You wake up, look out the window, and see your driveway covered in snow--best to clear it before you get ready for work; and best to have breakfast and a stiff coffee to get your motor going. You gobble down a hearty egg, bacon, and toast breakfast, quaff down your coffee, and are on the driveway within minutes. The snow is thick and heavy.
You've only got 10 minutes to get it done, but the double-car driveway now seems more like a curse than the blessing it was when you bought the house. Within minutes your heart's beating fast, sweat's soaking your hat, and you're starting to feel a bit dizzy. "No worries," you tell yourself, "just a bit out of shape..." You've gotta be in the shower within the next five minutes--your legs feel heavy in your boots.
This is a typical scenario--and it's a possibly deadly one, especially if you have a heart condition. Shovelling snow for half an hour is equivalent to a half-hour of lifting weights. And within such a period of time, it's not unusual to be lifting 2000 pounds of snow! As well, the cold raises your blood pressure and increases your heart rate on its own, thus raising the risk factor for heart attack.
With this in mind, here are some tips for snow shovelling:
1. Avoid if you've had a heart attack or stroke: If you have been diagnosed with heart disease, it's probably best to let someone else shovel the snow for you--unless you have a snow blower, which, nevertheless, should be done with caution and attention to staying warm.
2. Rest after a meal: Heading out the door to shovel after you've had a meal is not advisable, for your body is digesting the food, and adding more pressure to it could put strain on your heart.
3. Stretch: Take a few minutes before you get shovelling to stretch and warm up your body--just like you would at the gym. Those who know how to work out never just hop on a machine or set of weights without proper warm up--same goes for shovelling.
4. Give yourself a break: When you're working out, it's common to take a break between sets, and longer drink-breaks between exercises--same applies to snow shovelling. Bring a water bottle out there, and every 10 minutes or so, have a drink and take a breather.
5. Stop if you feel dizzy: Being dizzy, light-headed, and just plain weird while shovelling snow is not a good sign. If you're feeling this way, go inside and finish the job later. If the job is too overwhelming, it's probably best to call a friend, family member, or neighbour to do it for you--there are also snow clearing services that charge a flat rate for the job. Better to pay in cash than with your life.
6. Use a smaller shovel: The Big Bertha is great for driving golf balls, but its equivalent in a snow shovel can quickly pack on the weight and subsequent strain on your heart. Use a smaller shovel to keep the load lighter.
7. Dress in layers: Hypothermia is common when out shovelling snow. Working up a sweat and tearing your parka off, stripping down to a t-shirt, will only get you in trouble. Best to take a layer off at a time while keeping your body warm. Also, avoid drinking alcohol before or during shovelling, for it will make your body seem warmer than it is.
8. Be a snow angel: In Calgary, there's a campaign that runs every winter encouraging people to clear their neighbour's sidewalks and even driveways--it's called being a "snow angel," and it's something I've always admired. There are most likely people on your street who are elderly, under medical care, have back or hip problems, or are just out of town who could thus use some help with their sidewalks and even driveways. When you're out there, be a snow angel and clear other's sidewalks for them. You'll do something good, and help others out--you'll feel great.
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