Gardening for Your Body

One of my passions is gardening and I like to keep up with it all summer long and into the Fall, but that takes some extra selfcare so that my body can make it happen.  

​Here are some of the things I practice so that body pain doesn't grow, the garden does... 
Here's the list of things I make sure I have before starting my day out in the dirt:
*Water, lots of it
*Epsom Salts for the end of day
*Knee pads because as you know, gardening is hard on them
*A Chair in the shade

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Following are some other helpful tips so that you enjoy your gardening season

Pace Yourself
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Be realistic about your garden goals for the day as your body can only do so much. I struggle with this as I get into the dirt and lose track of time, BUT, you don't want to end up injured and on my Massage table the next day...or maybe you do!
Listen to your body as you go along and take breaks or at least check in every hour or so

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Body Posture, Body Mechanics and Body Rest
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Be sure to end your gardening day without back pain by remembering to bend from your knees when lifting and using long handled tools and being as close as you can to your project. Keep yourself in pelvic tilt, low back long to protect yourself
Use knee pads to spare the pressure on your joints for weeding, seeding and other on the ground garden work
Every hour or two take 5 minutes to stretch your muscles, replenish your fluids, sit down in the shade.

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Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

I certainly can't emphasize enough just how important water is for your body. Hydration plays a key role in your body's ability to function well. When gardening or participating in other outdoor activities, our body loses water through increased respiration and sweating...that needs to be replaced.

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Treat Your Body With End of Day Selfcare

You've had a workout, your muscles have had a workout and it's time for rewards, with some body selfcare! Muscles love hot moist heat as it increases the circulation of blood, and therefore nutrients to the muscles, as well as encourages muscles to release toxins. They also love an extra dose of Magnesium after a workout and there is no faster delivery system than through the pores of the skin. So take a soak in the tub, throw in a cup or two of epsom salts, pour yourself an extra glass of water and slip in. Your muscles will thank you for it

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