It’s that time of year again when we Midwesterners open windows and doors and work towards cleaning the dirt and debris tracking in from the winter and spring dethaw. Mud anyone? Cleaning needs to get done, but oftentimes the simplest chores can be a source of significant discomfort for someone dealing with chronic pain. Here are four tips and tricks that will help minimize the strain on your body but help you achieve that deep spring clean you so desire.
1. Embrace Minimalistic Styles
2. Use New Tools
3. Take Your Time
4. Ask for Help
1. Embrace Minimalistic Styles
Being Americans, and on top of a pandemic, our rooms are likely cluttered with new possessions, our closets stuffed with a variety of clothes (seasonal or excess) that we may or may not wear anymore. Perhaps your work has changed, and you no longer need a specific type of clothing. Take an inventory of your items and sell. Facebook Marketplace is a great free and easy way to advertise and sell unwanted items, you will be amazed at what people will pay for your unwanted items. Another option is to just donate what you no longer need there are many organizations that you can bring items to and many will pick up at your front door. By eliminating unused or unwanted items you will decrease the amount of clutter and make it that more efficient to clean.
2. Use New Tools
Robot vacuum, anyone? With a variety of robot vacuum cleaners on the market, they are more affordable than ever. Technology has greatly improved, allowing them to pick up dust, dirt and dander with more accuracy. They have better collision sensors and can seamlessly transition from carpets to bare floors. Some even wash floors for you! Read the reviews and spring for a robot vacuum and then relax and let the robot do the work for you!
Does bending over irritate your back, legs, or hip? Try a long-handled dustpan to go along with your broom and invest in a grabber tool to help pick things up. This is a low-cost option that will help reduce that strain.
3. Take Your Time
Taking on too much will exacerbate your chronic pain management problems. Tidy rooms in stages by setting a timer on your phone. Try it for 10-15 minutes and then take a break for 45 minutes and do it again, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish over this time and your body will thank you! Remember Rome wasn’t completed in one day and neither will your house cleaning!
4. Ask for Help
Splitting up tasks with family members or a roommate will make cleaning faster while decreasing your exertion. Create a chart of responsibilities and place it in a prominent location. If you have young children at home include them as well., There are plenty of cleaning activities that they can help with and they might be able to clean hard-to-reach areas! Assigning them chores also presents an excellent opportunity to teach them about responsibilities.
If there are other activities you can’t tackle this year, consider hiring help. Whether professional or the kid across the street, investing in a service for the season may cost less than you being out of work in the long term.
Chronic pain can sometimes become overwhelming. At iSpine Clinics, our goal is to make everyday life easier. Our chronic pain management providers create detailed treatment plans that are customized to the needs of our patients. To schedule a consultation, call (763) 201-8191.
Previously posted June 2020, updated April 2022