Break out the vacuums, lawn mowers and cleaning supplies, it’s
time to tidy up
– and get a great workout in the process
Temperatures are warming and dust bunnies that have hidden under the bed all winter are calling your name. The piles that have accumulated in the dark, yawning corners of cabinets are practically begging to be sorted through. The stacks of stuff in the garage are mocking you as they encroach on your ever-narrowing parking spot.
It’s time for spring cleaning.
Many people view this annual purging of household rubbish as an all-day or all-weekend event. And though everyone thinks about how great life will be when the house has been thoroughly cleaned and ruthlessly organized, most people forget the other perk of spring cleaning: It burns enough calories to be considered quite a workout.
“If you really think about what a really good cleaning involves, it’s easy to see that you’re getting some serious exercise,” said Janet Patterson, manager of Cleaning Services in Hollister. “You’re scouring sinks, dusting furniture and frames, cleaning window sills, moving furniture, vacuuming. And probably the person getting the biggest workout is the person cleaning the bathroom. There’s a lot of up, down, over, under and in between work in there.”
Because of all the moving involved in spring cleaning, people may want to consider preparing for the big event, said Dr. Mark Davies, assistant chief of orthopedics and sports medicine physician for Kaiser Permanente Medical Center at Santa Teresa. If someone is prone to injury in a certain spot, they should warm up that part of their body. People may also want to consider taking an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as aspirin, before getting started to help prevent muscle soreness.
“People need to be conscious of their posture and use good techniques for lifting things – bend with the knees and keep your body’s trunk over your knees to protect the back,” Davies said. “Space out your jobs. Do some lifting, then do something else for a while and go back to lifting later. People who aren’t as active as they should be will probably be pretty sore the next day if they overdo it on the cleaning.”
Spring cleaners should also remember that, as with any workout, it’s important to stay hydrated said Julia Gilmore, personal trainer and general manager of Ladies Health & Fitness in Gilroy.
“It may sound silly, but people need to drink a lot of water, and make sure they remember to eat small meals throughout the day to help their body recover from all the activity they’re doing,” Gilmore said. “Even people who are pretty fit and who exercise regularly may feel sore because their bodies aren’t used to doing the kind of specific moves it takes to do your spring cleaning.”
It’s also important to take stock of how you’re feeling as you move through the house, she added. If at any time you feel dizzy, nauseous or overworked, take a break and drink some water.
Finally, people working in garages or anywhere else that rodents may have found a home should wear filtering face masks, Davies said. There are several potentially fatal illnesses, such as Hantavirus, that can become airborne in dried mouse feces or urine.
So, coordinate the family calendars, get your exercise clothes and cleaning gear ready, and you’re on your way to a mean workout and spotless house.
