Last summer, on a rainy Saturday, I found myself in a sunlit East Village apartment, clumsily trying to surf on a wobbly contraption. I was paddling out, standing up, and attempting to hang ten—awkwardly, shakily, but with a hint of triumph. It felt like one of the most unnatural fitness challenges I’d ever faced. “Everything just feels unnatural when you start surfing,” said Aaron Thouvenin, cofounder of Surfset NYC, kindly. The workout demanded intense focus, core strength, explosive leg movements, and controlled breathing like in yoga. The constant shaking was strangely terrifying, even though I was just straddling a wooden board attached with bungee cords to three Bosu balls, far from any ocean.

What really scared me was the thought of falling. I doubted I’d ever spend hours in the open water, waiting for the perfect wave to rise from my belly into a push-up and then find my footing on a slender surfboard. But I longed to feel as steady on my left foot as on my right, to stop dreading balance poses in yoga class, and to ride the subway without clutching a pole for support.

I’m not alone in this pursuit. Balance has become the latest health craze, joining strength and flexibility as a key measure of wellness. Medical research supporting this trend often focuses on treating ADHD and dyslexia—some evidence suggests that poor balance links to poor focus, and improving one can help the other—or on the less glamorous aspects of aging. Large studies show that middle-aged and older adults who can’t stand on one leg for 10 seconds face higher risks of falls, cognitive decline, and, according to a 2022 study, an 84% greater chance of dying within seven years compared to those with better balance. These alarming findings spread widely, inspiring many to stand on one leg while brushing their teeth or doing dishes—a nation of flamingos aiming to ward off frailty and mental decline. Some even multitask by solving puzzles or learning languages while balancing, believing it boosts benefits. Have you seen YouTube clips of ballerinas balancing on rubber balls or people training proprioception blindfolded? Or spotted slackliners in parks teetering on narrow straps between trees? There’s a growing fascination with watching people stay upright against the odds.

Some might argue this balance obsession stems from broader societal instability, as if it’s hard to stay steady when the news is overwhelming. I disagree; I can worry about democracy collapsing and about losing my balance without connecting the two, and I know which fear weighs more. On a trip to Los Angeles, I met Olivia Spralja, a cheerful Canadian trainer who teaches Pilates, yoga, and HIIT in heated West Hollywood studios. She believes the pandemic reshaped fitness: “Teaching through these unusual times has been a wild ride because people look to you for relief in new ways,” she said. “It’s tougher when the world feels upside down, and you need something entirely fresh. That is tricky!” Olivia addressed my imbalance—my left hip has been weaker for years—with precise, repetitive exercises like split lunges, bicycle crunches, and dead bugs, where I lie on the floor raising my arms and bent legs, then lower opposite limbs. For her, balance starts from the core: strengthening it is key.Once you find your center, your legs and arms will naturally follow. The little red weighted ball is charming, and I’m drenched in sweat and trembling like a leaf. This is tricky.

Fixing imbalance is particularly tough because it can stem from temporary issues or years of bad posture, uneven habits, or simply not paying attention. For years, I’ve been reminded of my own unevenness every week during yoga poses like balancing stick at ID Hot Yoga in New York. If I’m sleep-deprived, had wine the previous night, or just stressed, my left leg shakes uncontrollably—like a wobbly rubber band. Tricia Donegan, co-owner of ID, recently suggested I try hatha flow for its quick transitions—there’s “no time to think or overthink” as you move from pose to pose. “You have to learn how to use two feet before you get on one foot,” she says with a wry smile. (Donegan seems born balanced, having learned to switch legs while waterskiing and play instruments with both hands—a tip for parents.)

So, I’m sticking with two feet for now. At Vital, a large bouldering gym near the Williamsburg Bridge, climber Carly Snidow patiently teaches me to step onto a slackline, which pushes my muscle control and nerves to the limit. “Establishing” on it gives an adrenaline rush and fully challenges my body awareness. At 720 Fitness, a no-frills, skill-focused training center on the Lower East Side run by two recent Georgetown grads, co-owner Emilio Joubert-Montanero has me doing sprints, jump rope, pogo hops, Bulgarian split squats, deadlifts, and push-ups to fix my imbalance. “Unless there’s a specific condition like a cognitive or degenerative disease, balance often comes down to strength. It’s a full-body issue, though this is a hot topic in fitness,” he adds. “I don’t believe in dedicated balance training—it’s not the best use of gym time. Broad problems need broad solutions.”

At Lisa Jones Pilates near Union Square, Jones, a former dancer, quickly spots that my weak left hip might be straining my right shoulder and maps out my body’s imbalances with sharp precision. Her method is anything but broad, which is why celebrities and artists visit her calm studio to strengthen their “powerhouse” (the core in Pilates terms) before events like Cannes. “When your powerhouse is strong and all muscles work together,” Jones explains as she leads me through one-legged exercises, “your arms and legs don’t have to overwork, your spine aligns, and movements become balanced and efficient.” Her classical Pilates is so polished, quiet, and intense it feels almost spiritual, like a remedy. After one session, I swear I stand taller.

But am I more balanced? I suspect that goal will take more time and focus—maybe brushing my teeth on one foot or, as Snidow suggested, with a finger pressed to my belly button and eyes closed. More burpees and Bulgarian split squats. More deadlifts and dead bugs. I’ll see you on the slackline.

Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and clear FAQs about achieving better balance for a happier healthier life

FAQs Is Balance the Secret to a Happier Healthier Life

Understanding Balance

1 What does life balance actually mean
It means giving the right amount of your time and energy to the different important areas of your lifelike work family health and hobbiesso that no single area overwhelms the others and causes stress

2 Is worklife balance the same as life balance
Worklife balance is a big part of it but life balance is broader It also includes your physical health mental wellbeing social connections and personal growth not just your job versus your home life

3 Can you have perfect balance all the time
No and thats a key point Life is dynamic Perfect balance is a myth The goal is to be flexible and make constant small adjustments like a surfer on a wave rather than trying to stand perfectly still

The Benefits of Balance

4 How does better balance lead to a happier life
When youre balanced you reduce chronic stress and feel less overwhelmed This creates space for joy presence and appreciation in your daily life leading to greater overall happiness

5 What are the health benefits of a balanced life
It can lower your risk of burnout anxiety and depression Physically it can improve sleep boost your immune system and lower blood pressure by reducing the constant strain of stress

6 Will being more balanced make me more productive at work
Yes absolutely When you are wellrested less stressed and have a fulfilling life outside of work you return to your tasks more focused creative and energized which often leads to better performance

Common Challenges Problems

7 Im so busy how can I possibly find time for balance
Start small Balance isnt about adding more to your plate its about redistributing your existing time Even 15 minutes a day for yourself or to connect with a loved one can make a big difference

8 I feel guilty when Im not working or being productive How do I overcome that
This is very common Reframe your thinking selfcare and relaxation