Gardening has been shown to be beneficial for your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Let's look at some gardening tips to make the most of those benefits and prevent aches and pains afterwards as much as we can.
Warm up
Gardening can be great exercise, so warming up is essential. You can follow Dr Paula's warm up if you're not sure where to start.
Heavy lifting tips:
Gardening does sometimes mean lifting heavy and awkward objects, so know you limits, ask for help when you need it and make sure to engage your core muscles to prevent injury.
Ask for help
One of the benefits of gardening is that it can be social, but also a gardening tip is to ask for help. Whether it is to lift a heavy or awkward object, or to keep you company, asking for help when you need it is important for all of us.
Avoid repetitive postures and movements
Try to vary your bodies position as often as you can. Repetitive movements can lead to strains, especially if the movement is not one your body is used to.
Stay hydrated!
Being out the in the garden can lead to dehydration from the sun and heat, or just because sometimes you might forget to grab a drink, so keep a water bottle filled and close by while you're in the garden.
Take regular breaks
Regular breaks can prevent fatigue that may lead to injury. Pausing for a cup of tea, to reapply sunscreen and to stretch is a great idea for every gardener.
Use the right tools
The right tool for the job can mean the difference between a job done well and a job not completed because you hurt yourself. If you don't have the right tool for the job, borrow from a friend or head to your local hire shop.
Just being out in the garden has so many benefits both mental and physical! Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and restore side of your nervous system) is essential for mental, emotional and physical resilience, so we strongly advise that everyone gets out into the garden for short bursts, even if you don't have a green thumb.
That being said, if you do find yourself sore and achey after gardening, please book an appointment to adsress the pain, and discuss how we can support your gardening goals without leaving you in pain.
