Can you stand on 1 foot for 6 seconds? If so, you dramatically reduce the risk of falling.
More than 1 in 4 adults over the age f 65 fall each year. And if you fall, this in itself heightens the risk of future falls.
Movement is an essential activity as noted in my 5 Pillars of Lifelong Wellness. Your structural body is made of bones, muscles and ligaments and all of these stay healthy and strong when you use them regularly and nourish them with quality food.
Keep the body strong
I’ve been surprised more than a few times by discovering a move I would take for granted turned out to be difficult for me. It happens. And it can be corrected. If you have concerns about your strength and ability to prevent falls, seek out some advice by doing your own research or consulting with a personal trainer or physical therapist.
here are some simple movements you can try to evaluate your current status:
sit on a solid chair and stand without holding on; sit again and repeat 5 times
stand on one foot for 6+ seconds (hold the back of a chair if you need to)
keep your arms strong (do light weight lateral lifts)
use stairs to build leg strength and balance
Other actions that may prevent falls
stay hydrated to prevent diizziness
keep your bones healthy by having adequate protein, calcium and magnesium
inventory your home to remove any fall risks like clutter, poor lighting, uneven flooring
stay active
avoid long periods of sitting
in winter be especially careful to avoid icy surfaces