The sun is shining, the weather is just right, and your garden is waiting for you. But before you dive into that soil, make sure you’ve done what you need to enjoy your gardening without pain later on.
It’s clear that spending time in the garden lifts your spirits and boosts mental health, but it can also put a strain on your body.
“So many benefits – I personally find it to be a very relaxing activity,” said Kris Morettie with Terra Greenhouses. “So it’s something that we can zone in on, it’s something tangible in the physical world that gets us disconnected from social media and the digital realm.”
“I see at least one gardening injury every day,” said Oakville chiropractor Dr. Adam Solis.
He mentions that muscle strains are the most frequent gardening injuries; they hurt but aren’t usually severe.
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“One of the other common injuries we see is if somebody is gardening – let’s say they’re really lifting up a heavy plot,” said Solis. “That process of lifting up, if they overextend their lower backs, we might be seeing some SI (sacroiliac joint) issues, or some facet irritation, the facet joints or the connecting joints between the vertebrae themselves.”
He recommends taking a short walk and doing some stretching before getting dirty in the garden, especially if you’ve been inactive during winter.
Remember to wear sunscreen and appropriate clothing while gardening to protect yourself from sun exposure.
“Gardening is an outdoor activity, it’s great for you, but being mindful of sun exposure is a big deal,” said Morettie. “So ensure that you are wearing sunscreen; a hat is a great idea, and long sleeves if you can.”
Gardening in the early morning or late evening helps avoid those peak UV hours of the day. Plus, having someone help out can make things easier too.
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