FIND YOUR BALANCE 5 EXERCISES TO IMPROVE BALANCE
These exercises help with balance.
Though we may not always think about it, balance is essential to just about everything we do in our daily routines. From simply getting out of bed, leaning over to tie our shoes, or even walking to the mailbox, we need good balance to keep ourselves steady while performing normal tasks. Know why balance is important. Balance is the ability to control your body’s position, whether stationary or moving. It is a key component of fitness that many people neglect while developing their fitness regimen. Balance training is a great way to help your body recognize where it is and control movements in a given space. When the body knows where its limbs are in space — known as proprioception — it is able to produce smooth, controlled movements with fewer risks of injuries. Reaction time and agility are also improved with balance training. The body learns how to quickly correct itself but not overcompensate and has the ability to quickly change direction effectively and efficiently. Though balance training is important for everyone, it is especially important for those who have problems due to illness, weakness, or dizziness. It allows them to overcome stiffness or unsteadiness and to develop an awareness of body segments and how to align them.
Balance training involves exercises to strengthen the muscles that help keep you upright and improve stability. These types of exercises can be done as often as you like or even every day.
Consider trying the following exercises:
• Standing with your weight on one leg and raising the other leg to the side or behind you. • Putting one heel right in front of the other foot, as if you were walking a tightrope. • Standing up and sitting down from a chair without using your hands. • Walking while alternating knee lifts with each step. • Stretching and gentle movement as part of yoga or tai chi. Balance is essential to living a healthy, functional life. It’s important to incorporate balance training into your fitness regimen. That way you can decrease the risk of injuries and help move freely and confidently.
LITTLE THINGS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE Peace of Mind Instills Positive Moods
When something happens in a person’s life, it can be very easy to focus on the negatives. Though not every situation is the same, some are harder than others, and there is always something positive — even small or minuscule — you can hold on to. You can use a variety of different tactics to improve your mood, all while keeping yourself mentally and physically healthy. Writing Things Down One of the simplest habits you can incorporate into your daily routine is journaling. When people become overwhelmed or anxious, it can be easier to focus if they write about what’s weighing on them and explore their feelings about it. Spill your mind on a piece of paper until there is nothing left.
prioritize, circle them, highlight them — do whatever you need to focus on those tasks at hand. That way you don’t have to rush to get it done as fast as you can and can avoid overloading yourself. Walking When you go on a walk, your brain releases endorphins that can improve your mood tenfold. Have you ever noticed how after people work out, they all of a sudden start talking up a storm like they’ve had a few cups of coffee? You can even double-dose it by walking with a family member or friend. The feeling of being connected with another person and exercising are great for your mood and overall health. Expressing Gratitude Gratitude has always been associated with feelings of happiness. It helps people feel
more positive emotions and relish those good experiences. The best part about it is there are so many different ways to do it! One way is through self-appreciation, and a great way to start is to practice saying a few good things about yourself. It may be awkward or difficult at first, but when you continually do it, over time it will come much easier. You can also tune in to Dr. Tom Sladic’s conference call at (712) 432-8774 (conference ID code: 25555, sharing ID number: 111918) to learn more ways to show and express gratitude. We oftentimes forget that making minor changes in our daily routines is all it takes to help us improve our moods. When it comes to mental wellness, sometimes the small, manageable changes can have the biggest impact.
You can also write down a to-do list for the week, and for the tasks you have to
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