Spring is now in full bloom, which means many of our regular clients are now getting outdoors to work in their yards and gardens. That’s great! After being cooped up all winter, it is wonderful to be able to be outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air.
For our older clients, getting outdoors for a few hours can make a real difference in maintaining a positive outlook on life. But please be safe. Remember that there are lots of things outdoors we now know can be harmful if you’re not careful. For starters, don’t try to push yourself beyond your capabilities. Anything you need to be done around the house is something we can come in and do for you if it is too much. From cleaning out the shed to organizing the garage, My Divine Concierge is at your service.
Here are a few additional tips to stay safe while working outdoors this spring:
1. Pace Yourself
It is very easy to attack spring cleaning and yard work with a vengeance, not realizing how quickly you might tire in the sunshine and warmer temperatures. So pace yourself. Far better to go slow and steady to preserve your strength, than to go hot and heavy only to discover you are out of breath in a short amount of time.
Pacing yourself also reduces the risk of injury. You are less likely to fall, less likely to cut yourself or drop things on your feet, and less liable to suffer from things like heat exhaustion and dehydration. Speaking of dehydration, that takes us to our second tip.
2. Drink Plenty of Water
The old guidelines used to say drink between six and eight full glasses of water per day. While that has changed over the years, you should still make sure you drink plenty of water while you’re working outdoors. Sunshine and warm temperatures cause you to lose more water to perspiration, so it has to be replenished. Water is necessary to making sure your body is able to keep itself as cool as possible.
3. Where Appropriate Headgear
The older we get, the more prone we are to sunburn and heat exhaustion. One of the best ways you can protect yourself while working in the yard is to wear appropriate headgear. This usually means a hat with a wide brim to keep the sun off the face. A light material that still allows the head to breathe is good if you have something like that, as it makes it easier for your body to stay cool. A heavy hat is still better than nothing, though.
4. Carry Your Cell Phone
If you have a cell phone, carry it with you in your pocket while you are outdoors. You never know if you might fall or injure yourself while no one is around to help. Having your cell phone handy makes it easier to contact somebody in case of emergency. If you don’t have a cell phone, is your home phone
at least wireless? If so, many wireless headsets today have a long enough range to be still usable outdoors.
5. Be Careful Where You Walk
Lastly, be careful as you walk around the yard. Spring is the perfect time for bees and ants to build new nests in the lawn – and you don’t want to step in one. There might also be small sinkholes in the yard left over from winter, or debris from trees and your neighbor’s yard that could present tripping hazards. The more careful you are about where you step, the safer you will be.
As always, My Divine Concierge is available to help you with all of your household chores. We specialize in senior services designed to make your life easier, safer, and more enjoyable.