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Photo: @ginakirschenheiter

Originally posted at: Gina Kirschenheiter’s Denim Ruffle Asymmetric Dress

We all have fears that stop us from thinking about the really important things.

Personally, I think that we should be contemplating bigger issues so that we can make informed decisions. Only then can we take action to make the world better. We are not just lumps on the logs of life. We are sentient beings.

So, perhaps we should think about getting out of our comfort zone. Is it time to take some risks, make glorious mistakes and take plenty of leaps of faith?

The comfort zone is where exceptionalism is minimized. The comfort zone allows daily life to function at the lowest common denominator. However, we don’t always realize just how much we give up for the sake of comfort.

In an effort to minimize our greatest fears, we can be sacrificing our heart’s deepest desires. In the name of comfort, we can and will sacrifice potential.

Tony Robbins says (paraphrasing), “The dance of life happens between our greatest fears and our greatest potential.” This translates into “Life happens outside your comfort zone.”

This sounds good in theory, but how do we move through our fears to break free of limitations and embrace our true potential?

Here is my list of the top 10 things I think that we don’t think enough about.

1. Why do we not value kindness as a core human value?
2. What is the real role of government in the lives of its citizens?
3. Why do women over 60 feel invisible?
4. Why do we often distrust people of a different nationality?
5. Why are many countries still experiencing systemic unemployment?
6. Why don’t we restructure educational systems to reflect realities of the 21st century?
7. Why do people feel the need to convince others of their beliefs?
8. Why do we not prioritize sustainability in our lifestyles?
9. Why do many older women prefer to live alone?
10. What motivates us to immediately pull out our smartphones when sitting anywhere?

You Have to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone to Maximize Your Potential

One of the ideas I talk about in my motivational speeches is the concept of maximizing your potential. It’s too simple to say that we are mostly lazy thinkers. There is more to our nature than saying, “I want to stay in my comfort zone because it’s nice there.”

Of course, maximizing your potential takes effort and resourcefulness. It takes the ability to view your limiting beliefs with distance and honesty. It takes getting rid of the overpowering ego and putting it in its proper place.

There is a basic human struggle between ego and potential. You can only win with potential by being mindfully aware of everything that surrounds your life. You have to ask the deep questions. Everything that is inside of you – emotionally, spiritually, physically, and psychologically is connected.

It is fear that makes up the boundaries of your life. Don’t you think it’s time to stretch your mind? I’m sure you have things you don’t like to think about because they frighten you. Perhaps if we share them, we can get stronger together.

What Do You Think?

Let us hear from you about your struggles to be brave, get motivated and out of your comfort zone. What are the top ten things you don’t think about? Why do you think asking the tough questions is so, well… tough? What fears create boundaries in your life?

There are many things that can increase a senior’s risk of falling and one of the most common but often overlooked is the role of medications.

Seniors and their caregivers need to be aware of the medications that can put them at risk for falls.

In this article, I will discuss the role of medications in increasing the risk of falling among seniors and provide some tips on how to stay safe while taking medications.

What Factors Can Increase a Senior’s Risk of Falling?

There are many risk factors for falling among seniors, but they can be all classified under two distinct categories:

Extrinsic Factors

Extrinsic or external risk factors are the reasons for falling that are outside of one’s self. Extrinsic risk factors for falling may include:

• Fall or trip hazards in your surroundings.
• Poor lighting conditions.
• Ill-fitting footwear or assistive devices.
• Medications.

In an article I recently wrote, I explained how extrinsic risk factors are easy to modify but if left uncorrected accounts for 30-50% of falls among seniors!

Intrinsic Factors

Intrinsic or internal risk factors are the reasons for falling that can be attributed to your own body.

Intrinsic risk factors for falling may include:

• Poor vision.
• Deteriorating vestibular system (inner ear).
• Reduced physical activity.
• Presence of multiple medical conditions.

Intrinsic factors are relatively harder to modify or correct compared to extrinsic reasons for falling.

What Role Do Medications Play in Increasing the Risk of Falling Among Seniors?

Certain types of medication are more likely to cause problems with balance and coordination, which can lead to falls.

Medications for high blood pressure, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and depression are all examples of drugs that can increase the risk of falling.

In addition, some pain medications and sleeping aids can also cause seniors to feel dizzy or drowsy, making falls more likely.

Seniors who take 4 or more medications (also called polypharmacy) are especially at risk, as the interactions between different drugs can compound the effects.

As a result, it is important for seniors to be aware of the potential risks associated with their medication and to avoid activities that could put them at risk for a fall.

What Steps Can You Take to Decrease Your Risk of Falling?

As we age, our bodies become less able to regulate our blood pressure and heart rate, which can lead to dizziness and an increased risk of falling.

Medications can also have side effects that contribute to falls, such as drowsiness, impaired balance, and blurred vision.

To decrease your risk of falling, I recommend these next steps:

• Review all your medications with your doctor to ensure they are not contributing to dizziness or impaired balance.
• Ask your doctor if he/she can adjust the dosage, change the schedule, or replace your medications that have adverse side effects on your balance and equilibrium.
• Check your blood pressure regularly and maintain healthy blood pressure.
• Exercise regularly to maintain your muscle strength and improve your balance.
• Download a free guide I included in my recent article that listed several medications with known side effects affecting balance and equilibrium.

By taking these steps, you can decrease your risk of falling by as much as 30-50%!

Let’s Have a Discussion:

What about you? Were there medications you previously took that affected your balance? How did you notice this effect on you? What did you do to minimize their impact? How did your healthcare provider assist you?

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