The snow is gone! We’ve had days in the 50s and 60s, so you are probably itching to do your gardening, right?
Before you grab that rake or shovel, remember, it’s still early, and your body may not be ready to switch from snow shovel to spade. Let’s review the basics for keeping your back healthy as you itch to garden, since the days are getting longer.
Is it really time to make the lawn look pretty now that the snow is gone? First you need to evaluate not only the weather, but how wet the lawn is according to the Get Busy Gardening blog. Since you may need to leave the rake in the garage for a bit longer, consider getting a start on preparing your body.
Now is the time to get your whole self ready for the gardening season. Here are a few ideas:
Take more walks in order to get your muscles limber and boost your heart rate
Do some squats
Take the plank challenge to build your core
Stretch every day
Set water drinking goals and keep hydrated
When you are ready to rake the lawn, don’t forget to stand up straight and don’t twist your back. We have more raking tips for avoiding injury here.
Just because you probably should wait to rake, doesn’t mean you can’t be outside soaking up the sun. You can get started:
Planting starter plants
Pulling dead growth
Pulling weeds
Removing mulch
Cleaning out pots
Cleaning up the vegetable garden
These are all amazing ideas, but remember if you want to save your back while gardening, you should:
Take a break
Drink some water
Sit for a while
Do some stretches
And, take in a bit of nature’s beauty
When discussing gardening and your health, you can easily remember these tips that spell BACK from the Ontario Chiropractic Association:
Before you start, warm-up your muscles.
Avoid muscle strain, learn the right techniques.
Change positions frequently.
Kneel to plant and weed.
Spinal check-ups can help keep your back healthy.
We know you are excited to be out in nature, so you might overdo it. If you do, take an epsom salt bath to help your muscles relax.
If you have some real pain, consider icing the throbbing muscle. If you have questions about using ice or heat, here’s a quick guide.
We are here to help evaluate your pain and keep your body in tip top condition for the rest of the gardening season. Make an appointment today to keep you going all summer long.
Photo credit: Markus Spiske on Unsplash
12940 Harriet Avenue S. Suite 240
Burnsville, MN 55337, US