Improve Reaction Time With the Right Activities
By Tom Herrin
There are a lot things we notice that seem to wane as we get older. We seem to lose strength, eyesight, drive. Many times we may notice that our reaction time has slowed. Sometimes it seems like it has diminished so much that we really do feel old. The problem may not just be age. Our activities tend to change as we have more responsibilities and families. A lot of times we have become sedentary in our lives and no longer do anything to stimulate our body to utilize our abilities to the fullest. It doesn’t have to be that way. Most of us possess the ability to speed up and/or sharpen reaction time with activities that are not all that difficult
One Virtually No-Stress Activity
There is more information available today about meditative exercises. Yoga is probably the best known of these. It places an emphasis on perception and awareness. When done correctly, yoga can improve relaxation and the body’s ability to focus. Many people have also found that it can enable muscles to react faster and with greater coordination. Improved balance is another benefit.
Even The Things Our Kids Do
Believe it or not, playing video games can also improve reaction time. Your kids probably already told you that. It really is true due to the physical and mental responses that are required for someone to play the games. If this is done as a supplemental activity to other things, it can be a great addition to your response training program.
Nothing Is Without Some Level Of Stress
There are plenty of physical activities that build quickness without physical contact. Many older people play tennis. Depending on how you play it, it can be a lower stress activity that can improve hand-eye coordination that only improves with more repetition. Racquetball is another such activity that becomes a little more ramped up in intensity. If you can pace yourself in this, it can produce great results. Since our bodies are made of basically two types of skeletal muscles, we can perform activities at a higher rate of speed or intensity for only a minute, then rest until our heart rate slows almost to normal, then repeat again. This can be done in a series. It basically works the anaerobic muscles that work hard but short-term because of the amount of oxygen used at a high rate. The end result can be improved reaction time and the ability to keep up with those things around you.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.
