Depending upon where you live in America, you are still in the throes of winter and eager to meet Spring as it is just around the corner. I spent most of my life in the Arizona desert and Spring usually consisted of about 3 weeks you could open up the windows and air out the house before it got too hot. Further north in the state where family lived in the mountains, they were often still under a blanket of snow, which they are as I write (Payson, Arizona just got 17 inches of snow and Flagstaff received 36 inches of the white stuff). I have family in the Payson area and they are more than ready for Spring.

I currently live in Northern Kentucky, about 25 minutes south of Cincinnati Ohio. We average 6.5 inches of snow in February and another 3 inches in early March, and although we haven’t had as much snow as usual, I am still anxiously waiting for Spring.

Many Americans, especially seniors, have spent most of the past few months cooped up indoors most of the time. It’s not fun taking walks wearing the heavy coats and many layers of clothing. For many seniors, like myself, you also can’t do much yard work or gardening until Spring arrives. (I don’t have a big yard, but I do have a number of raised vegetable beds. I love to garden and it’s one of the few activities I can do and enjoy. Last year, I harvested 360 pounds of purple beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, Yukon gold potatoes, grapes, onions and radishes, and am hoping to build a couple more raised beds this year.) I can’t build them and get them ready to plant until Spring is here.

My experience over the years is that many other seniors love to garden (flowers and veggies) as it gives them something to do. Others are anxious to get and start walking and do other activities.

But, while so many of us are chomping at the bit for Spring to arrive, I need to issue a warning.

Sometimes, the change from winter to Spring can be as little as 1 or 2 days and when the sun comes out, temperature warms, seniors burst through their doors with months of pent up energy, excitement and exuberation.

However, that exuberation can get them in trouble or should I say, injured and back to being confined indoors for several more weeks.

Here are some tips to help prevent many of the common early Spring issues that plague so many seniors:

1- Make sure you are still dressed appropriately. Although the weather is warming, some older folks could still get chilled in the early morning or evening Spring air. Dress in layers that can be shed as the temperature warms up and then replace as it cools down. Check your local weather forecast helps.

2- Take time to make a list or plan of your outdoor activities. If a gardener, realize you can’t prep and plant everything on the first day. Lay out your gardens on a piece of paper. Check when best to plant what as many plants have different recommended planting times. Then detail out what each plant or bed needs before planting. If walking, jogging or cycling, make sure someone knows where you are going.

3- Pace yourself. At the beginning, limit how long you are active or outside working or exercising. Perhaps start out with half an hour to an hour a day for several days and then steadily increase how long as you acclimate to the activity.

4 – STRETCH. Regardless of what kind of physical activity – walking, cycling, gardening, yard work or exercising, take some time to stretch your muscles first. This will help avoid many pulled and strained muscles and even help prevent torn tendons and muscles.

5 – Keep Hydrated – Any physical activity requires more water. Make sure you drink plenty of water. Not coffee, tea, juice or beer – WATER.

The better informed and prepared you are, the safer you will be and I hope you enjoy Spring, when it arrives, as much as I intend to.