National Gardening Exercise Day


Most of us struggle to get in the exercise we need, or our exercise routines become mundane.  Here is an alternative!
 
Today, June 6th, is National Gardening Exercise Day.  Did you even know the day existed?  Well it does.
 
Gardeners everywhere recognize the benefit of raking, weeding, and tending their vegetables. It’s therapeutic and benefits the mind, body, and soul. However, it is not without injury. Football players don’t have a market on pulled muscles and sore joints
There are a few key things you ought to consider prior to going out for a little yard exercise.
** If you’ve been a couch potato all winter, take it slow.  Work in spurts, rather than doing a single marathon session.
** Stretch first.  You are going to be using muscles that have lain dormant for months.  By stretching you will avoid injury.
** Diversify your chores.  Don’t spend the whole day down on your knees.  Pick up the rake or shovel in between times of weeding. Alternate your chores to avoid overstrain of a single muscle group.
** Avoid bending your back when you weed or hoe, bend at the knees.
** Then cool down.  Just like a runner takes time to let his muscles cool down, so should you.  Stretch again then take a long slow walk to relax and pat yourself on the back for a job well done.


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