12 Ways To Make Shoveling Snow Easier This Winter
Watching snow fall from inside your cozy home through a window is one of the most beautiful sights of winter. A blanket of fresh snow makes a neighborhood look fresh, clean, and full of winter cheer. This joyous feeling is usually short-lived, however, because snow also means you need to shovel. Shoveling your driveway and sidewalks might be mandatory, but it doesn’t have to be backbreaking work.
If you want to make shoveling less difficult this year, make sure you dress appropriately, wearing easy-to-remove layers and waterproof, non-slip shoes. Take plenty of breaks to recharge and hydrate, and don’t forget to stretch before shoveling. Use a quality shovel, and remember to push snow rather than lift it. Always shovel before moving your car out of the driveway, and salt your driveway before a big storm.
If you dread having to shovel each winter, then there’s a good chance you are working harder than you have to. Shoveling is a physical activity, but there are many ways to make it less painful on your body. If you live somewhere where shoveling is a part of life each winter, make sure you keep reading to uncover the top ways to make shoveling snow easier for you this winter.
12 Ways To Make Shoveling Snow Easier
1. Dress In Layers So You Aren’t Cold Or Hot
One of the easiest ways to make shoveling less difficult and uncomfortable is to dress appropriately. It isn’t easy to dress for shoveling. After all, you need to consider the cold temperatures, wet ground, often harsh winds, and lastly your warm body.
When you first step outside to shovel, you will be freezing, but within five minutes of shoveling, your body will heat up. Make sure you wear plenty of layers, including multiple insulating layers that you can remove, and a waterproof outer layer that you always keep on. This will keep you comfortable and also prevent you from sweating too much, and in turn dehydrating unnecessarily.
2. Use A Shovel With A Good Bend So You Don’t Have To
If you want to make shoveling less painful and hard on your body, then you need to buy the right shovel. Shoveling can take a toll on your back, especially if you don’t have a good shovel. If a snow blower is too expensive, then make sure you find the right-sized shovel with a good bend in the handle.
Finding a shovel that is at a comfortable height will mean you don’t need to bend your back as much. This will make shoveling more pleasant and will allow you to use your strong muscle groups to push snow more easily.
3. Ensure Your Shovel Works Well For Your Snow Conditions
It’s always a good idea to have more than one shovel, especially if you live somewhere with long snowy winters. The Inuit have dozens of words for snow, and this is because there are all types of snow.
Some shovels are better for wet and heavy slush, while others work better to scoop and push several inches of light powdery snow. Having multiple shovels allows you to be equipped with the best tools for each unpredictable storm.
4. Don’t Shovel Into The Wind
Snow storms don’t just bring snow, they almost always bring wind as well. Sometimes this wind can be gusty and even painful. When shoveling, you should shovel away from the wind. This means walking towards the wind to start and then shoveling with the wind at your back. Shoveling in this direction will cause less pain on any exposed skin, and it will also send snow in its desired direction, rather than into your face.
5. Shovel Driveway Before You Drive On It
If you have ever shoveled on snow that has been compacted by car tires, you know it can make your shoveling experience significantly longer and more challenging. Compacted snow can stick to the ground, and turn almost instantly to ice. It sometimes needs to be chiseled off the snowy driveway.
To avoid this irritating and labor-intensive process, always aim to shovel your driveway before moving your car. Shovel as close to the tires as you can, as this will ensure there is minimal compacted snow on your driveway.
6. Try Not To Shovel The Same Snow Twice
Another problem with snow storms is they can linger for a long time, and the wind can blow snow wherever it wants. Sometimes this means the snow you shoveled once gets blown back onto your sidewalk or into your driveway.
It also can mean a snow plow can block your driveway right after you shovel it. Timing is critical when shoveling, especially after a big storm. Try to wait until the snow has stopped, the winds have died down a bit, and the snow plows have made at least one pass down your street.
7. Wear Anti-Slip And Waterproof Footwear
In addition to dressing in layers, it’s also crucial to think about your footwear. Always wear waterproof boots. Snow can quickly melt and cause your feet to become soaking wet. This can cause discomfort and is also an easy way to get yourself sick.
Make sure your boots are waterproof and anti-slip. It is very easy to slip and fall in the snow. You must do all you can to prevent injury when shoveling, and wearing the correct footwear is a great way to stay safe.
8. Stretch Before You Shovel
Another way to stay safe when shoveling and to make the entire shoveling process easier on your body is to stretch before you shovel. Before you get all layered up, take a few minutes to do ample lower and upper body stretches.
Once you have all your layers on, it is hard to bend and stretch, so make sure the stretching is done before you go outside. A few minutes of targeted stretching will make your body feel great and will prevent pulled and strained muscles that can occur when shoveling after a storm.
9. Take Plenty Of Breaks To Hydrate And Recuperate
When it’s cold outside, it’s easy to forget to drink water, but you must stay hydrated when shoveling. Make sure you drink plenty of liquid before you shovel. Any time you feel fatigued, take a short break and drink fluids. A thermos with warm herbal tea is a great way to hydrate and warm your body at the same time.
10. Salt Your Driveway And Sidewalk Before It Starts Snowing
Salting your driveway and sidewalks is a great way to reduce the amount of snow you need to shovel, especially if the snowfall is minimal. Salt melts snow, so sprinkling pavement salt or ice melt where you normally shovel will melt a decent amount of snow.
If, however, you are expecting a large and cold storm, this may not be effective, as the snow will quickly accumulate over the salt.
11. Keep Your Arms Close To Your Body When Shoveling
To make shoveling snow easier, focus on your technique. One easy way to improve your technique and make shoveling easy on your body is to keep your arms close to your body.
Doing this prevents you from over-exerting your upper body. Instead, it encourages you to use your lower body and your core, which tend to be much stronger than your upper body.
12. Try Pushing Snow (With Legs) Rather Than Lifting It
Another important snow shoveling tip to make your life easier is to push the snow with your legs as much as possible, and lift snow with your arms and back as little as possible. You can push lots of snow and use the force of your body to propel the shovel forward.
You can quickly cover a lot of ground this way, especially if there is less than six inches of snow. If you are constantly scooping and lifting snow, your back and arms will tire out quickly, and you will make an uncomfortable twisting motion, which can cause discomfort.
Summing Up The Top Ways To Make Shoveling Easier
Shoveling might not be everyone’s favorite winter activity, but that doesn’t mean it has to be painful or unbearable. Using proper shoveling technique but keeping your arms close to your body and pushing snow rather than lifting it will make things easier. Dressing in layers and wearing waterproof and slip-proof boots will keep you comfortable and safe. Remember to take breaks to hydrate, and always stretch before heading outside to shovel.
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Tom Gaffey is an expert writer who currently resides in Washington D.C. Tom has a passion for real estate and home improvement writing, as well as travel and lifestyle writing. He lived the last twelve years in Hawaii where he worked closely with luxury resorts and event planners, mastering his knowledge of aesthetics and luxury products. This is where he found his passion for home improvement and a keen interest in DIY projects. Currently, Tom resides in Washington D.C, and also working on his debut fiction novel.
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