Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Arlene Petersen, Certified Senior Advisor and Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. This winter has been very hard on me, keeping me indoors. I am more than ready to get out and garden now. Iām a little concerned on how to tackle this after being so sedentary all winter.
A. This winter has been a doozy! We are all restless, and personally, I canāt wait to dive into the garden. You are smart to realize that being inactive most of the winter could have caused some limitations to your body. Getting back on track this spring, especially in the garden, requires some preparation. Itās all about safety. So to help our bodies cooperate, I suggest starting with some simple chair exercises that are slow and easy. Start in advance of your target gardening date. It means you have to be intentional and schedule a time and place for your āworkout.ā Also make sure you check with your doctor to ensure he or she is on board. He will advise you and can give you exercises to do as well. Once you are out in the yard, make sure you do take care of yourself. Wear gardening gloves. These will keep you from cutting or hurting yourself, especially if you have delicate skin. My friend loves the feel of the dirt between her fingers but, as we age, so does our skin, and it becomes a bit more fragile. Itās worth this little precaution to prevent a small cut or sliver. If itās cold outside, dress in layers and remove them as needed. Make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. This is important especially if you work in the warmer weather as well as the cold. When working in the heat, try to work in the shade and wear breathable clothing.
When you work, try to avoid repetitive motions as well as working in the same position for an extended period of time. Use adaptive tools to make the job of digging and reaching easier. These special tools are designed to reduce the risk of injury. Itās always easier to work with soil after a gentle rain so remember this when you plan to begin your work. By all means take a break while you are working. Itās easy to let time slip away when in the garden and your body might feel stiff and āfrozenā after working in one position for a long period of time. My friendās father takes breaks when he cuts the grass and he has turned it into a two day project. It works out just fine for his schedule! Donāt be afraid to start small and spread your gardening out over a period of time. A personal caregiver can even help you with this. Itās a great time for companionship and getting the job done. Your caregiver can help with help sowing seeds, potting plants, and maintaining them as well. Know your limits and donāt overdo it. A caregiver can do just that for you, gently reminding you to stop while you are ahead and helping you continue the gardening on another day. The next step will be for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to apetersen@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL, 60177. Visit us on Facebook!
