Get your body back in BALANCE

Perfecting your posture and mastering the art of balancing on one leg could have a surprisingly positive impact on your health.

Worried about your wobble? Research indicates you should be. One Japanese study found that difficulty balancing on one leg for 20 seconds or more was linked to a higher risk of brain blood vessel damage and reduced thinking in otherwise healthy individuals. The Medical Research Council also found a poor result in a standing balance test was linked to higher mortality. Better your balance – and benefit your health – with these simple hacks...

1 Strengthen your lower-body muscles

This is key to improving your balance. The first and most obvious balance trick is to perform everyday tasks on one leg. Try the following, balancing for 10-30 seconds on each leg at a time:

• Brushing teeth, talking on the phone, waiting for the bus or in the supermarket queue.
• Applying make-up or try grabbing a towel with your toes for an added standing challenge!

2 Take the stairs