outdoors
IN T H E G A R D EN
Skin
Saving
The same sunlight that
nourishes your azaleas
has the opposite effect
on your skin. “Even
when gardening on a
cloudy day, you’re
exposed to the sun’s
rays,” says Dr. David
Schlessinger, medical
director of Schlessinger
Eye & Face clinic in
Woodbury, New York.
“You may not think it’s
like tanning at the
beach, but enough
ultraviolet rays reach
you that it could
increase your risk of
skin cancer”
Overexposure
to ultraviolet
rays can cause
wrinkling,
premature
aging, and
worse, skin
cancer-more
than
1
million
new cases a
year in the
United States.
G O H IG H Buy sunscreens
that have a minimum SPF
of
3 0
and shield against
both UVA and UVB rays.
A P P L Y EA R LY You need
to apply sunscreen a full
half hour before stepping
outside to let it bond to
your skin for full effect.
S P R E A D L O TS Cover
yourself with a full
ounce— about a shot
glass full of sunscreen.
D O N ’T M IS S Smear
sunscreen on places that
are com m only missed,
such as tops of ears,
forehead, nose, and tops
of the feet and toes if
yo u’re weari ng sandals.
R E P E A T Reapply
sunscreen every two
hours to ensure you’re
still protected.
D R E S S U P W ear a wide-
brim med hat and a long-
sleeve shirt with sun
protection built in.
G A R D E N EA R LY O R
LA TE W hen possible,
avoid outdoor chores
between
11
a.m. and
4
p.m., when the sun is at
its brightest.
Ergonomic
Tools
Reduce sore muscles
with tools that make
repetitive tasks easier.
At least once a year,
condition wooden tool
handles with tung
oil to reduce
splinters.
P L A N T IN G A U G E R
No need to bend over
when digging a
planting hole. $
20
,
Hound-dog.com
E R G O N O M IC
P R U N E R S Handles
rotate as you cut to
reduce stress. $
30
,
fiskars.com
BHG
Warming Up Muscles
Your muscles have a message for you: “W ith all
the bending, stooping, and repetitive motions,
gardening is an intense, w hole-body activity,” says
Sabrena Merrill, an Am erican Council on Exercise-
certified personal trainer based in Lawrence,
Kansas. This is especially true in the spring when
you haven’t used those muscles in a while. Warm
muscles are less likely to get injured or be sore
the next day. Here are a few easy movements to
do before heading out into the yard.
Upper body
A R M C IR C L E S
Hold your arms straight out to
your sides,
far left.
Make
6
-inch
circles in a backward motion,
which warms lifting and digging
muscles. Do
15
repetitions.
H O E S T R E T C H Place a hand on
the hoe,
left,
elbow bent
9 0
degrees. Rotate away from the
hoe slowly, feeling the stretch
across your chest. Hold about
15
seconds. Repeat on other side.
96 MAY 2009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
