It’s that time of year! A bit of sunshine, a bit warmer and we migrate outside. For some of us spring gardeners we dust off the mower and search out the various gardening tools and go for it!

red flower

Often it’s the next day, (typical of any unusual activity) we can’t move! Or at least we can’t lift our arms up, can’t bend over to tie up our laces…..  usually this eases up over a few days. it starts raining and we don’t repeat these activities until the next spell of good weather. 

Wouldn’t it be lovely to be gardening ready? If we really consider the level of physical activity we are doing then it makes sense to make sure we’re fit to start with. Its likely that unless we gradually do a bit of gardening building up over time then we will feel some soreness in the muscles we don’t use to do these activities.  Bending and leaning and moving heavy loads. but if we maintain a basic level of strength and flexibility then it’s likely to be a much more enjoyable and satisfying activity. 

I do love a kettle bell myself, or any free weight. Something that you can use to mimic some of the unusual positions / activities you do. Starting off with basic exercises such as a farmers walk, mimicking carrying something or kettlebell swings will get your body used to different movements.  There’s lots of ideas  out there, just remember to start light and gradually progress as the exercises become more familiar. And of course, if you’re struggling and want someone to work with you then please get in touch.

      [email protected] / 01159721319

A few thoughts from Mike Whichello from OneStop Wellbeing who is currently working with us 
 
“It’s a funny old thing is pain. My role back on the very front line of the NHS within GP clinics has been really interesting so far. Its given me a slightly different perspective to those patients that I was previously seeing within secondary care, who had been referred by their GP. 
 
No less than FOUR of my patients today presented with pain that had come on as a result of doing some gardening over the weekend. We have one good weekend of weather, and look what happens!! 😂 
 
Now clearly, on balance gardening is actually not an inherently dangerous activity (within reason). But much like other activities, if the demands that we place upon our Musculoskeletal system outstrip our capacity, then we can start to run into some discomfort. 
 
Each of these 4 patients were 50+. I’m fairly confident their pain will not persist for too long. With a bit of reassurance, not over medicalising their pain, and a gentle return to activity, I’m sure they will be back tending to the lawn in no time. 
 
But for me it was a nice illustration of the need to continue to build and maintain our Physical resilience and capability, to ensure that as we move through the decades, we can still do the things that bring us joy and happiness at the weekend.
 
So just as it would be … moronic to tell people that they shouldn’t run for their health, because their knees might hurt, the same applies for gardening, and its potential to cause you some back pain. 
 
But rather this post is just here to plant the seed (see what I did there?) 🌼 that much like your financial pension, the sooner we start paying into our physical reserves, the deeper those reserves go, and the better quality of life we have and maintain into those later decades. 
 

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