Tips for Moving Without Risking your Health

If you’re like most people moving homes, chances are you have a lot of belongings. Rooms full of items and necessities – years of accumulation filling up your entire home. Which is great for whenever you need something obscure; you might even pat yourself on the back for having held onto this or that. But when it comes time to move, you’re not nearly as excited about that random object you found from 10 years back. Instead, you’re ready to downsize and clean out.

Whether or not you actually get rid of items is up to you. However, when it comes to the moving part, there’s plenty of work to be done. Most of which is heavy, unpleasant, and downright time consuming. You can even cause injuries when lifting too much weight, or without giving muscles the proper time to recuperate. 

Relocating in a Back-Friendly Manner

To avoid injury, especially for those who generally don’t lift, remember a few simple rules.

First, pack it light. If you have a large book collection, consider filling boxes that are half full of books, half sweatshirts. Or towels, or yarn, or stuffed animals – whatever it is that will help even out the weight. The same can be done with other heavy items, like dishes or glassware. Desks and dressers can have their drawers removed (or at the very least, emptied).

Next, lift it right. With the legs, not the back. Don’t pick up anything that’s too heavy for you – have someone else do it instead. Or enlist the help of a dolly for safe movement. 

Finally, hire it done. Whether that be with a moving company, or offering up the neighborhood boys free dinner for loading or unloading a truck, it can save you some serious grief later on. 

Avoid ill-advised behavior when moving for a smooth transition that won’t cause injury. 

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How to Lift Heavy Objects Correctly

One of the easiest ways to awaken an old injury is through improper lifting. This can mean lifting something too heavy, or simply standing wrong when grabbing onto something light. Whether it’s back pains from years ago, muscles that simply aren’t ready to work that hard, or a lack of knowledge that triggers something new, picking things up correctly can prevent them all. And considering the difference between poking a resting pain or letting it sit in peace, a little know-how is more than worth the effort. 

Before you hurt yourself on an impromptu favor, be sure to check out the ins and outs of picking things up. 

First, know your weight limit. 

Someone small shouldn’t attempt to haul heavy objects alone, no matter how often he or she works out. No amount of trying to impress others can undo a serious lifting injury, so be sure to evaluate just how much something weighs before attempting the lift – whether alone or with others’ help. 

Next, adopt the proper stance. This means feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and feet flat on the ground. As they say, you’ll use your legs, not the back to lift, so setting them up properly is key. 

Added tips: 

• • Keep the back flat
• • Put yourself as close to the object as possible
• • Tighten the abs for extra support
• • Grip the item (firmly) with your entire hands, not just your fingers or palms
• • When moving, keep your body straight. Don’t twist or bend, but move your feet and legs with the object.

Finally, make the lift and move accordingly. Use your entire leg power and push the weight down through your feet as you pick each item up. This tactic is great for building muscle strength, while preventing injury in the process. If needed, perform stretches (as many as needed) after the fact to prevent soreness. Stretching will also keep the body loose, better preparing it for its next lift.

Before picking up your next heavy object, remember to plan your way to proper lifting procedures. 

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How to Lift Properly

Proper Lifting Techniques 

Lifting objects improperly can cause a strain on the back, arms and legs. Using poor lifting techniques can not only lead to strains, it can also cause serious injuries. Use these techniques to avoid injury.

1.   Before you lift the object think about the object you are lifting. You should know how heavy the object. Knowing how heavy it is will help know how much lifting you need to do. It will also prevent you from making any weird and sudden movements. Know where you are taking the object. Your path should be clear of any obstacles.

2.   Lift the object close to your body. You should have a firm grasp of the object and it should be close to the body. Doing this will make your lifting more stable.

3.   Keep your feet shoulder width apart, doing so will keep you stable. If your feet are close together, you may become unstable and fall. Make sure to also take short steps while you walk with the object.

4.   Keep the back straight and bend at your knees. Just like you should know what you are lifting before you lift it, you should also practice the motion of lifting the object. Pretend you are lifting the object and concentrate on the motion you want to take before you actually do it.

5.   Always lift with your legs, there are a lot stronger then you think. While bending at the knees and keeping your back straight, lift the object.

6.   If you are one that needs to lift objects often, try using a back support. Doing so will help you keep your posture aligned.

Using these techniques can prevent you from straining yourself, but if the object is too heavy look for help. It is better to ask someone to help you then having to spend time in the emergency room. If you do use someone to help you lift the object, make sure you are both on the same page. Lift the object at the same time and in same way; decide the path you will take before you move the object.

Photo credit: DuBoix from morguefile.com

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