Mindfulness in Fall Prevention

Stanford Hospital's Farewell to Falls Program introduces tips for mindfully avoiding falls. 

Basic Principles

  • Bring your attention to how your body is feeling before, during, and after changing position; for example, from lying down to sitting or from sitting to standing. Ask yourself “How is my body feeling right now? Am I dizzy or light headed? Do I feel pain or weakness in some part of my body?”
  • While walking, pay attention to the act of walking. Try to focus only on the walking. Our minds are easily distracted which can increase the potential for falls.
  • Use your breath, the sensation, and awareness of your breath to keep your attention in the present moment. You may need to repeat this many times until it becomes a habit.
  • Slow down. During every daily task, try to bring attention to the task at hand rather than allowing your thoughts to move onto something else.
  • Use everyday objects and events to help you bring your attention back to the present moment. For example, noticing the sound of a wind chime or a red traffic light are great examples that can help you to bring your attention back to the present moment.

For a full list of tips and resources, visit the Farewell to Falls Program page.