Now that we have made it to November 2021, it is time to gear up for the cold winter months. As you get colder, your muscles tighten and contract to keep you warm and keep the cold air from making you cold. When this happens, everyone is much more likely to get pulled muscle injuries.
One of the most common instances of this comes from shoveling snow. You get your coat and boots on and head right out into the cold to shovel. That can cause you to pull any muscles you will be using to shovel.
Another example of pulled muscles is when you are out in the cold and happen to slip and fall on some ice. Your muscles will be cold and unprepared to fall. You may not only get a broken tailbone but also a few pulled muscles. Continue reading below to find out how to avoid these muscle injuries this winter.
How To Avoid Pulled Muscles In Winter:
1. Don’t shovel without stretching – Make sure you are nice and warm, and that you haven’t been inactive for too long. Move around a bit if your muscles haven’t been used in a few hours or more. Then take a few minutes to stretch out any muscles you may use during your shoveling adventures. However don’t work up a sweat first and then go out in the cold. It isn’t good to expose moist and sweaty skin to cold temperatures. The main point is to get stretched and start off with warm muscles. For extra prevention, stretch your muscles after you get back inside as well. Reward yourself with some hot coca and relaxation.
2. Prepare for ice – Many people don’t know how to avoid slipping on ice when it comes down to it. It helps for everyone to follow these tips. First, wear shoes or boots that have lots of non-slip tread on the bottom. Invest in some shoe spikes that go over and under your shoes/boots. Secondly, just walk with caution, slow your walking speed way down, bend at the knees, and watch where you are going. Walk with your eyes down at the ground to be sure you know exactly where you are putting your feet. Lastly, make sure to keep walkways and stairs shoveled and use plenty of salt to melt the ice often.
3. Stay flexible – Take time once in a while to work on your flexibility. Warm up your muscles a little bit, and stretch as many of your muscles as you can. An expert tip would be to use YouTube or other online resources to learn how to stretch your muscle groups effectively. Give extra attention to your back and arms if you need to shovel snow often.
4. Work on your balance – Even if you do all of the tips above, you may still struggle if you have poor balance. Prevention of injuries and falls really comes down to having enough good balance to catch yourself or shift your weight to one leg when necessary. Being able to think quickly and center your body weight really matters. As an example, you may need to shift all of your weight to one leg while avoiding a patch of ice. If you have bad balance you will probably have a hard time. Just like the previous tip on flexibility, you would benefit from looking up balance exercises online. Try standing on one leg while you watch TV or while you wait for dinner to get done cooking.
Whether we like it or hate it, winter is on the way. Use the tips above to stay healthy, safe, and happy during the colder months. Happy Holidays!