How Many Calories Does Sweeping Burn?

 

How Many Calories Does Sweeping Burn?

Sweeping may seem like a simple household chore, but it can also serve as a light form of physical activity. The number of calories you burn while sweeping depends on several factors, including your body weight, how vigorously you sweep, and how long you do it.

Average Calories Burned Sweeping

On average, a person weighing around 150 pounds (68 kg) can burn approximately 100 to 150 calories per hour while sweeping. Heavier individuals may burn more due to the increased energy required to move a larger body mass.

Though it's not as calorie-intensive as exercises like running or swimming, sweeping can still contribute to your daily calorie burn—especially if you add some intensity to the task.

How to Turn Sweeping Into a Workout

If you're looking to make the most out of your sweeping session, here are some effective ways to boost your calorie burn:

1. Pick Up the Pace

Sweep faster and with more energy. Moving briskly raises your heart rate and makes the activity more aerobic.

2. Engage Your Core

Tighten your abdominal muscles while sweeping to improve posture and give your core a gentle workout.

3. Add Lunges or Squats

Incorporate lunges or squats as you move around. This helps engage your legs and turns the routine into a full-body exercise.

4. Use Full Arm Movements

Extend your arms fully with each sweeping motion. This activates your shoulders and upper arms, helping tone your upper body.

5. Try Interval Sweeping

Alternate between fast and slow sweeping for a simple interval workout. This variation boosts calorie burn and keeps your body guessing.

6. Wear Ankle Weights

Add resistance by using ankle weights. This increases the effort needed and works your legs more intensively.

7. Sweep for Longer

Simply extending the time you spend sweeping will naturally increase your calorie expenditure.

Calories Burned Doing Other Household Chores

Vacuuming

A 175-pound person can burn about 80 calories in 30 minutes of vacuuming. It also works your upper body, legs, and core. For extra effort, try squatting or standing on your toes as you vacuum.

Dusting and Scrubbing

• Dusting: Burns around 159 calories per hour—a relatively light activity.

• Scrubbing: More intense scrubbing (e.g., windows or floors) can burn 318 to 378 calories per hour. Add gentle backbends every 15 minutes to counter the forward bending motion.

Making the Bed

Making a bed may seem minor, but it still counts! You can burn:

• Around 13 calories in 5 minutes

• Roughly 80 calories in 30 minutes

Mopping

Surprisingly intense, mopping for an hour can burn up to 318 calories. It works your shoulders, arms, and core—especially if you put some energy into it.

Final Thoughts

While sweeping and other household chores may not replace a full workout, they can be a helpful addition to an active lifestyle—especially if you turn them into intentional physical activities. For more substantial calorie burn and fitness benefits, pair chores with more vigorous exercises like jogging, strength training, or cycling.

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Therapy Treatments for Pain

5 Benefits of Shockwave Therapy Treatments for Pain

Managing Chronic Pain with Shockwave Therapy: What You Need to Know

Chronic pain—regardless of the cause—can be incredibly challenging to live with. While there are plenty of treatment options available, finding one that actually works can feel like an uphill battle. That’s why today, we’re taking a closer look at a lesser-known but promising solution: shockwave therapy.

As the title suggests, we’ll be diving into what this treatment is, how it works, and why it might be worth considering. By the end, we’ll also highlight five key benefits of shockwave therapy that could make a real difference in your recovery journey.

What Is Shockwave Therapy?

Let’s start with the basics. Shockwave therapy—also known as extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)—is a non-invasive medical treatment that uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing and reduce pain. It’s most commonly used for conditions like tendon injuries, plantar fasciitis, calcific shoulder tendinitis, tennis elbow, and other chronic pain syndromes.

How Does It Work?

Now you’re probably wondering, how exactly does this process help with pain? Let’s break it down:

1. Acoustic Waves

Shockwave therapy works by delivering high-energy acoustic waves to the affected area using specialized equipment. These waves penetrate the skin and reach the tissues where healing is needed.

2. Biological Effects

The energy from the waves increases blood flow and activates the body’s natural healing processes. This can lead to tissue regeneration, reduced inflammation, and, ultimately, pain relief.

3. Treatment Sessions

The exact treatment plan varies based on individual needs, but most patients undergo a series of three to six sessions, each lasting around 15 to 30 minutes. Your healthcare provider will tailor the schedule to your specific condition and response.

Five Key Benefits of Shockwave Therapy

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s explore five major benefits of this therapy:

1. Non-Invasive and Surgery-Free

One of the biggest advantages? No surgery required. Shockwave therapy is completely non-invasive—no incisions, no anesthesia, and no lengthy recovery time. It’s an excellent option for patients seeking relief without the risks or discomfort of surgical intervention.

2. Effective Pain Relief

This might seem like a given, but it’s worth emphasizing. Shockwave therapy has been shown to significantly reduce pain for many patients. It encourages the release of endorphins and reduces inflammation, which are both crucial to effective pain management.

3. Accelerated Healing

Beyond pain relief, this therapy helps kickstart your body’s natural healing process. Increased blood flow and stimulated cell repair help tendons, ligaments, and other tissues recover faster than they might on their own.

4. Improved Mobility and Function

As pain decreases and healing accelerates, many patients experience better mobility and function. That means a quicker return to daily activities, sports, and other parts of life that pain might have put on hold.

5. Minimal Side Effects

Finally, one of the most appealing aspects of shockwave therapy is its low risk profile. Side effects are usually limited to mild discomfort during or shortly after treatment. Serious complications are rare, and most people can resume normal activities soon after their session.

Is Shockwave Therapy Right for You?

If you're dealing with persistent musculoskeletal pain and looking for a non-invasive solution, shockwave therapy might be worth discussing with your healthcare provider. While it may not be the answer for everyone, its effectiveness, low risk, and potential to speed up healing make it a compelling option.

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