(ARA) – As the days start getting longer and warmer, folks are again pondering ways to be more active. Joining a gym or beginning a workout regimen are great ways to get in shape, but exercising more can also be as simple as resolving to complete daily chores around the house.
Tackling items on your household to-do list is a great way to spruce up your home, while also toning your body. However, the repetition of some household chores can lead to injury, so it’s important to take the proper precautions so you can stay healthy while you get in shape. Here are a few ideas for getting active around the house and how to avoid injury while tackling these projects:
Shoveling: Whether you’re shoveling snow or moving dirt around, shoveling is a great way to get a full body workout. When shoveling, make sure you are lifting with your arms and legs, not your back, to avoid injury. Also, be careful you are not overdoing it – don’t overload your shovel if you have trouble repeatedly lifting that amount and take a break if you feel too fatigued to continue.
Plant a garden: Having a garden lends itself to a constant cycle of good health, from the planting, weeding and harvesting of the vegetables, to eating the fresh produce. But working with garden tools every day can cause pain in your hands and wrists, especially if you have tendonitis or arthritis of the hands. If you find yourself in this situation, you may want to try using a pain relief tool called the SmartGlove, which also provides relief from carpal tunnel syndrome.
Yardwork: Raking leaves, sweeping walkways and mowing the lawn are also great ways to get out and get moving. When doing odd jobs around the house, it’s a good idea to limit the amount of time you spend on each activity and rotate activities so you aren’t continuously putting stress on the same joints and muscle groups. The SmartGlove may also help reduce wrist pain caused by the vibration of the lawnmower.
Indoor chores: If the weather doesn’t permit you to get outside and work, use indoor chores to get active. If you have a set of stairs in your house, use them to your advantage when doing chores. For example, if you’re putting away freshly folded laundry, take multiple trips to your upstairs bedroom. Again, you can avoid injury if you vary your tasks accordingly.
When you begin to look at everyday chores as a chance to exercise, you can improve your health while also tidying up your home, and you can feel a sense of accomplishment in more ways than one.
