Mom’s work harder than pretty much anyone, and their backs often pay the price. This Mother’s Day, why not do something practical for her, which will help save her back throughout the year. Here are 5 things you can do for your Mom’s back this Mother’s Day:
-Invite your mom to pick a day, and help her organize her closet- putting the most frequently used items at non-bending, non-reaching height. Get her a back-of-the-door shoe bag (Target $9) to get her shoes off the floor so she won’t have to bend all the way to the floor first thing in the AM to get at them.
-If it is geographically possible, pick one day a week when you can take a good long walk with your Mom. As always, if you rest- you rust, so getting out there will help burn a few calories, mobilize your spine and other joints, and give you an opportunity to reconnect.
-If your Mom is like mine, her refrigerator is full of all kinds of stuff she doesn’t even remember is there- forcing her to stand hunched by the fridge door hunting for what she actually needs. Grab a bag and ditch everything in there that’s not been used in more than a while, anything you cannot identify, and anything you don’t anticipate using (The folks at IKEA had you pretty well convinced that lingonberry jam would become a part of your daily breakfast!) When the stuff you don’t want is gone, give some thought to organizing what you do want in ways that make sense, and minimize the deep bending.
-One of my favorite tips- one which I cannot stress enough: If your Mom carries a briefcase, handbag or purse, encourage her to take a moment and purge the contents of anything that she doesn’t absolutely need. My briefcase routinely accumulates so much extra junk- and that junk weighs a LOT. DECLUTTER!
-If the weather is good this Sunday, take a few minutes, and wash your Mom’s car. Honestly, when is the last time she did it?
My best wishes to all of the Moms out there- I hope you all have a fantastic Mother’s Day.
-Andy
To my beautiful wife, Donna- Happy Mother's Day!
