HEALTH AND HOUSEHOLD TASKS
In older age housework was really a nuisance and drudgery. For today’s house wife with all modern appliances this is a golden age. She has more time for her children, for her special interests, and for community activities.
Even today’s pampered housewife still has to expand physical efforts; however there are some short cuts for doing household tasks. If done correctly, however, those household tasks can benefit posture and appearance. And many hazards inherent in housework can be eliminated with care and planning.
Posture and other Housework Aids
Studies have been made proving that much housework can be turned into beneficial exercise and can improve posture. Poor posture causes most of the small nuisance ailments, -the strains and injuries and aches and pains-that are common to many housewives. Many of these nuisances can be avoided by making sure that equipment such as tables, gas-stoves, and sinks, are of the proper height. When work surfaces, such as counters, sinks, baby bathtubs,and ironing boards are too low for the housewife/worker, proper posture cannot be maintained.
Good posture helps to assure the proper use of the muscles. When posture is correct, the bony framework supports the weight of the body without strain on the muscles and ligaments.
In correct standing, the body should be aligned so that centre of the hips, of the trunk, at the shoulders, and of the head are in a direct line over the centre of the arches,the weight-bearing part of the feet.
In sitting where the base of support is the chair rather than the floor, the head and trunk should be aliened with the flex or bend at the waistline.
Fatigue can result from poor posture or continued stooping over an improperly adjusted work surface level. Proper surfaceheight of the workplace prevents fatiguing and straining the back. When sitting or lifting, the back should be held straight and abdomen should be held in.
When lifting an object, bend from the knees rather then from the waist and use the leg muscles. Proper stance is also important. When doing dishes, weight should be evenly distributed on both feet, and the toes turned slightly in. While sweeping, place one feet, and the toes turned slightly in. while sweeping, place one foot forward when reaching out to get under a piece of furniture. Sudden twisting or other movements should be avoided.
Utensils should be kept in easily accessible locations. There are utility poles on which pots and pans can be hung and key boards on which canopeners, ladles, spatulas and other such utensils can be attached. Use of time aids housework will obviate many unnecessary motions and save time.
While performing certain household tasks the design and facilities should be of that type that allows the change of body position. Changes from sitting work to standing work and changes of tempo and type of work together with interspersed rest pauses help to improve working efficiency.
Using the correct tool can also help to maintain good posture and efficient methods of work. Long-handled equipment can be chosen to avoid bending one’s back. Some housecleaning tools have the controls high on the handles so that the homemaker does not have to stop to start and stop the equipment.
Human dimensions help to determine the form and size of equipment, the location of controls, and space requirements in a work centre.
Tools should be as simple as possible and of proper size and have handles that meet the normal grasp limitations of the human hand. Control levers of equipment should be placed conveniently between elbow and shoulder height.
Since 80 to 90 per cent of all housework is done standing, proper care of the feet is imperative. It may seem economical to wear old shoes with runover heels to do house work. Rubber gloves can be used to protect hands, and commercial creams can alleviate dryness caused by cleaning products.
Break monotony
Almost every homemaker at sometime becomes overtired by ubdertaking jobs which are too much for her or cannot be done properly in the time she has alloted. Homemaker can seek help of male members while doing heavy work at home as they are better equipped for doing heavy tasks.
Work should be planned properly so it can be done well without causing undue fatigue. Overfatigue actually lessens efficiency and can be depressing, as can working too long alone in the house. Try to prevent monotony and boredom by playing the records,radio or any music system while working and take a day off once in a while to enjoy visiting a friend, doing the noble cause of social work by supporting the needy persons, window shopping. Every women should vary her routine and make a point of taking a rest with her feet up at lest once or twice a day.
