Keep Proper Form: Whether you’re pulling boxes of holiday decorations out of the attic, doing yard work, or washing windows, maintaining correct form is important. Keep your spine straight; lift heavy objects with your legs (don’t bend at the waist and round your back when picking up heavy items); wear appropriate shoes for physical activity; don’t twist when lifting; and don’t sit, stand, or lay in positions that strain your neck.
Warm Up: Even if you’re just hanging holiday lights or raking the leaves, you’re still using muscles and moving through a wide range of motion. Doing some light stretches to loosen up your muscles and limbs beforehand can be helpful in preventing injuries or placing extra strain on your body. Another good warm-up is a simple short walk to promote circulation.
Take breaks: If you have a lot of outdoor yardwork to get done, don’t try to cram it all into all into one 12-hour yard work session. This puts your body under a lot of strain and can lead to injury. If you can, break up the work into shorter sessions.
