Why Balance Matters: Fall Prevention and Independence
Balance matters as we get older!
Balance isn’t just about standing on one leg. It’s about moving confidently through life. Working on your balance helps to prevent falls and enhance your overall health, independence, and quality of life, and it becomes increasingly more important as we age.
Preventing falls
One of my first jobs as a yoga teacher was at an Assisted Living and Independent Living facility. I taught a full schedule of weekly yoga, fitness, and balance classes to keep the residents moving!
During this time, I saw first hand how quickly someone’s health could go downhill after a fall. A fall was the catalyst that lead to other health issues (that at times eventually lead to death).
Falls are a major concern for seniors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four adults aged 65 and older falls each year. That’s a huge number!
A few more statistics on falls:
- Falls lead to more than 3 million emergency department visits each year
- Falling once doubles your chances of falling again
- Falls are the most common cause of TBI (traumatic brain injuries)
- Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults ages 65 and older, and this number keeps rising.
These statistics show how critical it is to maintain good balance as we age. Falls ARE preventable! By working on our balance, we can reduce the risk of falls and the life-altering consequences they bring.
Independence and quality of life
Beyond fall prevention (but still related), good balance is key to staying independent as we age.
Improved balance means you can go about your life walking, climbing stairs, or simply getting out of a chair safely without fear.
Feeling stable boosts your confidence. You’re able to walk confidently without shuffling your feet and without worrying about tripping. You’re less likely to avoid activities due to fear of falling.
For example, one of my past yoga students Linda started yoga with the goal to improve her balance so she could get back to playing golf with her group of girlfriends. She said she found herself hesitating to go along out of fear of falling. (Sharon is now back to her regular golf game!)
By improving your balance, you can maintain the freedom to do what you love and continue living a healthy, full, vibrant life.
Test your balance!
How do you know if you need to work on your balance? Well, first I’d argue that EVERYONE should be regularly working on their balance.
But if you’d like to see where you compare to other people in your age group, try this simple balance assessment.
How did you do? If you found it challenging, don’t worry. Balance can be improved with practice.
Your next step
Take a few minutes each day to practice your balance. It’s a small commitment with big rewards!
I truly believe that therapeutic yoga is the most effective way to improve your balance and prevent falls. Not only does yoga build strength and flexibility, but it also helps develop body awareness which is incredibly important when it comes to balance.
Try one of these short yoga YouTube videos to improve your balance:
Improving your balance helps prevent falls, keeps you moving confidently, and lets you keep doing what you love in life. Remember, it’s never too late to start.
