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Old man Winter is quickly approaching and with it he will bring the stress of snow. It will coat the streets and yards providing a spectacular view and delight the children, but it will also bring aching backs, sore legs and angry shoulders for those who do not know how to shovel properly. For most residents, the season will begin by pulling out the old trusty shovel to keep those driveways clear and if you are not careful, that shovel could become the dreaded foe by the time the last snow falls.Never heard of this before? Get up to speed here. Knowing how to shovel the right way will make the task easier and decrease the risk of injury during the long season ahead.

To lighten the load, start with your shovel. It should be a lightweight shovel, most likely made of plastic, that has a smaller blade. Having a smaller blade will allow you to handle a smaller amount of snow and decrease the strain on your body. A curved handle or ergonomically correct handle will also make your job more manageable. Most home improvement stores will offer a good snow shovel with these features.

Now it is time to dress warm, do some stretching and prepare to find your driveway. Standing straight with feet shoulder-width apart is the best position to start shoveling. Maintaining good posture should allow you to keep the shovel close to your body and push the snow rather than lift it. If lifting of snow is required, bend at the knees and use your leg and stomach muscles to pitch the snow instead of leaning over with your back. Do not get caught in the habit of throwing it over your shoulder as this will only increase the chance of injury. It is also better to shovel fresh snow as it is lighter for shoveling.

While you cannot avoid the snow that comes with winter, using these tips should help keep you injury free throughout the snow season. Remember to pace yourself and take frequent breaks. Snow shoveling is no easy task but doing it the right way will have you shoveling smarter not harder.