becoming more alert and aware...

[turbo wrx]

Hello,

I've realized that I've become worse at certain things now that I'm older. I used to have better balance for one thing. Also, I used to be more alert/aware.

Well, now my balance is bad. Plus, I feel like I just don't have the awareness/alertness that I used to. I get startled easy, which I hate. It's embarrassing. I guess it's a matter of hearing and peripheral vision. If someone sneaks up on me (not necessarily with bad intention), why can't I hear them coming or catch them from the corner of my eye?

I heard that Shaolin monks were so sensitive that if a fly landed on them, they'd automatically react. On the other hand, I don't feel prepared if someone was to sneak up on me and attack me.

Does anyone have tips on how to become more alert/aware?

Thanks.

[Jay]

Well most of our awareness comes from our hearing when we cant see anything. Its a fact that hearing declines with age and as you hearing may not be as good as it was this will affect your awareness from behind. Also as your balance is not as good it is likely it has to do with you ears.

With the shaolin monk thing thats because they usually dont live in citys.

In order to be alert/aware you should be practicing to become more alert and more aware. Thinking that your less aware and balanced then you used to be cant be helping so tell yourself that you are even if physically you are not. Then just try to drills like walking down the street slowly and letting people overtake you. Be alert to when someone is close using hearing and the little that you can see to the sides.

Edited March 2, 2008 by Jay

[Throwdown0850]

you can practice your reaction time? here is a basic one, have a friend put on some boxing gloves and have him REALLY TRY to hit you, not hard, but as long as he makes contact.. and you can try to evade or block..

[yingampyang]

Yes i do have some tips, just like the monks the best thing to do is meditate. While doing this ear and feel everything around you and slowly change your environment to be louder , eventually you will be able to pin point exactly where every thing is.

[bushido_man96]

To become more alert and aware, you should try to concentrate more on the things around you. When you drive, try think what street you are going by; and try to think of the name of the next one. Be concious of the fact that you are going to be walking around corners, and take a wider berth. Little things like this can help you to become more aware. When you pass someone in a hallway, try to recollect their eye color. When you see someone writing, take note of which hand they write with. All kinds of little things like this can help you.

As for the balance, I would just try to practice more on it.

[ps1]

As far as your hearing and sight go, they tend to get worse as we get older. See your physician on how to deal with these problems.

As long as there are no physical problems with your ears (see a doctor for that one) your balance can be resolved with training. As we age, we tend to lose proprioception in our muscles. That basically means that the nerves aren't sending the the message for a muscle to twitch in order to keep balance. The good news is it can be regained. A few tools that can help you are wellness balls and bosu balls. You can likely find them at any fitness center. Just google some exercises on them and you'll see what I mean. You may even consider having one or two sessions with a personal trainer to demonstrate how to use the equipment properly and safely.

Good luck.