When you were young, shoveling snow was fun. But now that you’re a homeowner, you may not take nearly as much joy in the process.
Without the right approach, there’s a chance you could suffer a serious injury that lays you up for quite some time. Fortunately, there are some safety tips you can follow to prevent injury this winter:
• Push, don’t lift: Rather than scoop, lift, and throw, attempt to push the snow out of the way. This puts less strain on your arms, back, and neck.
• Take breaks as necessary: Don’t push yourself to the limit. When you begin to wear down, take a break and reassess the situation. This is preferred to pushing too far and ending up with a serious injury.
• Stay hydrated: It’s easy to assume that the cooler weather will keep you hydrated, but this isn’t true. You’re still sweating, so it’s imperative that you drink as much water as possible.
When you take these safety tips, you’ll feel better about your ability to prevent an injury when shoveling snow this winter. Don’t take any risks with your health and well-being!
Jennifer Ferdinand, owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio in Burke, VA, has been practicing massage therapy and esthetics since 2006. She is nationally certified through NCBTMB, and licensed in Virginia for both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.