They look lovey but they are hard work..
OK.. this weekend is Clear the leaves time, Autumn is pretty much over and the tree’s have pretty much dropped every leaf they have, and what started has a lovely array of autumn colours is now a slippy soggy mess..
For many its a few hours outdoors on a chore they don’t really like..a chaotic blend of mushy brown leaves. If there was just a few I’d leave them but no there is lots 🙁
Why am I talking about leaves and gardens? Well I’ve seen a few gardeners already with sore backs and achey knees..it really can be a hard job and quite time comsuming.
Its that the kind of job we don’t prepare for, we simply get the wellies on, grab the rake and spend a few hours dragging, bending and filling bags or compost heaps.
So let’s make it a little easier on the body with a few easy tips.
If possible do it when it’s dry, they are easier to pick up and collect.
If you have a petrol mower use that to collect up the leaves.
Use a garden vacuum.
May be use a blower to put them into the corner to make it easier to pick up.
With any garden equipment though you do need to watch the weight and how you carry them.
Now for your back…
Don’t stress it out, look after yourself.
Raking leaves can be quite hard work and very repetitive.
So heres a few tips to help your back;
Clear leaves in manageable chunks, not all in one go.
Warm up, you move better when loose and less likely to pull something.
Take breaks.
When you finish get warm again.
Once warm do some mobility exercise such as the ones I give in the clinic followed by some gentle stretching afterward’s to help reduce the build up of tension.
I personally love hot baths to relax.
If you are achey consider a massage.
If you ache for more than a couple of days or experience any unusual symptoms it might be worth getting a look over at the clinic.
For me it’s a job that I don’t really like doing, but does a lot better afterwards.
So good luck and enjoy the week end.
Keep well, keep active.
Why am I talking about leaves and gardens? Well I’ve seen a few gardeners already with sore backs and achey knees..it really can be a hard job and quite time comsuming.
Its that the kind of job we don’t prepare for, we simply get the wellies on, grab the rake and spend a few hours dragging, bending and filling bags or compost heaps.
So let’s make it a little easier on the body with a few easy tips.
If possible do it when it’s dry, they are easier to pick up and collect.
If you have a petrol mower use that to collect up the leaves.
Use a garden vacuum.
May be use a blower to put them into the corner to make it easier to pick up.
With any garden equipment though you do need to watch the weight and how you carry them.
Now for your back…
Don’t stress it out, look after yourself.
Raking leaves can be quite hard work and very repetitive.
So heres a few tips to help your back;
Clear leaves in manageable chunks, not all in one go.
Warm up, you move better when loose and less likely to pull something.
Take breaks.
When you finish get warm again.
Once warm do some stretching afterward’s to help reduce the build up of tension.
If you are achey consider a massage.
If you ache for more than a couple of days or experience any unusual symptoms it might be worth getting a look over at the clinic.
For me it’s a job that I don’t really like doing, but does a lot better afterwards.
So good luck and enjoy the week end.
Keep well, keep active.
