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Gardening is a relaxing hobby for many people. It is a welcome break from the busyness of life, allowing one to enjoy the fresh outdoor air and the pretty sight of plants and flowers. But when your body starts experiencing pains because of it, it becomes stressful and troublesome.
This should not have to mean the end of your gardening activities. It often just takes some adjustment and better practices. Should these issues persist, though, it is important to visit a professional to get the proper treatment. Chiropractors can treat the back pain and make sure that no misalignments or strains occur in the future.
Aside from medical assistance, you should also see to it that you are safely doing your gardening duties daily. Here are important tips to keep in mind before you go out to tend to your plants and crops next time.
Treat It Like a Workout
Since gardening tends to be a physically demanding activity, prepare for it like you would your gym workouts.
- Get your body warmed up beforehand
The reason for your body pain may be that you don’t prepare it for all the work you do in the garden. When you don’t have an active lifestyle, your muscles become weaker and more prone to injury.
Help your body ease into your tasks by first warming up. Take a brisk walk around your garden for around five to 10 minutes to prep your muscles. You can then do some stretches to ensure your limbs are in the right condition for all the bending and lifting you will have to do.
- Mind your posture
Your posture could also factor into the aches and pains you experience during or after gardening. Poor posture can put too much strain on your back and knees, which could lead to painful injury.
When you need to bend down, keep your back straight. Also, use your knees to go down to a squat or kneeling position when you have to reach for something low. Have a cushion that you can kneel on, too, to keep from putting unnecessary pressure on your knees.
- Take breaks in between tasks
Just like when you are exercising, you shouldn’t try to accomplish everything all at once. Don’t attempt to finish everything as quickly as you can, especially when your body is not used to strenuous physical activity.
Take breaks in between tasks to drink some water and stretch your muscles. Stay in the shade, too, and apply more sunscreen on the exposed parts of your skin. If the weather is particularly warm that day, opt to wear a hat and loose, thin clothing to ward off the heat.
Make It Easier for Yourself
Another tip is to find ways to make the work simpler and less tiring for you. You don’t have to keep enduring the stress.
- Use special tools
Many gardening tools help you maintain proper posture and alleviate the difficulty of lugging things from one area to another. When you need to carry heavy items around, use a wheelbarrow or a cart to bring them to your next task easily.
Find tools that have long handles, too, so that you will not have to do too much bending in the garden. These ergonomic gardening tools are beneficial for those suffering from arthritis.
- Adjust the layout of your garden
Sometimes, how things are arranged in your garden can make it harder for you. This is particularly true when you have preexisting conditions that your gardening duties could aggravate.
One thing you can do to make it easier to tend to your garden is to raise your boxes and pots, as doing this will reduce the amount of bending you have to do. You can also try your hand at vertical gardening instead, as this arrangement makes plants more easily accessible than laying them all out on the ground.
- Ask for help
Know your limits. If your tasks are too hard to accomplish on your own, reach out to someone and request assistance. Having another set of hands and feet tending to your garden makes the work much faster and even more enjoyable.
When you have someone to share the work with, gardening becomes a social activity in addition to being a physical activity. It contributes to your mental well-being alongside its benefits to your physical health. Take the time to sit in your garden and appreciate what’s in it while enjoying good company, and let the experience relieve your stress and boost your mood.
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