With the New Year less than a week away, take a few steps to prevent back injury. Here are our tips to avoid accidents and reduce back pain.
1. SCHEDULE PROJECTS
There is only so much you can do as the family handyman. The more you understand your limitations and what is reasonable the better for your projects. It is okay to ask for help. You might want to start scheduling projects (like removing Christmas lights from your home) before the New Year. Take a few minutes to schedule winter projects in a timely manner so that you can spend time with family without worrying about when to throw out the tree. Whether your projects call for hiring someone to winterize the lawn or clean out the chimney, schedule your projects ahead of time. It’s okay if you don’t get to schedule everything before New Year’s Eve. If you plan ahead you may be able to reduce adverse effects, like chronic fatigue, which can lead to muscle and joint pain throughout the body, including the back. Manage your projects and you can reduce physical injury and mental exertion.
2. KEEP HONEY-DO LIST SIMPLE
The New Year is less than one week away! Are you stressing with the Handyman, Honey-Do List? Don’t stress. Write everything down that you need to get done on a long list. Yes, even write things that you plan to delegate to your lawn service. Be reasonable with what you can get done and create a simple list. Let’s just say you have seven tasks in the next week. Well do a task a day. This will keep your focus on multiple tasks and help you “Stay in the Zone”. With one task a day or shorter list, you will see how much more you will get done over the course of the week. By keeping your Handyman list simple, the less anxiety you may have, which can prevent panic attacks, high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, and prevent back injury among other conditions. Take your list and begin knocking out one task at a time and before you know it you have completed everything on your list. Cheers, to a relaxing New Year!
3. AVOID HANDYMAN ACCIDENTS
Now that you have a scheduled your projects and made your Honey-Do List simple, here are tips to keep your project works-pace accident-free. Prevent an accident by preparing your wear and pathways. For instance, if you live where there is ice and snow, get some ice grips for your boots and shoes. These cleats provide traction in mud, snow, ice and other conditions. If you are unsure of which cleats to use we can help or refer you to professionals who can. You may also want to eliminate slippery conditions on steps, ramps and decks. Solutions to add grit additives or add more traction to your pathways can also prevent a fall and later a back injury.
Okay your work-space has been cleared and your Handyman projects are in action. You are ready to store away boxes filled with Christmas decorations. Let’s take a minute to review proper ways to lift boxes and prevent back injury from WebMD. Tips 1) Do not attempt to lift by bending forward. Bend at your hips and knees to squat down to your load, keep it close to your body, and straighten your legs to lift. 2) Never lift a heavy object above shoulder level. 3) Avoid turning or twisting your body while lifting or holding a heavy object. Lift properly and your back will Thank You for it!
5. PREVENT OVEREXERTION
Lifting boxes and bending over and over are repetitive tasks that can increase the risk of overexertion. Yes, overexertion can take place in the family home, especially with a large volume of things to put away. If you feel you are not a allowing your muscles to properly recover you are probably showing symptoms of overexertion. Fatigue can also contribute to the risk of overexertion. As the family handyman you can limit your symptoms by scheduling your projects and making your to-do list simple. Set some time to plan out your activities or delegate. Bottom-line – perform repetitive tasks with caution and you will prevent back injury. If you feel you need to relieve your muscle aches, schedule a massage or back adjustment.
6. STAY ACTIVE
Reduce overexertion by strengthening your muscles and adding some cardio to your handyman daily activities. You can do this by taking a walk or a jog to manage body stress. Do some activity to help keep your muscles strong and help control your weight to take on Handyman tasks. By doing this you can avoid back injury. If taking a jog is not your thing, try lifting weights to keep your core and promote spine health. Whichever activity you choose, stay active during the Holidays.
Now that the Holidays are over, you can take these best practices into the New Year. Schedule your projects, worry less with a simple to-do list, apply lifting properly, and be active daily. Follow these tips, and you should find that you are less tense, which will help with back injury. Make it a New Year resolution to be a better handyman in 2018.