believe this program will benefit my safety in the field. This program should benefit you as well, whether on a photo outing or just try to get your under shorts on while standing. Doing the splits on a log as you cross a stream or falling off a cliff is not listed as a suggested activity on Trip Advisor. There are some things in life you just don’t want to experience.

It is well known that our balance decreases with age. Hopefully, this is not our bank balance or or having a well-rounded physical, mental and spiritual life, but is limited to our physical ability to remain upright. As a child, remaining upright was improved by the threat of a spanking. You are now responsible for your own actions and reactions. This is a way to improve both. There are only a few things we can do to improve our balance as aging adults.

Older seniors fear broken hips and wrists from falls. But photographers can easily have an encounter with the big round ball below their feet if they aren’t careful. We tend to get distracted by scenes around us and not pay attention to the irregular surface below. A hint when walking or hiking is to look ten feet or so forward while moving. Look down only briefly to see obstacles and necessary foot placement. If you need to look around or behind you, stop first.

Our balance is primarily related to functions of our inner ear, our eyesight and proprioceptive reflexes. Proprioception comes from nerve endings that tell our brain where our different body parts are at any point in time. Diminished brain function contributes to a lack of balance. It doesn't take a scientific study to prove this. I am a live demonstration.

While inner ear and eyesight functions are best left to the expertise of medical professionals, there are things we can do on our own to improve our proprioceptive reactions. These reactions are primarily based upon nerve endings based in the muscles and joints of our legs, ankles and feet. In the absence of disease where deterioration can occur rapidly, a lack of body positional control occurs gradually. It makes sense then, that we should not expect to be able to correct it all in a day and maybe never to where it was when we were young. But constantly working on proprioceptive health from a young age is a good idea.

There are some great and fun physical activities that can help persons still responsible for changing their own underwear. Skateboarding is not the safest way to improve proprioception for mature adults, but activities such as dancing (except on tables), Tai Chi, surfing, paddle boarding, and cycling can all be beneficial. Upright exercises provide more benefit than exercises such as kayaking, because they also strengthen the upper legs.  Stronger muscles allow for better reactions to the proprioceptive stimuli received by your brain.