Gardening With Less Groaning

         It’s that time of year to plant and maintain the gardens but are you approaching your garden with proper body mechanics? Try to think about how you are positioning your body before weeding your garden all day. Are you bending over from the back or are you squatting down using your hips and knees? Save yourself from back pain and bend from your hips and knees. Try to remember to kneel down either on one knee or use your elbow for support in order to keep your back straight and core braced. Look above at the four options shown in the photo, they are all great gardening positions to avoid groaning! You may want to consider wearing knee pads or place a towel underneath your knees for more support. Another important aspect is to warm up before a garden session. Take a walk around the block, do some light arm circles and stretches. Try to be aware of how long you are out in the garden even if you can’t get enough of it; take a break, drink some water and change your position or project, so you stay loose and avoid soreness the next day!

-Jenna Willey