I am sensitive to snow shoveling in Boulder. My Grandmother taught that if you did not have a strong brain you’d better have strong legs. I have weak thighs!  I have to rely upon my brain. Some think that presents me with a huge hurdle.  I have experienced some rather dramatic health challenges, and at 72 I have to treat myself as being a person at higher risk for a cardio-vascular event.

orange heart decor

So for me, snow shoveling presents several hazards. First, at 72 with health issues, shoveling can be dangerous (not difficult, just dangerous) in several ways. Obviously, snow varies. It can be dry powder which weighs almost nothing, or it can be heavy slushy Yuch! which is for the truly healthy and strong amongst us.  If you are lucky enough to have a snow blower, skip down to the bottom. If the snow is light and not deep, the suggestions in this blog are probably not necessary.

  1. Exertion in frigid cold puts an added load on the heart
  2. The body mechanics of shoveling result in the act of shoveling forcing the lungs to be compressed. That reduces the efficiency of the lung function and provides less oxygen when it is most needed.
  3. The science is clear. Older people drop dead from heart attacks as a result of shoveling snow. The risk is far elevated compared to other cardiac risks. Like it or not, agree or not, the simple fact is well established; shoveling snow is hard on the heart, and is harder than many other activities. I had no choice but to research this, at my sister’s insistence. I knew I would prove her to be over-reacting in telling me I could not shovel snow. Oh well. Wrong again. It is not a close call.

    Scott Dygulski shovels snow in Boulder, Colo., Monday, Dec. 29, 2014. Colorado just got a wave of snow,  (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

  4. Some shoveling dangers are more removed from the shoveling issues. Avoiding falling down or slipping is critical. Avoiding skin and other damage from exposure to cold is on the “important items” list.
  5. TRICK!!! Get silicone spray at the hardware store. Spray the blade of the shovel as you would spray a lawn mower blade or other garden tool blade. This allows the shovel to slide more easily into the targeted snow.spray, spray can, sprayer
  6. BASICS!!! Life with your legs, not with your back.
  7. Pay attention to your body. If you start feeling light-headed, stop, go inside, warm up and rest before deciding if more shoveling is in your immediate future.
  8. I have previously suggested 45 years old as a good cut-off age for shoveling snow. I would like to qualify that. IF someone is generally healthy, aside from the dangers and challenges inherent in shoveling snow, 45 years old is VERY conservative, and 50-55 might be a more reasonable number.
  9. The issues with shoveling snow are not the same as issues presented by other forms of physical house maintenance.  What separates show shoveling from other physical activity
    1. the outside low temperature impacts breathing
    2. the physical motion being inefficient, lung-compressing, and hard on the lower back
    3. exposure to the cold on skin and body AND EYES!
    4. snow shovel designs vary, with some being far more ergonomically designed. That makes the job easier and safer.
    5. MOST IMPORTANT! Keep your ears warm by wearing Bluetooth headphones. This keeps your ears warm while playing your favorite snow shoveling music.
  1. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” by Dean Martin – The irony of shoveling snow while listening to this classic winter song can be quite amusing.
  2. “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice – A playful nod to the cold and icy conditions you’re dealing with.
  3. “Cold as Ice” by Foreigner – Another fitting song for the chilly task at hand.
  4. “Hazy Shade of Winter” by Simon & Garfunkel – A song that captures the essence of the winter season.
  5. “Winter Wonderland” by Bing Crosby – Shoveling might not feel so much like a wonderland, but this song could add a humorous contrast to your task.
  6. “Snow (Hey Oh)” by Red Hot Chili Peppers – An upbeat tune to keep your energy up while you work.
  7. “Frosty the Snowman” by Gene Autry – A light-hearted song that might make the snow feel a little less daunting.
  8. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” by Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé – A fun duet to sing along to, especially if you’re shoveling with someone else.
  9. “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” by Bing Crosby – Ironic if you’re shoveling snow and wishing for less of it.
  10. “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” from Disney’s Frozen – Especially humorous if you’re feeling less than enthusiastic about the snow.MUSIC is good for about everything. Since you’re wearing your Bluetooth headphones, and since you have a sense of humor, here are suggestions for a “snow shoveling tape.”Listening to music while shoveling snow can certainly make the task more enjoyable, and choosing songs with a humorous or ironic twist can add an extra layer of fun. Here are some song suggestions that might bring a smile to your face while you’re clearing the snow If you do not find it necessary to stick to known favorites, here are some slightly farther out “Sing While You Shovel” songs. Consider that singing while you shovel or while you walk or ride your bike adds to the aerobics and also is great for breath control. The louder you sing, the better.

SO for the special song list:

“Snow Me The Way to Go Home” Bill Bailey

“I Want To Hold Your Mitten” by The Beatles

“April Shovels Bring May Showers”

“To Snow, Snow, Snow You, Is To Love, Love, Love You.”

“I’m Singin’ In The Snow, Just Singin’ In The Show”

Remember, shoveling snow can be physically demanding, so it’s important to take breaks and stay hydrated. Happy shoveling!

SNOW BLOWER TIP! Make sure that the tires are equally inflated. Otherwise the snowblower will pull to the side. It ends up taking more energy trying to keep the machine going straight than it takes to do the entire rest of the task.

 

Leonard Frieling
  • Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
  • Former Judge
  • Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
  • First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
  • Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
  • Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
  • NORML Distinguished Counsel Circle
  • Life Member, NORML Legal Committee
  • Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
  • Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML
  • Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
  • Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
  • Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
  • LEAP Speaker, multi-published author, University lectures Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels.
  • http://www.Lfrieling.com
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