Wellness in the Garden: How to Protect Your Skin and Joints

Wellness in the Garden: How to Protect Your Skin and Joints

Wellness in the Garden: How to Protect Your Skin and Joints

It's essential to take extra care of your skin and joints no matter the environment or the activity. Gardening can be a great way to stay active and fit, but it can also put a lot of strain on the body. That's why it's important to take steps to protect your skin and joints when out in the garden. In this article, we'll cover some tips and tricks that can help you stay safe and enjoy your time in the garden without putting too much strain on your body.

Why Skin Protection Matters

Skin changes with age, becoming thinner and more fragile. Unprotected exposure to the sun, wind and other environmental elements can cause additional damage beyond wrinkles and age spots—it can even lead to skin cancer. To ensure that your skin remains healthy while gardening, it's important to take some basic precautions. This can include wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen and making sure to stay hydrated. Additionally, frequent breaks can help prevent overexposure to the elements.

Father and son gardening together.

Wear Protective Clothing

Taking care of your skin is essential for maintaining a healthy and glowing complexion. Covering up is one of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays; opt for long sleeves and pants made from breathable fabrics. To take it one step further, a UPF 50+ hat, like our Farmers Defense Sun Hats will provide additional coverage for your face and neck.

A young girl wearing a floppy sun hat.

Use Sunscreen

Sunscreen is an important part of any skin protection routine, especially when you spend a lot of time outdoors. I recommend looking for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and reapplying it every two hours. Wearing protective clothing is a great way to reduce sun exposure, but it's not enough to protect your skin completely. Sunscreen is essential for keeping your skin healthy and free of sun damage, so make sure to use it whenever you're heading out into the sun.

Protecting Your Joints

Gardening can be tough on your joints, especially if you have arthritis or other conditions that affect your mobility. To help you keep enjoying your time in the garden without straining your joints, here are some tips I've found useful.

Someone with joint pain in the hand and wrist.

Here are five simple steps you can take to stay safe and comfortable in the garden:

  1. Wear proper clothing and footwear to protect your joints from any strain. Make sure you wear closed-toe shoes and long pants to protect your ankles and knees.
  2. Use the right tools for the job. Invest in some good quality garden tools that will make it easier to do the job without straining your joints. Consider using tools with longer handles, as they help you maintain a good posture while working.
  3. Take regular breaks and stretch your muscles. Working in the garden can be taxing on your joints, so it's important to give your body a break. Take a few moments to stretch your arms, legs, and torso to prevent any joint pain and stiffness.
  4. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Gardening can be tough, so don't be afraid to ask for help from family and friends. This way, you'll be able to keep enjoying your time in the garden without overworking your joints.

Using Farmers Defense Protective Sleeves

UPF protective sleeves are a game changer in the garden.

When working on a project outdoors or in the garden, long-sleeved shirts may effectively protect the skin from the sun, but they often leave us a little hot and sweaty. For this reason, arm sleeves are advantageous.

A denser, tighter fabric constructed from a polyester and nylon blend with moisture-wicking qualities, offering breathability works best. These materials stay dry and cool and typically protect sensitive and thin skin from scratches and sun exposure.

The best part about using arm sleeves with UPF protection is that there's no need to apply and reapply SPF sunscreen to the covered skin.

And when it comes to joint comfort, the insulated, yet breathable quality of the sleeves is unbeatable—they adjust to your body temperature to keep you comfortable, no matter the climate. This is especially beneficial for those who suffer from arthritis and its aching bones. With the sleeves, you'll be able to feel the protection and comfort that comes with it.

Our Farming Sleeves are the perfect combination of fashion and functionality. They cover all the way from the deltoids to the knuckles, offering optimal protection. Not to mention they come in so many styles and color choices.

Gardener in the field wearing sleeves.

Further Measures

Where sleeves and hats don't go all the way. We've taken measures a step further and created Farmers Defense Rugged Guard GlovesCrafted with the gardener's needs in mind, these gloves are not just a protective gear but a testament to our commitment towards a sustainable future. Made from REPREVE recycled fabric and real leather, these gloves are built for any tough job in the garden. 

Common Questions and Answers

Q: How can I take care of my skin while gardening?

A: To ensure that your skin remains healthy while gardening, it's important to take some basic precautions. This can include wearing a wide-brimmed hat and UPF protective clothing and making sure to stay hydrated. Additionally, frequent breaks can help prevent overexposure to the elements.

Q: What kind of clothing should I wear while gardening?

A: Taking care of your skin is essential for maintaining a healthy and glowing complexion. Covering up is one of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays; opt for long sleeves and pants made from breathable fabrics that are UPF protective. To take it one step further, a wide-brimmed hat, such as a straw hat, will provide additional coverage for your face and neck.

Q: How can I protect my joints while gardening?

A: To help you keep enjoying your time in the garden without straining your joints, here are some tips: Wear proper clothing and footwear to protect your joints from any strain. Make sure you wear closed-toe shoes and long pants to protect your ankles and knees. Use the right tools for the job. Invest in some good quality garden tools that will make it easier to do the job without straining your joints. Consider using tools with longer handles, as they help you maintain a good posture while working. Take regular breaks and stretch your muscles. Working in the garden can be taxing on your joints, so it's important to give your body a break. Take a few moments to stretch your arms, legs, and torso to prevent any joint pain and stiffness.

Enjoy Gardening for Years to Come

With these tips and tricks, you can enjoy gardening for years to come without putting unnecessary strain on your skin and joints. Remember to take care of yourself, protect your skin, and use the right tools to reduce strain on your joints.