On Purses, Backaches And Heavy Lifting! ~Giveaway

  I’ve just returned from a glorious week away in Florida.  Four days at DisneyWorld has left me with with a smile on my face and some very special memories.  According to my handy dandy step counter I walked about 35 miles in four days? Wow!  My legs are not happy about it, but worse than that, my back is screaming at me.  I made a rookie mistake.  On day one, as I trotted through the glorious Magic Kingdom, I took my oversized purse and stuffed it as full as I could.  It was jammed with snacks, band-aids, gum, a bottle of water and yes, my oversized camera.  You know, to get the “perfect” Disney shot.  I may have gotten the shot I wanted, but I also ended up with a backache that lasted for days.  I should have known better, I’ve been here before. Like most women, I’m guilty of running from the home office, to lunch dates, to parent-teacher conferences, to cocktails with friends with just one bag in tow.  While it might be practical to pack the entire world in that one purse, it can come at a cost.  A pain in the back!  As it turns out I’m not the only Mama guilty of this crime:  Researcher Kelly Styring found that, on average, women carry 67 items in their handbags, making it a financial centre, medicine cabinet, cosmetics counter and keepsake box at once!  Sound familiar?  Many of Ontario’s women have to not just carry their heavy handbags throughout the day but also lug it along for an average commute time of 53 minutes!  That’s a long time to be lugging around an oversized handbag.  As it turns out, it’s too long. According to the Ontario Chiropractic Association, a heavy bag carried on one shoulder forces the muscle and spine to compensate for the uneven weight, and places unnecessary strain on the body.  Here’s what happens to us:

• A heavy load that is unevenly or improperly distributed can cause muscle strain, headaches, back, neck and arm pain — even nerve damage.
• Overstuffed bags can also cause poor posture by encouraging the carrier to lean to one side. These problems could become chronic and impact quality of life.

According to Health Canada, 85 per cent of Canadians will suffer from back pain in their working lifetime.  Thankfully the Ontario’s Chiropractors have some simple strategies to help you avoid those unwanted aches and pains from your purse:

• Purse choice is key! Pick a purse that is proportionate to your body size and one that has multiple pockets to better distribute the weight of contents and keep them from shifting.
• When possible, shoulder straps should be wide, adjustable and padded. Poorly designed shoulder straps can dig deep into the muscles and put strain on the nerves.
• Choosing a bag that has both short handles and a long strap can also provide different options on how to carry it, giving your back a break.
• To inform and educate your readers on the importance of maintaining back health and understanding the role that chiropractors can play in doing so (as well as including stats / facts supplied by the Ontario Chiropractic Association)
• If you don’t need it, leave it! Making sure you’re not constantly carrying around any unnecessary keys or other items will also help reduce the weight of your bag.
• Pack the heaviest items at the bottom of the bag.
• It is also wise to change the size and weight of your wallet once in a while. You may consider one wallet for your work and a different one for when you’re out on the town, as you generally need different items for both.
• It may feel odd, but try not to carry your bag on the same shoulder every time. Switch sides often so each shoulder gets a rest and avoid lifting the shoulder carrying the bag. It is also important to remember to use both hands to check the weight of the handbag and square your shoulders (many women have a habit of lifting the shoulder on which the purse is carried to keep the straps from slipping!)
• If possible, wear the strap across your chest to distribute weight evenly across the back.
• Try to maintain good posture. When standing, your head, shoulders, hips and ankles should line-up, one comfortably above the other.
• During the day, if you can walk to lunch or a meeting, lock your purse in your desk or locker and carry only your cash and cards in a pocket. This small change ensures you are giving your body regular breaks throughout the day.
• If it’s heavy luggage that’s hurting your back, look for a sturdy, light, high-quality and transportable piece. Always remember to avoid purchasing luggage that is too heavy or bulky when empty. Choosing a bag with wheels and a handle can go a long way to lighten your load!
•  When packing for your exciting getaway, remember less is more because the heavier the luggage, the more susceptible a traveler is to neck, back and shoulder injuries.

Regardless of the size and weight of your purse, ensuring you’re maintaining your back health will help you avoid injury if your spine is under stress. Also remember that exercising regularly can help strengthen your core stomach and back muscles, providing your spine more stability.  Even if your exercise is minimal, it’s important to stretch before and after carrying heavy loads. For more information on bones, muscles, joints and the central nervous system, and as a resource to find a local chiropractor if needed visit www.chiropractic.on.ca.

So take heed of the advice offered up by the Ontario Chiropractic Association and then jump in and enter to win this lovely giveaway! One lucky reader of How To Survive Life in the Suburbs will win a fabulous prize package which includes: · A black Hynes shoulder handbag · A Healtheveryday® portable purse organizer · A card organizer · A foldable “purse hook”, so your bag never has to be set on the ground. Please enter using the Rafflecopter form provided. Contest is open to Canada only and closes June 3, 2016.