Stand on One Leg

Quick Win

Stand like a flamingo to test your balance and help reduce your risk of falling.

Try This Today

1. Stand with your left hand on a sturdy chair or table. Keeping your right foot on the ground, lift your left foot behind you so your shin is parallel to the floor.
2. Slowly let go of the chair and hold this position for up to 10 seconds, grabbing the support if you feel unsteady. Lower your leg. Repeat 10 to 15 times.
3. Repeat the exercise on your right side. If this is easy, challenge yourself by closing your eyes.

Why

Daily balancing exercises can improve your balance, protect against falls and make a difference in overall health as you age. Older adults between the ages of 65 and 80 who did six months of balance training exercises had better balance than those who didn’t do the exercises, in a randomized controlled trial of 59 adults published in Neurobiology of Aging in 2025. The participants also got brain scans, which showed more efficient activity in areas of the brain linked to better balance in those who did the training.