Fear of falling is a natural reaction and it is shared by seniors everywhere. A “self preservation” mode kicks in the moment you notice that you aren’t as agile as you used to be. Self preservation is a good thing, but it isn’t if you find yourself limiting your activities too much.
Inactivity is your worst enemy. It actually increases the risk of a fracture if and when you do fall, and you will fall.
The key is to respond to your fears positively and let your confidence grow. Muscle strengthening, flexibility, balance and the proper supplements can improve your bone health, but they can’t prevent every accident. Anyone can trip and fall.
When you were a kid you weren’t afraid of falling and getting hurt wasn’t a big deal. Things change as you grow older, but does it have too?
Can you learn how to fall? Classes in fall prevention and learning how to fall are becoming quite trendy. What do you think about the idea of learning how to fall? Would you do it?
Gymnastic classes are not just for children. It is important that seniors relearn how to tumble, roll and fall safely too.
What kind of advice do the experts give? They will tell you that everyone falls; often you can save a fall but sometimes you just have to let it happen. Stay in motion. Keep rolling and moving as you hit the ground so that you don’t take all of your weight on a single area (hips, elbows or hands).
I took Judo lessons as a young adult and the very first thing we learned was how to fall (hold your head up, slap the mat, roll, and get up quickly). The body remembers, and the techniques learned way back then have served me well. Take a class. Learn how to fall. Local recreation and/or senior centers have classes that will not only teach you how to fall but how to get up again.
Don’t let fear of falling keep from being as confident, active, and independent as you can be.
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