Friday, May 28, 2021

Be like a flamingo


If you want a long life be like a flamingo.

According to an article on the BBC website your ability to stand on one leg is an indicator of how long you will live. (That's my very rough understanding of it.) And it's not too late to change the future: the article suggests practising every day.

Needless to say I had to try it. (And I bet you will too!) 

'Hey, this is easy. I'm going to live for ever,' says I. Then I read the article again and realise I'm supposed to be doing it with my eyes closed. 'Oh, well, how much difference can that make?'

You would be surprised. Whereas with eyes open I can balance for ages, with eyes closed I wobble and fall almost instantly. Doesn't bode well for my length of life.

I automatically stand on my right leg but when I change to my left I'm much steadier. 

I'm sure all you clever people who understand about brains and stuff can explain this. It's probably to do with the fact that I always balance babies on my right hip.  And listen to the phone with my left ear. Hmm. 

Sadly we've missed International Flamingo Day for this year. 

6 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Our balance deteriorates as we age, no doubt about it. One of the daily exercises in Qi Gong is to stand on one leg. I'm not very good at it but some of those elderly Asian ladies can stand there on one leg like a rock all day.

Cop Car said...

I should invite everyone to my funeral while I still have the chance - lol.

nick said...

"The biggest cause of accidental deaths worldwide, after car crashes, are falls." I had no idea. I'm pretty good at balancing on one leg with my eyes open, but with my eyes closed, I only manage about two seconds!

Marie Smith said...

I’ll have to try it now.

Kathy G said...

My chiropractor always talks about functional fitness, and suggests standing on one foot while you brush your teeth.

Boud said...

I do tree pose while I'm waiting at the microwave. My kitchen window overlooks the street. I wonder if local kids think I'm a little eccentric.