One of the most effective ways to stay healthy as we age is focusing on balance.

• Why it matters: More than 25% of older adults fall each year. 1 in 5 of those falls leads to serious injuries, including broken bones, The Washington Post reports (gift link).

🔎 Zoom in: As we age, we lose some of the sharpness in our vision and hearing. And we lose some strength and flexibility. All of that contributes to the ability to balance.

Flashback: One of our most popular Finish Line editions featured a simple balance exercise and test — the flamingo pose. Its power is backed by a study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

• Researchers asked people ages 51-75 to try to stand like flamingos — balancing on one leg with their heads up and their arms at their sides — for 10 seconds.
• When the scientists followed up after seven years, those who failed to hold the pose were 84% more likely to have died than those who lasted.

👀 What to do: The Post has a few key tips to improve balance.

1. Get your eyes and ears checked. Making sure your senses are sharp is key to preventing falls.
2. Get stronger. As we've reported, a key area to focus on as you age is grip strength. Your hands can brace a fall, and you can prepare them for the job by working on your grip.
3. Fall-proof your home. Clearing clutter and adding handrails can prevent accidents.

🪥 Bonus trick from Finish Line reader Amy Shamash: "I practice balancing while I brush my teeth. It's especially easy with an electric toothbrush, which takes two minutes — so I get one minute of flamingo pose balance on each leg."

The sun sets over Fenway Park during the sixth inning of the Atlanta Braves vs. Boston Red Sox last night.

• The Braves won, 8–3.