Everyday Habits That May Be Impacting Your Balance

Balance is something that many of us take for granted. It’s essential for all types of movement, including the many everyday activities we engage in, and it helps to prevent falls and injuries. However, when an injury or the natural aging process impacts our balance, it can have a detrimental effect on our quality of life. In addition to injury and aging, there are many things we may be doing throughout our everyday lives that can impact our balance. Being aware of these everyday habits can help us make healthy changes that help to improve our balance and overall well-being.

Sitting for Long Periods of Time

Many of us are guilty of spending extended periods sitting, whether for work, driving, or simply relaxing. Extended periods of sitting weaken the core muscles that are essential for balance and may cause stiffness and mobility issues as well. If you find that you sit for long periods of time, it can be helpful to build in breaks to stand up, walk around, and incorporate more movement into your day.

Having a Sedentary Lifestyle

In addition to simply sitting for long periods of time, many of us have relatively sedentary lifestyles. This can lead to issues like poor posture and weakened muscles. Incorporating exercise and daily movement into your routine can help improve your balance and overall health.

Choosing the Wrong Shoes

Your footwear choices can also have a big impact on your balance. Poorly fitting shoes, high heels, and shoes that don’t offer the appropriate stability and arch support can all have a detrimental effect on your balance. Make sure to choose shoes that fit properly and provide the support your feet need.

Unhealthy Food Choices

Unhealthy food choices are another common habit that can have a negative impact on your balance. Overconsuming unhealthy foods can lead to weight gain that affects your balance. Similarly, skipping meals can lead to periods of low blood sugar that may cause lightheadedness. Additionally, many of us don’t drink enough water to stay properly hydrated. Dehydration can cause dizziness and impact blood pressure, which can result in balance issues as well.

Ignoring Hearing or Vision Issues

Balance requires many different systems in our body, including vision, proprioception, and the vestibular system within our inner ear. If you’re experiencing issues with your hearing or vision that you’ve been ignoring, you may be doing a disservice to your balance as well. Having your vision and hearing evaluated and receiving any necessary treatment, such as glasses or a hearing aid, may provide you with the solution you need for your balance issues.

Learn More About Improving Your Balance

At Autumn Oak Speech, Voice, and Hearing, we offer a variety of speech and hearing solutions in Friendswood, TX. If you’re experiencing hearing issues or challenges with your balance, you can receive the hearing assessment and treatment services that meet your needs with our experienced professionals. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.