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By Sue Shekut, Owner, Working Well Massage, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Wellness Coach, ACSM Personal Trainer
Stuck indoors due to the Chicago Blizzard? For some it’s a welcome day off from work or school. For others it’s an unplanned snow shoveling marathon. Here a re a few tips to help you get through the snowy blustery day today!
Tips on shoveling snow without hurting your back here.
The one tip I want to stress is to pace yourself so you don’t overdo it. Shoveling snow is not like going to the gym where you can stop between reps and end after 3 sets! But you can shovel for about 30-40 minutes (or less if need be) and then take a break. The snow will still be there when you get rested up!
Stay hydrated–shoveling is a strenuous exercise. You wouldn’t run a 5 hour race without water. Shoveling snow is more grueling and uses more of your full body muscles. Keep your body well fueled and drink plenty of water. Don’t drink a lot of coffee though–it can dehydrate you!
Keeping Kids Entertained
Keeping your kids entertained when off of school is a challenge. Let them go outside, well bundled and make snow people, snow angles and build snow forts!
Making Money Shoveling Snow
Or if your children are teenagers and healthy, let them shovel your neighbors walks and driveways and make a few bucks! Here’s how. I know I’d pay a neighbor teen to shovel for me today!
Emergency Preparedness Plans
Keep your cell phones and computers charged in case you lose power. And if you have afire place, make sure you have dry wood ready to burn in case you lose heat. Keep flashlights, matches and warm clothes, gloves, and jackets close at hand. For a great list of tips for blizzard preparation click here. And here’s how to make a blizzard survivial kit.
Blizzards Are a Great Time to Be Neighborly
It’s a bit late for pre-blizzard preparations, but for those that are well prepared, it’s a great time to check on elderly or inform neighbors, single moms and anyone that may have a harder time dealing with snow conditions. One of the nice things about living in the city is the spirit of neighborliness that some people bring to the storm. For many years I’ve been blessed with kind and strong neighbors that can lend a hand to help push a stuck car out of the snow, or help shovel or clear a path for our cars to drive out of our spaces.
People with heart conditions can have a harder time shoveling snow or dealing with hazardous conditions. Doctors advise us to help our elderly and infirm neighbors–it may save a few lives! And in blizzard conditions, emergency vehicles may have a harder time reaching injured people or those with heart attacks. This afternoon, I will be shoveling my back ally for my own car as well and for my neighbors
How about you, what are your plans for the snow day?
Related articles
- More Snow?!? Safety Advice When Dealing With A Blizzard (homesecuritysource.com)
- Eco-Friendly Snow Removal (and I don’t mean Spring…) (tinychoices.com)
- Today’s Weather: Snowed In (chicagoist.com)
- The Groundhog Day Blizzard of 2011 From Chicago (socyberty.com)
- Bracing for a major winter storm (thegazette.com)
- Snow Shoveling Injures Thousands Each Year (webmd.com)
- Important Snow Removal Tips (gloucestercitynews.net)
- City Room: Shovel That Roof, Before Something Bad Happens (cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com)
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