I have noticed that I am a bit tentative about going down the stairs. I am holding on to the railing. Is it because I am getting older? Maybe, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t do something about it.

I did some research about balance and found the work of Dr. Joan Vernikos. She is a brilliant NASA physician who was in charge of the astronaut’s health. She talks about how the astronauts would often have trouble walking after being in space.  When they returned these healthy fit astronauts many times would walk with a wide gait. The same way many older people walk. It is because their vestibular system, the apparatus of the inner ear that controls  balance would start to atrophy in space.  This could happen in a very short period of time.

Side note… Dr. Vernikos gave John Glenn age 77 the okay to travel in space. She was reluctant because of his age.  There was one astronaut age 35 with John Glenn  that did have difficulty when returning.  Senator Glenn walked off the aircraft just fine. “The man with the Right Stuff.”

We are not astronauts but the science does apply to us. Sitting all day and not moving against the force of gravity our vestibular system begins to atrophy. We start to lose our balance.  According to Dr. Christiane Northrup,”All of us, regardless of age can improve our vestibular system.”

I am working on the exercise that Dr. Northrup recommends so I can zip down the stairs no hands!

Give it a try and let me know how you do! Of course I will  include the balance exercise at OutdoorFit ! It is always more fun with friends!

Love,

Mary