Every year, around 12% more Americans die during the winter months than in the summertime. This is partially due to thin, cold air affecting the cardiovascular system.
Many of these deaths relate to seasonal afflictions like flu, but shoveling snow also contributes substantially toward mortality rates at this time of year.
Snow shoveling involves intense physical exertion, which places strain on your heart. When combined with cold winter weather, this activity’s a recipe for disaster.
Here’s your survival guide for shoveling snow this winter.
1. Keep It Cool
This might seem like an odd suggestion during cold winter weather, but it’s easy to work up a sweat while shoveling snow. This intense workout soon creates a raging inferno of body heat under all those winter layers.
Commonsense layering helps you stay comfortable during this intense workout while protecting you from the cold.
It’s best to wear a layer of synthetic material under your outerwear to help wick moisture away. Follow this with a layer of insulating fleece, and a wind and waterproof jacket over that.
On very cold days a face mask helps warm the air you breathe and protect your nose from the chill, while a hat can prevent much-needed heat from escaping via your scalp.
2. Take it Easy
Unless you’ve hired snow clearing services to see to your winter yard maintenance needs, you’re going to spend many hours behind a shovel blade this winter.
Although it’s tempting to rush this tedious activity, this is never a good idea. Always start slowly, so your muscles can warm up before you get going and ease your cardiovascular system into the chore.
You should also take frequent breaks to help ease the strain on your body. Take a breather at least every 20 minutes, and stop shoveling if you feel dizzy or unwell.
3. Stay on the Straight and Narrow
Protect your back by bending your knees and keeping your spine straight when lifting heavy loads of snow. Twisting around is a no-no as this puts enormous strain on your spine.
During your breaks, perform backward bending exercises to reverse the excessive strain of bending over your snow shovel. Stand tall, place your hands on the back of your hips and bend backward for a few seconds.
4. Make Light Work of Shoveling Snow
Get shoveling as soon as you can, no matter how meager the snowfall is. Even a small layer of snow can harden into a serious slipping hazard overnight.
Before you get started, ‘wax’ your shovel blade with car wax, candle wax, or floor wax to stop snow sticking to it and make your job easier.
Don’t shovel the same snow twice. Dumping huge piles along the edge of your driveway means you’ll have to remove these heavy loads later.
Rather, heave each shovel-full as far away as you can, keeping service areas like pathways and doorways clear.
Better Safe Than Sorry
Thanks to these tips, you can make shoveling snow as quick and painless as possible, and live to see the summer.
This chore is one of the most strenuous things you’ll do this winter, so if you’re worried about your heart or your fitness levels, consult your doctor before you get started.
For more of the best tips on how to keep your home well-maintained and safe all year round, browse some more of the articles on our website.
