I am trying not to be too
disgruntled because of the noisy yard work activities in the neighborhood. A lot of people hire landscaping experts to
do their yard and garden preparations these days, but don’t you just itch to
get out there and dig in the soil yourself?
Spring does that to you. True
gardeners are eager to get out in the yard for fresh air and exercise. Yes, exercise. What you are doing out there counts as
exercise, and you need to approach it just as seriously as you do a good gym
workout.
It is a good idea to approach
yard work as exercise. You need to warm
up and stretch a bit before you start working, if you don’t want to wake up
stiff and sore tomorrow morning. Begin
with easier tasks first. Try light raking or sweeping to get your juices
flowing and your heart rate up. You
could wear a heart rate monitor for the fun of it.
Select the right rake. Seniors need to be serious about things like
selecting the right equipment. Pick a
rake that lets you stand nearly upright.
A shoulder height handle is best for most people. You probably thought that they only came in
one size? Certain postures can cause
pain, especially to the vulnerable back.
A longer handle means you won’t have to stoop. . There is also a rake called a Pick-Up Rake
that might be worth checking out, it lets you lift leaves into your bag without
bending.
Raking, hoeing, and sweeping
become aerobic when you keep a steady rhythm.
Hold the rake with one hand near the top for leverage and the other
hands held so that the elbow is bent slightly.
Keep your arms close to arms your body and use short, steady pulling
motions. Switch arms frequently. Use a wheeled trash can and don’t fill it too
full of leaves or twigs. If lifting is
necessary, use your legs instead of your back and remember those body
mechanics.
Take frequent breaks,
stretch and take the time to admire your efforts. Most of important of all is caution. It feels good to have the sun on your back
and the breezes blowing through your hair, but never forget that yard work is hard
work. Yard work is physically demanding
and has all of the elements of a gym work.
The bending and lifting build flexibility and strength. Raking, hoeing, trimming and digging are good
for the shoulders and upper back and you all know what squats are like. If you try to do it all in one day, you will
be sorry.
Comments