THE word “balance” as described in the dictionary can either be a noun or a verb.
As a verb it means to put something into position or balanced against its benefits, while as a noun its meaning is to balance or to remain upright or steady.
Right from an early age, we are reminded to balance the indoor activities with outdoor activities and children today are told to balance their screen time with outdoors sunshine and sport..
As we grow older and have responsibilities we are reminded that there has to be a balance between work and play, our money situation and a whole lot more.
Many sports are played by athletes keeping their balance (think gymnasts) and many occupations where balance in judgments (think judges) are called for.
Most of us I’m sure never even think about balance in our day to day lives, we walk around, we play sport, we live our lives with nary a thought about balance. I’m talking now about the noun. Have you ever really considered how many different muscles and bones co-ordinate to keep us erect as we go about our normal lives or what muscles stretch or contract as we do our Tia-chi or play other sports.
What does balance mean in your life? Finding the right balance in your life helps improve your overall health and wellbeing.
As we grow older, our balance slowly deteriorates, the means of staying upright is now a lot harder for those who are older.
Have you ever thought about the consequences of losing your “balance”, and how many activities you may not be able to do anymore. It’s not just losing the power in your legs or knees, but how this affects other parts of your body.
Not having your balance restricts those afflicted in so many other ways that we may never have even
thought about.
If you had a serious balance problem, how would you carry something with one hand if you had to stand and hold on to a walker, how would you be able to do the simple tasks in the kitchen or work bench.
Those with disabilities using a wheelchair or walker, know only too well how these balance issues are a real problem for their wellbeing. Having a shower and getting dressed, even if reasonably able to stand, can take three times as long.
Moving from one place to another requires careful consideration as a missed step could lead to a fall.
For those who use a walking stick and are still unsteady in any way, should investigate the use of a four wheeled walker. Just imagine, walking in a shopping centre and you’re bumped by a child or a small dog, you can’t take that quick step to recover like a younger person and you fall, what then!
For most seniors, a call to “my aged care” can get you a walker for little or no cost.
Don’t put it off for another day, a fall could be a lot more disastrous than those feelings that you have of people “looking at you”.
