Shoveling Snow - What you need to know about burning calories, how to avoid injury, and more!
It’s That Time Of The Year Again!
As the first few flurries fall here at Lifestyle, we are reminded that the time to shovel snow is just around the corner. Shoveling snow can help you burn some serious calories, according to Harvard Medical School it’s a 532 calorie per hour workout for a 185lb person! We know it’s a great workout, especially with some of the snowfall we get here in Nebraska, but there are other important things you should know before you pick up that shovel.
Shoveling Snow Can Be Dangerous For Some
According to Harvard Health, roughly “100 people — mostly men — die during or just after shoveling snow each year in the US. Many more are admitted to the hospital with chest pain or other heart problems.” Shoveling snow is unique because it can shoot up both you heart rate and blood pressure faster, and “more dramatically”, than many other types of exercise. This change in body systems, combined with a colder environment that may lead to vasoconstriction, can result in a dangerous situation for many people. If you don’t normally incorporate exercise into your lifestyle, this workout may be too much stress for your cardiorespiratory system.
Ways To Stay Safe
Here are some tips for safe shoveling from the Harvard Health Blog :
Warm up your muscles before starting.
Shovel many light loads instead of fewer heavy ones.
Take frequent breaks.
Drink plenty of water.
Don’t feel that you need to clear every speck of snow from your property.
Head indoors right away if your chest starts hurting, you feel lightheaded or short of breath, your heart starts racing, or some other physical change makes you nervous. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency number.
Have a safe and healthy winter!
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-shoveling-snow-put-your-heart-at-risk-2017120612887
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/protect-your-heart-when-shoveling-snow-201101151153