Even for the most active and fit, moving day can be difficult. Do-it-yourselfers can suffer from back injuries, pinched fingers, and twisted joints. These tips can help you avoid injury on your next move.
Don’t do everything last-minute
When everything is done quickly, injuries often happen. To speed up the process, you may take shortcuts, push yourself to the limit, or skip breaks. The worst thing is that you can avoid rushing by having a plan.
Make a plan as soon as you list your house. It is a good idea to start planning as soon as you list your home. This will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run.
After you have established a moving date, plan a timeline to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the day. You will be alerted and more prepared to avoid injury if you don’t stress.
Get ready to prepare your body
To avoid injury, strengthen your bones during the weeks before the move. You can start a routine such as sit-ups and planks. You can also build your abdominal and back muscles by lifting weights.
Even five minutes of stretching every morning can make all the difference in preparing your muscles to handle such a demanding day.
Start your day with a light walk or aerobic activity to increase your heart rate. To avoid injury, rotate your joints and twist your torso. Your stretches should be held for at least 60 seconds. If you feel pain, stop stretching.
Equally important is nutrition. Eat a healthy, high-protein breakfast before you begin lifting weights. You can choose from eggs, avocado toast, protein pancakes, or oatmeal with fruit. Take a break to have a nutritious lunch or dinner, and stay hydrated.
To prevent injuries, clear a path
You may not be able to see the items in front of your face when you are carrying heavy items. It is important to have a clear path from your home to the van. Make sure you clear out clutter before moving so you don’t have as much to do on moving day.
Clear a path through your house before anyone begins moving boxes. You can send your children to a relative or friend’s house, or ask them to stay in one room of the house.
Pets should be treated the same way. Ensure that your route is safe and clear throughout the day.
Additional tip: When carrying items around the house, always walk forward or backward. It is tempting to look to the side to see the path ahead of you. However, this can cause strain to your lower back.
Keep your lifts light
You might get hurt lifting too much weight. You can strain your back, and you could also fall if you are carrying a heavy load. Also, You can avoid injury by packing the smallest boxes as sparsely as possible. While you are packing it’s important to know how to pack a mirror for moving.
Your fitness level will determine how much you can carry, but 40 pounds is the maximum you should pack in each box. If you are prone to back or knee problems, consider reducing the weight to 30-35 lbs.
You’ll also need to move boxes. It’s not just heavy furniture that can be difficult to move. If you can divide large furniture into lighter loads. If you are in Canada, a professional moving company can help you with shipping furniture across Canada.
To reassemble the furniture in your new home, just remember to place all screws and pieces in a small bag.
Make sure you have the right equipment
You can also use equipment to reduce your load and prevent injury. This includes furniture carts, appliance carts, stairways, furniture sliders, and moving straps that will help you move around.
You and your helpers are less likely to be hurt by these tools, which can absorb a lot of the weight.
This equipment can be purchased at most home improvement shops. You can read the instructions and watch videos online to learn how to use it before you move.
While a furniture cart can help relieve some strain, it could also cause serious injuries if you don’t know how to properly use it.
Lifting is easy!
Most people have heard the old saying, “Lift with your legs and not your back!” There’s more to lifting than just squatting. You want to ensure that your legs are supported and that your feet are at least shoulder-width apart.
Next, lower your body so that your back is not under you as you lift. Remember to breathe and keep your back straight.
If you are going to lift the object, make sure your back is straight. This will reduce strain on your lower back. To help reduce strain and distribute weight evenly, the weight should be kept close to your body.
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