KEEPING BALANCED? Our bodies were made for balance; in every sense of the word. We use the word “balance”to describe how stable or unstable we are when we move or try not to move. We also usethe word “balance” to describe the state of being at peace, rest, order, or harmony.Balance, in every sense, is essential for a healthy life. Physically, we need balance to move well and express our body’s full potential. Balance Keeps us from falling and getting injured, and having balance allows our brain to removethe “brakes” from our bodies. Having balance (good posture, sharp reflexes, dexterity,agility) allows us to be free to enjoy a life of vitality. The secret to having balance is to havea healthy vestibular system. The secret to having a healthy vestibular system is to movelike a child; to learn to roll, to crawl, to walk, to run, to spin, to play, to laugh. Physicalbalance is born from movement. Physical balance is aborted, or lost, through idleness.Life is like a sphere, and you are in the center. You are surrounded by so many issues, events, stories, habits, influences, and information. Life is constantly poking and proddingat you; trying to throw you into a spiral of chaos. Look around; so many people nowadayshave lost their sense of balance leading to depression, anger issues, drug and alcoholdependency, and food issues. Mental balance is a necessity in order to navigate all of life’sissues. Without mental balance, life handles us, we don’t handle life.
So how do we obtain mental balance? Much the same way we obtain physical balance: We move. Movement really is good medicine. It does more than just heal the body. It healsand repairs the mind and the emotions. Moving the way we were designed soothes thesoul. It calms us, much the same way as rocking a crying baby helps calm and soothethem. Our brains, and our minds, crave movement. When we feed and nourish our brainswith movement, we are also feeding and nourishing our soul. Don’t believe me? Take anice, purposeful walk in nature the next time you feel anxious, angry, stressed, orconfused. I will bet the walking literally walks a lot of those feelings right out of you, or atleast makes them seem greatly diminished. We were made to move. If we don’t do what we were made to do, we spiral out of balance.If we don’t move, we obtain “poor” physical balance and allow life to knock us about. If wedo move regularly, like we were made to, we enjoy the freedom of health and becomemore mentally liberated so that we have a greater capacity to handle any “curve balls” thatlife may throw at us. So let me ask you this, “Do you have balance?”.... Can you cope with stress well or are youstruggling? Do you express a positive attitude to the world or do you blame the world foryour misfortunes? If the answer was the latter to both questions you know one of the firstfundamental things you need to do. Now get moving!
By Matt Coe CEO and Creative Director of OP Integrated Lifestyle Centre, a hugely innovative, fun and cutting edge facility on 29th Floor, Silver Tower, “I� Cluster, JLT, Dubai. For more information call OP on +971 43653399.