
Are you looking to do something that will reduce your risk of injury, improve your walking style, and improve your overall quality of life? There is an easy way to achieve this. Start a stopwatch and stand on one leg for 30 seconds. Then switch to the other leg. You will notice that gradually you will get better at maintaining balance. By continuing this exercise, you'll see your gait improve, and your chances of falling will decrease.
According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second most common cause of death worldwide after accidents. Compared to the past, our ability to maintain physical balance has decreased. People used to spend most of their day on the move, but now many of us work in a sedentary position, constantly focused on a mobile phone or TV screen. This sedentary lifestyle has undermined our sense of balance, and we are paying the price.
The good news is that there are things you can do to improve, like standing on one leg. Scientific research shows that standing on one leg has both physical and mental benefits.
A great workout
Successfully incorporating balance into life is fantastic. In fact, when walking, running or jumping, your mind is coordinating with your body to maintain balance, and this is something we need to re-incorporate into our lives.
During this process, our ears and eyes send signals to the brain. Even muscles and joints inform you of your body's movements. Physical balance gives a person the courage to do many difficult tasks. For example, when playing basketball, you run without worrying about losing the ball.
"Sadly, we start to lose the ability to stand up straight at the age of 35 to 40, and sometimes even earlier," Dr Don Skelton, a physiologist at Glasgow Caledonian University, told the BBC.
As we age, our muscles weaken, and our brains aren't as sharp as they used to be. The brain interprets signals sent from different parts of the body, helping to maintain balance. The body decides what action to take or what adjustments to make based on these signals, all in less than a second. While this was easy in the younger years, it becomes more difficult with age.
Over time, physical abilities decline, including balance. As this happens, people begin to feel insecure or unstable, and this insecurity can affect their mobility.
"By exercising regularly," says Dr. Skelton, "you'll notice improvements in your balance, which will have a positive impact on your life. You'll get stronger from the inside out, as well as improve your gait. Even that you can start walking with a straight back instead of slouching."
To challenge yourself, do balance exercises not only for walking but also for overall strength. If you're working from home, this technique can combat problems caused by sitting for long periods of time. Standing up straight brings significant health benefits.
If you managed to stand on one leg without any difficulty, now try to close your eyes. Vision plays an important role in balance, and closing your eyes makes standing on one leg very difficult. If you can stand on one leg for ten seconds without falling over, that's a good start. Dr. Skelton says that with practice, you'll be able to stand for a minute with your eyes closed.
Make standing on one leg part of your daily routine, whether it's brushing your teeth or watching TV. You will see the benefits as you age.
But how does it work?
In everyday life, we need to find moments to repeat the exercise, which is a challenge to our body system, like standing on one leg. Don't worry about feeling shaky; This is part of the process. Our body's balance system is linked to the nervous system, which excels at making new connections. It's the brain's job to help us stand up straight, and when we wobble, it communicates through nerves, muscles, and joints to help restore balance.
So, bump away! Every time you try to stand on one leg, your brain gets another chance to improve your balance through constant signals from the joints and muscles.
"Fear of falling can make us afraid to move, which can lead to social isolation. This is not good for our mental health," says Dr Skelton. If you think there's plenty of time to worry about it later, you could be wrong.
Dr. Skelton adds, "Each generation is becoming physically weaker. Although it may seem strange, physical activity and lifestyle studies support this. To maintain balance, all you have to do is stand up." And need to adapt to your surroundings."
No matter your age, the truth is that we are spending more time in front of screens. This trend is leading to an increase in balance problems with each generation. However, there are steps you can take to prevent it, and it's never too late to change it. Man can always adapt his lifestyle and regain the lost balance.
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