Balance is one in all those senses we regularly take as a right—until we lose it.
In our 50s and 60s, we may notice that our bodies feel less stable. Gradual changes related to aging—corresponding to muscle wasting, lack of flexibility, slower reflexes, and vision impairment, and even certain medical conditions and medications—can affect our sense of balance.
Poor balance often results in falls, which might cause head injuries and other disabilities. Hip fractures, specifically, can result in serious health complications and threaten independence.
How Walking Can Help Balance
The excellent news is that there are methods to enhance your sense of balance. In fact, just walking can assist construct lower body strength, which is a crucial consider good balance.
Walking is a protected exercise for most individuals and is one in all your aerobic activity goals, along with improving balance.
How to begin walking
A superb walking plan ought to be in place to securely increase physical activity. Minutes count greater than miles.
If you usually are not used to exercise, start from scratch. If you normally use a cane or walker, accomplish that. As you are feeling stronger and more comfortable, progressively add more minutes to your walk.
If you already exercise, start with a walking plan that best matches your current routine and construct from there. If the plan seems too easy, add time, distance or hills. Aim for at the very least 150 minutes of walking each week, but don't hesitate so as to add more.
If health problems make walking particularly difficult for you, a physician or physical therapist may recommend other options.
Photo: miodrag ignjatovic/Getty Images