Survival Senses - Proprioception

Our survival senses are normally divided into two basic groups and are commonly referred to as our external senses and our internal senses. Our external senses allow us to respond to physical events and happenings in our environment that can affect our bodies. These include our senses of sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste. Our internal senses include things like hunger, thirst, pain, balance, location and fatigue. Proprioception is one of our most important internal senses. This is quite simply our internal sense of balance.

Proprioception is what gives us the ability to walk in the dark or to move without having to look at our feet. If you’ve ever suffered an inner ear infection, you may have unknowingly experienced a lack of proprioception (balance). Your sense of balance may have even been disrupted by a temporary spell of dizziness. In cases such as these, your sense of proprioception can be helped or restored through the use of your external senses. Grabbing on to an object to help steady yourself or the simple act of keeping your eyes open can help to restore your sense of proprioception.

Most importantly, proprioception is what helps us keep a level head. Our internal sense of balance allows us to keep from walking around with our heads rolling around on our shoulders. Proprioception allows us to hold objects in a steady position so that they may be used effectively and efficiently. It also allows us to move or position our bodies in a relatively safe and comfortable manner. It allows you to lean back in a chair without falling over backwards (usually!). It allows you to step over an object or recover when you may stumble over an object or to fall with a minimum of injury as your body seeks to restore its sense of balance. It allows you to stand on one leg without falling over or to climb a ladder or a tree. A proper sense of balance is a survival necessity.

Maintaining a good sense of balance is important for your survival. A lack of balance can lead to injury, accidents or an inability to respond to changes in your environment. There are many things which can impair your sense of balance. Illness is one the most common causes of a loss of balance and can affect almost anyone. A lack of proper rest, insufficient nourishment or hydration, and the improper use of drugs and alcohol are all factors which can affect your sense of balance. Staying healthy, getting proper rest and nourishment and limiting the use of those things which can impair your balance will help you prevent a lack of balance that could endanger your survival.

Got proprioception?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker