Spring is nearly over and gardens are greening up and growing great.
With the Great British weather being as unpredictable as ever we are often tempted, when the sun shows itself, to get out and get as much done in one go as we can. Your back is vulnerable to injury with there being a lot to do in a restricted amount of time and we always advise you to approach gardening like any other exercise.
Here are some tips on how to help prevent your body feeling battered after spending time in the garden.
- WARM UP! – Like any other exercise, gardening raises your heart beat and puts strain on the body. Avoid going straight into the heavier jobs, start off with the lighter work. This is really important to reduce the risk of getting muscle strain.
- CLOTHING – wear layers so you can remove as your temperature raises. Make sure they allow freedom in your movement and wear supportive shoes with good grip to prevent slipping.
- POSITIONING – Get close to the area you are working, especially when pruning. Avoid over stretching risking injury or falling.
- TAKE A BREAK – Don’t spend too long working on one area. It can be tempting to continue until the jobs done but this can lead to repetitive strain and pain later. Vary your activity every 20-30 minutes and take regular breaks.
- WEEDING – Use a knee pad to rest on. Have a lightweight bucket or bag to collect up piles regularly to keep your hands free. When collecting up larger piles of garden waste, bend both knees and keep your back straight.