Toning Muscles and Reducing Soreness related to Yardwork

Are you tired of raking yet??? Here in New Jersey, we just had a night of fierce wind and rain to bring another batch of leaves to the ground. I daresay there can’t be many more left, right? There were even tornado warnings for several counties last night.

I love to do yardwork, especially leaves. We have a very large yard set in a woods which allows me plenty of exercise toting the leaf blower on my back up and down our hilly acreage. For me, it’s a mindless task that allows me time to zone out and try to empty my mind, almost meditatively. It’s just me and the hum of the blower for hours sometimes.

Blowing and raking leaves as well as doing the yearly fall clean up of the beds can be a wonderful way to get exercise. Bending, digging, trimming and carrying heavy pots are all great for building and toning muscles and stretching the hamstrings and back. There are a few things to remember before you set out to attack the yard so it doesn’t leave you sore and ailing. Wear proper shoes. A good pair of hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers are a must if you are going to be leaf blowing, as all the stopping, turning, backing and sideways motion can be torture for your knees if you don’t have the support for your ankles and feet. Believe me, I know this one personally! Lace them up tightly and mind the twisting action. Step mindfully forward, backward and sideways, but don’t twist off the step off. Your knees will thank you later. For digging in the garden and getting things in shape for winter, stretch yourself well before you start. Stretch your spine up and lengthen it, also pay attention to your thigh muscles. Do hamstring stretches and quad stretches to warm up those squatting muscles. The warior pose is great for this, and a couple sun salutations will help before and after your work. Invest in a pair of sturdy leather work gloves to protect your hands. I love the Carhartt gloves for women. There’s no reason a woman can’t have lovely hands AND do gardening at the same time! Goat skin gloves used to be more popular, and I wish they were. These gloves have lanolin built into them and they soften your skin as you wear them. Really!

After the work day is done, it’s time to work on you! If you have a Sissel brush, now is the time for 10 minutes of dry skin brushing to remove dead cells and to stimulate circulation and lymph drainage. See my earlier post on more of the benefits of skin brushing. Draw yourself a nice, hot tub to relax in, and add a cup of Epsom Salts and a half cup or so of baking soda to the water. Several drops of rosemary or lavender esssential oils would do nicely as well. Soaking is a wonderful way to soothe sore muscles and relax your mind as well. It is a favorite place to read for me! By using Epsom salts in the bath, you are not only aiding in the detoxification process, but the magnesium in the salts is absorbed into the skin and is a natural relaxant for you and your muscles. Soak for 15-20 minutes and inhale the oils while you relax. Don’t forget to use a good quality moisturizer or oil apres bath, to protect and nourish your skin. I like the Kiss My Face brand as well as Burt’s Bees lemon oil. Pick a fragrance you like (phthalate free, please!) and slather it on. Then relax–you deserve it! You’ve worked hard.