How to Use Your Body to Prevent Injuries on Moving Day
Those who have moved before, probably understand just how much squatting, lifting, pulling and pushing is involved. Any person who has tried to squeeze their couch or kitchen appliance through the front door, also likely knows how frustrating things can get. Your physical, mental and perhaps even emotional energy can become drained during a move. This may be especially true for those who are moving far away from friends and family for the very first time.
It can put a real damper on this big life transition if you get injured on moving day. So, here we have listed ways you should move your body when heaving and hauling, to help lessen your chances of suffering an injury.
Proper Body Mechanics
The majority of people have heard at one point or another the importance of lifting with their legs and not their back. We have heard this saying so many times, that it may just go in one ear and out the other eventually. That is, until we ourselves become seriously hurt due to forgetting to follow this very common rule. Here we have listed how to use your body safely, by abiding proper body mechanics:
- Carry items closer to your center (not too low or above your head), with your back straight at all times.
- When picking up items, use the muscles in your legs and arms, not your lower or upper back.
- Do not rush, take your time and always walk slowly.
- Stretch before and after you carry something of substantial weight.
- Listen to your body if it tells you an item is too heavy.
- If for any reason you do feel any aches or shooting pain, stop right away.
Other Moving Tips
In addition to properly utilizing your body during the move, there are other tips to consider as well. If you have friends or family assisting you on the moving day, you may want to talk to them about how to make things safer for themselves too:
- Buy moving gloves for extra grip on slippery cardboard boxes and other slick household items.
- Spend some time before the move day to clear common walkways and paths, so people can carry boxes out without the risk of tripping.
- Reinforce boxes that are damaged through strong packaging tape, to help prevent things from falling through the bottom.
- Stay hydrated, well-rested, take breaks and have snacks ready to keep your energy level up.
The Handy Backup Plan
There is a potential backup plan in the event you just do not want to do the lifting and carrying of your belongings this time around. You can consider hiring one of the long distance moving companies to do all of the packaging, wrapping, maneuvering and strategizing instead. Hiring professionals can provide profound relief for you and the loved ones who typically help you move. Of course, moving companies are not free. However, it can be even more costly to risk an injury if you don’t have the zest or time to complete this huge task yourself.
