by Margaret Telsch-Williams

Created on: January 27, 2009

Playing in the sun and digging your hands into the dirt are great ways to relieve stress. Nothing beats the joys of growing a successful garden whether it's full of fresh vegetables or beautiful blooms. But don't let the beauty of the garden fool you, it can be a real hazard for your body if you aren't careful. A great gardening experience can be stress free for both your mind and your body.

First, tools, tools, tools! Find the right tools for you and learn how you use them. There's everything out there from comfort grips to strange angular tools. A great garden hand tool is one that doesn't require too much repetitive motion or makes a usually harder job easier on your body. It just won't pay to be digging trenches for your potatoes if you resent the back pain you have after planting.

Next, use rocker seats or swivels that allow you to sit and lean into the garden rather than kneel for long periods of time. Kneeling, even on a cushion or pad can cut off or slow circulation to your legs below the knees. If you are in the planning stages of your garden, consider raised beds if you know circulation is a problem for you already.

Shovels, hoes, rakes, oh my. Larger tools, which usually require more standing work can also take a toll on your body. Be sure to stand straight, bending from the knee instead of bending your back to reach into the soil. When shoveling, lift large rocks or root balls out of the garden with your body rather than your arms, putting less stress on your wrists. Also make sure you use proper and comfortable hand and wrist positions to keep from causing pain in your hands or arms.

Larger items, such as wheelbarrows, mowers, or tillers can also become an issue if used incorrectly. Adjust the settings for the push bars to a height closer to the hips or waist. This allows the body to push the mower along rather than putting pressure on your arms and ultimately your shoulders. Keep wheelbarrows appropriately loaded and don't force them to hold more than they are made for. Remember, if it's in the wheelbarrow, you have to push it. Your back and legs may not be so forgiving if you lift and push the wheelbarrow when it is overloaded.

So long as you are careful and keep a conscious mind about taking care of you garden, you will also be taking care of yourself. There isn't anything worse than working in the garden all day, in love with the sun and greenery, only to spend the evening with a heating pad. The garden is a great place to let your troubles pass you by, and with the right techniques, you can enjoy the garden both during and after your work.

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