Genius ways to sidestep falls

Don hat, scarf and mittens Your risk of falling while outdoors increases by 53% if you’re feeling chilly, report researchers in the journal Gerontology. Emergency medicine physician Tim Rainer, M.D., explains, when you’re cold, your muscles tense up— and that makes it hard to react quickly and regain your balance if you start to slip. Thankfully, you can dodge this cold-weather risk just by following Grandma’s classic advice and bundling up before stepping outside!

Top oatmeal with nuts

Keeping your muscles strong will cut your risk of painful falls by 75%, says gerontologist Frank Landi, M.D. And enjoying a bowl of oatmeal topped with 1⁄ cup of nuts

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four times per week can help! That’s the word from Spanish researchers, who say these superfoods are packed with minerals (magnesium, selenium, manganese) that cut your risk of age-related muscle loss in half.

Clear your path

You’d think stairs and wet bathroom floors would be the biggest indoor blights, yet you’re far more likely to fall while walking in your kitchen, dining room or bedroom! The reason? Since these areas feel “safe,” we’re less likely to be on alert for tripping hazards. The CDC recommends wearing rubbersoled shoes or nonskid slippers indoors, arranging furniture so you don’t have to veer around objects as you walk and securing loose area rugs with double-sided tape.

Stand like a stork

If your brain reacts quickly when you stumble, you catch yourself before you fall. Good news: British researchers say regularly standing on one leg energizes the brain region that keeps you balanced, boosting reaction time by as much as 55%. To do: Once daily, stand near a wall (for balance, if needed), lift one foot, hold for 30 seconds, then switch legs. Repeat four times.