July 13, 2008: SUMMER SAFETY: Exercise by the Yard

Just 30 minutes a day of physical activity helps keep you healthy. That includes gardening, which can give you a cardiovascular workout and strengthen your bones and muscles. Digging, laying sod, raking, and using a push mower can burn more energy than brisk walking. Here’s how to get more out of gardening: ¨ Space out your yard work rather than doing it in seasonal marathons. ¨ Allow at least a half an hour for each workout. ¨ Use an old-fashioned manual mower. It’s environmentally friendly and burns lots of calories. ¨ Use a rake, not a power leaf blower. You’ll get a good upper-body workout and won’t deafen yourself and your neighbors. ¨ Change positions and tools often when planting and weeding. ¨ Take breaks for other kinds of exercise. Think of yard work and gardening as cross-training – part of an exercise program, but not all of it.

- taken from UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, July 2008; provided by Olmsted County Public Health Services

July 6, 2008: SUMMER SAFETY: The Buzz on Mosquitoes

            Mosquito season is here again.  To avoid getting bitten, wear long sleeves and pants (preferably loose-fitting) as well as socks.  When mosquitoes are out, use a repellent containing DEET.  Citronella candles probably offer no more protection than any candle smoke.  Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so remove anything in your yard that can collect water, such as hollow logs, empty flower pots, and pet dishes.  Clean out clogged rain gutters.  To treat an itchy bite, apply ice and try not to scratch.  Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream may also help.

- taken from UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, July 2008; provided by Olmsted County Public Health Services