Although doing house work and working out in a gym can be equally strenuous and tiring they tend to effect our bodies quite differently in some important ways. The most obvious difference between the two is that when we exercise we make a point of using the body in an even way, lifting the same weight on each arm, stretching both legs to the same degree and standing, sitting or lying straight as we do so. House work on the other hand is all about getting the job done as quickly as possible which usually means using your “good hand” to do most of it and not always in a very posture conscious way.

In past postings this has been discussed  in general terms (exercise and work) but today we will look at specific examples how house work can be done in a more user friendly way.  Alot of house hold chores can only be done predominantly using  one hand at a time like when we sweep, mop, vacuum and clean windows, the challenge here is remembering to do so an even amount of time and effort on both sides like we do when we are exercising. If you work this way it will slow you down a bit but as you get used to it your body will last much better working in such a manner.

Another way that the rules of good exercise can make house work less painful on your back is by keeping it straight as you work, if you need to pull weeds from the garden or get down to clean the bathtub, kneel or squat don’t bend over. If a kitchen sink is too low for you (as many older ones are) spread your feet further apart when you use it, this will lower your centre of gravity, you will not have to bend forward if you do this. Likewise if something is up high stand on a set of steps to do it NEVER on a chair or stool, chairs and stools were not designed to do this and are dangerous when used that way.

If you ever push a pram or a lawn mower stand up straight and close to what you are pushing, you wont back over your toes if you remember to step back first if you need to reverse, (if your mower has a grass catcher even better still) and make sure that whatever pram you buy has long enough handles for ALL the people who might be pushing it.

Erik Goodman’s foundation exercises are a good way to help lop sided core strength.

I don’t know anybody who likes cleaning bathrooms but you will have to do it less if you dry yourself while you are still in the shower recess and then use the towel to wipe the shower screen and tiles dry before you get out, where there is no moisture there is no mildew and mould to clean. A few extra minutes spent doing this will lessen the need to gas yourself and pollute our water ways with strong cleaning agents.