3 Tips to stay safe when doing Household chores

3 Tips to stay safe when doing Household chores

Your back and spine are constantly bearing the brunt of your day-to-day activities. It can be useful to pick up tips to protect the back in household chores and avoid the aches and pains you now associate with many of these routine tasks. Whether it is doing the dishes, mopping, or cooking meals, the back is under strain every time you bend or twist it or even if you find yourself standing in one position without movement – like with a pile of laundry to iron – for several hours.

1. Avoid hunching or bending your back : Regardless of whether you’re doing ironing or chopping vegetables, be sure you never bend your back awkwardly. If you need to bend, bend at the waist for any work at waist-level or squat down on the ground for anything needing you to reach towards the floor.

2. Lift Correctly : When lifting heavy objects like furniture, a full basket of laundry, heavy grocery bags, or even a bucket full of water, always carry it using a safe technique. Never try and carry anything that’s over 20% of your body weight.

  • Keep the back straight and avoid bending at the waist. Only bend your knees when needed.
    Ensure the object is held close to your body to reduce strain on the back. 
    Don’t carry it below the knees or above your armpit.

3. Don’t stand stationary for great lengths of time : Standing in one position without moving can be bad for your back and leave you feeling sore and stiff. Try and move around a little every now and then, shifting the weight between feet and from the heels to the toes and vice versa. Stretch when you can. These actions help with blood circulation and reduce the chances of a stiff painful back.

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