You made it to the weekend!

Happy Weekend!

Welcome to Gardening Season! 🌻

If you are like me, I am diving my hands into dirt this weekend!

Spring has finally arrived (at least at 54 degrees north parallel), and with it comes the vibrant green of trees and grass, the brilliant blue of the sky, and the golden sunshine warming everything up.

The beauty of spring seamlessly flows into summer, making it the perfect time to dive into gardening.

If you’ve swapped your winter coats for gardening gloves, you’re ready to embrace this season’s joys.

Gardening brings a sense of newness and excitement, but it also introduces physical activities that our bodies might not be prepared for. Whether you’re new to gardening or returning after a break, it’s important to ease into these activities to avoid those little aches and pains.

🌻 Here are three tips to help you get ready for gardening season:

1. Warm Up Before You Dig In

You might wonder why you need to warm up before gardening. Think of it as preparing your body for the various tasks ahead. Start with a simple walk around your yard to assess what needs to be done. This walk not only helps you plan but also gets your blood flowing to the muscles you’ll be using. Spend 2-5 minutes walking and observing, then proceed to some dynamic movements. Which leads right into the second tip!

2. Focus on Your Major Joints

After your initial warm-up, it’s crucial to keep those big joints—shoulders and hips—moving. Shoulder exercises like shrugs, circles, and cross-body stretches can loosen up your upper body. For the hips, a few sit-to-stands from a patio chair can prepare you for bending and lifting. These movements activate the larger muscle groups needed for many gardening tasks, making your body more resilient and ready for action.

3. Remember: Less is More

Gardening is about balance. Just like a plant can suffer from overwatering, your body can suffer from overexertion. Pay attention to how you feel as you work. Take breaks, breathe deeply, and listen to your body’s signals. If you feel a twinge or discomfort, it’s a sign to pause and rest.

Consider how weeds and pests, like dandelions, proliferate when left unchecked.

Overexerting yourself in the garden can lead to aches and pains that become as pesky as those unwanted weeds. Pacing yourself prevents these “weeds” of discomfort, allowing you to enjoy your gardening without the unwelcome “pests” of sore muscles and joints.

By easing into each gardening session and listening to your body, you’ll enjoy a season full of healthy and enjoyable gardening.

If you need specific movements to help you prepare, check out the handy handout available in The MedFit Movement Studio perfect for the gardener within you!

Happy gardening and moving!

Lisa

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