Life is a balancing act, they say. And every year as you grow older the simple act of keeping your balance gets more challenging.

Back in the day you could jump rope for hours but now fear stepping out of the shower. Slam dunk basketballs but now cringe when reaching for the top shelf. Dance all night but now get dizzy climbing up the stairs.

Many older adults fear falling and with good reason. The risk of having an unintentional fall increases with age and a simple slip can lead to a fractured bone and months of healing. Falls land nearly 450,000 people over the age of 65 in the hospital each year and are responsible for more than 18,000 deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The younger versions of us tend to be more daring. As we age, we are inclined to take less risk and be more careful. Overtime our nervous system forgets how to react in situations that throw us off balance. The fear of falling starts with our brains from our thoughts to our neurological impulses. For balance recovery, the brain must be challenged in a safe environment to retrain your nervous system to react and respond more quickly to imbalances in the environment.

A Matter of Balance
Rest assured, unlike many affects of aging, balance can be improved and you can regain your poise with proper training. Balance is critical to older people and more and more fitness trainers, health clubs, yoga studios and exercise classes are making balance training a priority. At least initially, it is a good idea to work with an experienced instructor to learn the proper basics of any sport or exercise routine. In fact, many wellness activities in which you already participate are likely benefitting your ability to balance as well.

Low-impact sports, such as aerobics, yoga, tai chi, Pilates or water aerobics can improve your balance. More active sports such as tennis, biking, walking, weight training, or bowling can also improve balance by strengthening muscles and joints and improving posture. An activity such as ballroom dancing requires both good body awareness and hand-eye coordination, so it can exercise balance skills as well.

There are even easy things you can do at home. You can challenge your balance while brushing your teeth. Simply put one foot in front of the other while your brush or stand with your feet closer together.

The important thing is to acknowledge your fear of falling. Even the slightest trepidation can hold you back socially and prevent you from aging well. If you start to limit your activities and experiences out of fear, you can lose confidence, physical skills and strength, become depressed and, ultimately, your balance may worsen.

Once you retrain your brain and learn skills for better balance, you will be less afraid of falling. You may even take a risk like climbing aboard a boat, walking a dog or dancing at a grandchild’s wedding.

Younger Next Year
If you need a little inspiration or pep talk in order to tackle your fear of falling or any other age related fears you’re harboring, then mark your calendar for a truly motivating and possibly life changing event.

On Saturday, May 14, at 3 p.m. author of “Younger Next Year” and inspirational speaker Chris Crowley, who kicked his fitness goals into high gear after retirement with stunning results, will present his philosophy of wellness, answer questions and sign copies of his book at The Garlands of Barrington. Tours of The Garlands will be available at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Please call Amy at 847-304-1996 for reservations.

Crowley’s book basically tells you why and how to exercise more and gives you 7 rules that if followed will help you grow younger. The advice is simple and sound while Crowley’s presentation is eloquent and hilarious. Find out how Crowley balances life with his 24 years younger wife and fills his time biking, skiing and traveling.