If you, or someone you love, has difficulty with balance, here are a few easy exercises that will help your confidence and prevent falling. It’s important that you feel safe when you work on balance, so that you don’t fall. If your balance isn’t good enough, stand behind a sturdy chair.
1. March gently in place, lifting only your heels off the floor. When that becomes easy, lift the heels and toes off the floor very slightly as you march in place. As your balance improves, lift your feet higher off the floor.
2. Raise slowly up on your tip-toes, then go back on your heels. The knees are kept straight, but not locked.
3. Step to the side with your right foot, then bring the left foot next to the right foot. Step to the side with the left foot, then bring the right foot next to it. Repeat several times. As your balance improves, take a larger step to the side.
4. Stand up tall. Keeping your torso straight up and down, and your feet flat on the floor, bend your knees and hips slightly, sinking downward. Then straighten your hips and knees and stand back up straight. Repeat several times. As your balance and strength improve, bend you knees a little more. (If you have knee pain, stop the exercise.)
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