Snow shoveling 101
This may sound weird, but I actually enjoy shoveling snow… or at least I enjoyed it until a well-meaning neighbour wagged her finger warning me to be careful. Careful of what, I grumbled… Did I look frail and old or did she just want to hog all the fun of shoveling?
Whether you love to shovel snow or dread it, the reality is that most of us will at one point or another have to shovel. We have been lucky so far… only one snow storm this winter but with at least a centimetre of snow on the ground in Toronto for at least 65 days a year, we are guaranteed to get our share. So better be prepared!
According to experts, shoveling causes a sudden increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Together with the cold air, this can cause constriction of the blood vessels and decrease oxygen flow to the heart. This makes the heart work harder and may trigger a heart attack. So if you have a heart problem, had a prior heart attack or suffer from lower back pain, you should talk to your health care provider before embarking on the fun job of shoveling.
For tips on shoveling, check out "What you should know before you start shovelling" and read up on "Snow Removal Ergonomics" (PDF). Consumer Reports also has an evaluation on the five best types of shovels.
Last but not least, think back to your childhood and try to enjoy the magic of snow as illustrated in an earlier blog.
2 thoughts on “Snow shoveling 101”
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Clearing snow off your driveway can definitely be therapeutic and a good workout! Great post.