Sick? Can I Still Exercise?
It's that time of year again... We get run down due to holiday stress, parties, sweet sugary treats, breathing indoor air, and the snow and cold temperatures make it harder to stay motivated to get out and get moving. All this taxes our immune system. Sick? Here are some guidelines to follow regarding exercise.
If your symptoms are above your neck, it’s usually OK to exercise at a lower intensity than you are used to. This includes symptoms such as:
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Headache
If you have enough energy to tolerate it, increasing your body temperature by sweating from exercise will actually help to kill many viruses.The key to exercising when you’re sick is to do so carefully. Over-exercising will place more stress on your body, which can suppress your immune system, so keep the intensity of your workouts to a moderate level if you're sick; just go for a brisk walk or tone down your regular workout.
It’s generally advised that you AVOID exercise if you have symptoms that are "below your neck," such as:
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- Fever
- Coughing or chest congestion
- Fatigue
- Widespread body and muscle aches
- Vomiting, upset stomach and/or stomach cramps
No matter what your symptoms, be sure to listen to your body. If you don’t feel up to it, and need rest, then take some time off!!I cannot stress enough that if you don’t feel well, do not do your full, normal exercise routine because it can stress your immune system more and prolong your illness!High-intensity exercise should be avoided when you’re sick, because any kind of intensive exercise boosts production of cortisol, a stress hormone which inhibits the activity of natural killer cells—a type of white blood cell that attacks and rids your body of viral agents.
Copyright, 2012, Jackie Mart. For further information about this blog, or Optimum Wellness MN, contact Jackie Mart at 712.790.5883 or Jackie@OptimumWellnessMN.com.
As a holistic nutrition and lifestyle coach, I will support you in taking steps to a healthier and happier you. My goal is to help you create an art of balance in your life. You will also learn how important balance between primary foods (relationships, physical activity, sleep, career and spirituality) and secondary foods (organic food and whole food) is.
www.optimumwellnessmn.com
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