Exercises to help you test and improve your balance

It is a fact that we try to find balance in every aspect of our lives. Whether it's between work and personal life, between social gatherings and alone time, or between a hectic weekend and the desire to spend the next one more calmly, we are trying to find balance. But what about in our bodies?

If we think about whether we pay enough attention to whether our body is in balance in the hustle and bustle of daily work and the hectic, busy atmosphere of the modern age, the answer is probably no. Moreover, we may ignore the fact that we need to make an extra effort to stay in balance, even though it becomes even more critical with age.

It is worth noting that balance, which is closely related to many actions we do in our daily lives, from developing a correct posture to how we step on the ground, from lifting objects to moving from one movement to another, is not just about being able to stand upright on two legs. If it were, we could say that most of us have a well-developed balance, but if we remember the posture disorders that are quite common, many of us may need to work on balance.

In short, being able to stand up straight doesn't mean that we are in balance; it's not balance if we don't tip over to one side or fall to the ground. So what is it? Let's take a closer look at what balance is, why it is so important and discover the exercises we can use to improve our balance.

Balance is the ability to keep the body's center of gravity on the base of support; more precisely, it is the body's ability to do this in motion, and it is extremely important for people of all ages. Contrary to popular belief, balance exercises are an important component of holistic health for everyone, not just professional athletes.

In fact, the American Heart Association classifies balance as a type of exercise that everyone should do. Being in balance has a positive relationship with mental health as well as physical health. Many studies point to the importance of balance exercises for improving both physical and mental health.

Balance is basically achieved through the coordination of multiple systems working together in the body. Vestibular and proprioception systems play an active role in this coordination. The vestibular system refers to the work of the inner ear to improve balance; the nerve receptors in the inner ear are sensitive to head movements and are also closely related to vision. Proprioception, on the other hand, is the body's ability to perceive limb and joint movements in space and is particularly important in the prevention of injuries, possible disabilities and the development of correct posture.

On the other hand, improved balance:

It facilitates daily activities such as climbing stairs, carrying heavy objects and changing direction suddenly.

Improves coordination.

E improves flexibility and muscle strength.

Improves symptoms of Parkinson's disease in older adults.

Supports fitness.

Makes it easier to move.

In fact, balance, which is mentioned as a survival skill in many sources and expert opinions, can unfortunately be shaken due to changes and deterioration in the musculoskeletal system as we age. From muscle weakening to bone resorption, from deterioration of motor skills to loss of coordination, many negative conditions that manifest themselves especially after the age of 30 cause balance to deteriorate.

Shorter strides, less active lives and blurred vision that come with old age make it more difficult to stay in balance. Therefore, it is essential to include different types of exercises in daily routines to improve balance.