My Top 5 Tips For Gardening

We've had some interesting weather the past few weeks!  But you know the old saying "April showers bring May flowers", or in this case "April showers bring snowplowers"!  With all the rain and snow melting with all the sunshine we've been getting, plants will be blossoming soon!  Which can mean that we will be gardening.  If you have been following my posts for a while, you may remember an article I wrote about shovelling snow, so I thought this would be a great time to write about a chore that I see injuries for during this time of year.

1.  As with most activities, it is a good idea to do a warm up and cool down.  Many people don't think of gardening as a form of exercise.  But when you think of all the heavy lifting and pulling weeds, and moving things, it all adds up!  Preparing your body for the activity beforehand and doing some gentle stretches after will help prevent muscles from stiffening, much like you would when you work out.

2.  Speaking of heavy lifting,  like training at the gym, it is important to use proper body mechanics to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the body.  Bending with your hips and knees (instead of your back), frequently changing positions to avoid stiffening (or moving around if you're stationary), and using proper equipment (wheelbarrow, high planters, tools with extensions) can help reduce the strain on your body and keep your body moving longer.

3.  Take breaks.  It is great that you will be up and moving your body, but over time the muscles will get tired.  If you are in tune with your body, it will tell you when it has had too much and needs to rest.  Taking that down time can not only keep aches and pains away, but also keep you productive at your tasks instead of focusing on the pain.

4.  Drink plenty of water.  Your body will need to be hydrated with the extra work.  Having a water bottle close by when you take your breaks.  This will help keep your body hydrated while you work.

5.  Take time to enjoy the results of your hard work.  Not a lot of people are mindful of this (myself included).  Taking the time to sit back and be happy with your work I find helps keep you motivated to keep at it.  You can cook with food you have grown, or simply sit and enjoy the clean space and aroma.  I love sitting in my yard once things have been tidied!  It is such a sense of accomplishment!

I hope you have found these tips helpful!  For more information, please check out the link in the Reference section for the original article that inspired this blog.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you have a great weekend!

Reference:

8 Simple Gardening Tips to Prevent Injury. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2019, from https://www.saanichtonphysio.com/easy-tips-to-feel-great-with-simple-exercise-special-gardening-tips-too/