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eLearning Series:
Your Most Popular Exercise & Fitness Questions
Learn the right way to get into
shape...
( 50 articles
in this series )
Exercising
While You Are Sick: Yes or No?
Your fitness routine is an important part
of your life and you hate to miss a day. But what are you supposed
to do when you wake up with a sore throat and a fever? Should
you exercise anyway? This has been a point of contention between
experts of certain philosophies but the medical response is
that whether or not you should exercise depends totally on
the situation. Just because you may not feel one hundred
percent doesn’t necessarily mean that you should flake out
on a workout. Some doctors even say that some illnesses actually benefit
from exercise. The simplest, straightest answer is if you have
a fever or nausea, stay in bed; otherwise a little physical
activity might be just what the doctor ordered.
Fever
and nausea are two symptoms that can be highly aggravated
by physical exertion. Exercise raises the body’s temperature
anyway and that’s exactly what you don’t want when you have
a fever. If you’re sick and have a fever, chances are that
you probably won’t feel like doing anything anyway, but if
you simply must do something, do a few yoga postures for just
a few minutes. The soothing nature of yoga may help to calm
your mind as well as your body and allow you to relax until
your fever breaks. For nausea, lying still is the best
remedy. Trying to work out or even just incorporate some physical activity
in your day when you’re feeling nauseous is not a smart choice.
The likely scenario is that you will aggravate your stomach,
already feeling delicate, and end up sicker than before. Do
yourself a favor and simply chill out. After all, the faster
you recover, the sooner you’ll be back in the fitness saddle.
Most infectious diseases, like chicken pox, require complete
rest as well. Your body is trying to fight off an infection
and it can do that much more efficiently when it’s not trying
to do step aerobics.
For
the range of other symptoms, it’s usually okay to work
out unless a doctor specifically tells you to refrain from
physical activity. When you have a cold and are stuffy and
blocked up, getting active can help break up some of the blockage
in your sinuses and move it on out. Sore throats typically
will not bar you from your workout unless accompanied by a
fever. Be careful in cold weather, though, since the frigid
air can dry out your throat even more and exacerbate the pain.
Have a headache? A good aerobic workout might be just the ticket
to get rid of it. Exercise increases the blood flow in your
body, which may sound like a bad thing when you’re talking
about a headache, but it can actually help regulate the blood
flow through the vessel that is causing the pain and get you
feeling back to normal much faster. Exercise is also fantastic
for PMS or the days that you simply feel a little blue. By
increasing the amount of endorphins in your body, exercise
makes you feel happier. Physical activity helps move water
out of the body’s tissues, so the PMS bloat will go away, letting
your body return to its normal size.
While there are certainly times when you shouldn’t exercise,
there are many more times when it’s the best idea in the world.
Exercise is wonderful for dealing with stress, premenstrual
syndrome, and much more. Simply the act of taking time for
yourself can affirm your own self-worth and give you a boost
in your confidence. Rather than reading romance novels while
eating a box of chocolate from the corner drugstore, lace up
your shoes and go for an invigorating walk around your neighborhood,
greeting familiar faces and enjoying the scenery. You will
feel much better than if you had stayed in!
The next time you’re feeling less than healthy, assess your
body. If you have a fever or nausea, care for yourself by going
to bed and allowing your body’s natural defenses to do their
jobs. If it’s a cold, PMS, or simply a bad day, go out and
exercise anyway. Try something new like an unfamiliar sport
or a different machine at the gym. Make your well being a priority
and contribute to your own fitness. You may be surprised at
how much better you feel after!
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