A leading cardiologist suggests thinking of your health as a ship and your balance as its anchor. A simple 10-second, one-legged stand can tell you if your anchor is holding firm or if you are adrift in a sea of health risks.
This powerful metaphor is grounded in a 2022 study that followed 1,700 adults. The research showed that those with a strong “health anchor”—demonstrated by good balance—were far more likely to weather the storms of aging successfully.
The study found that individuals whose anchor held for the 10-second test had a greater than 90% chance of staying afloat and healthy for the next seven years. Those who were unanchored and unstable faced a much higher risk of being overcome by health issues.
The heart specialist explains that this is because balance anchors you in space and is a direct reflection of your body’s ability to orient and stabilize itself. This requires a strong connection between your brain and body, much like the chain connecting a ship to its anchor.
If you feel you are adrift, you can drop anchor. The expert recommends practices that help you feel more grounded and centered. Activities like yoga and Tai Chi are excellent for strengthening your core stability and improving your balance, ensuring your health remains firmly anchored for years to come.