Should you still Exercise when you are Sick?

Exercise has become a daily routine for many of us, but with colder, more pleasant weather in the Valley of the Sun, it becomes easier for us to come down with a cold or become infected with the Flu. Many people do not want to miss out on their routine in fear that it will be hard to start back up, but is it good for your body and overall health to continue to exercise even when you are ill?

That depends on what your symptoms are.

A variety of experts, from doctors to fitness trainers, all agree that exercising with a cold can be okay but if you have a fever, you need to rest. You can become even sicker if you decide to exercise with a fever, since your internal body temperature is already too high. Because of the fatigue and muscle aches that can come with having a fever, this could also lead to serious injury.

Regular exercise boosts your body’s immune system and makes your body better equipped to fight off illness; however, intense exercising, such as training sessions done by athletes, actually lowers your immunities.

When you do become sick from a cold, slowing down your exercising will allow your body to effectively address the stress on your body, but placing additional stress on your body from a continued intense exercise routine can be counter-productive. Increasing your body temperature from a less intense workout regimen and sweating can actually help kill many viruses in your system when you have a cold.

In general, the rule of thumb to know if it is okay to exercise while you are sick is if your symptoms are “above your neck”. Such cold symptoms include:

• Nasal Congestion
• Running Nose
• Aching Throat
• Headache
• Sneezing

It is advised to avoid exercise if you have a fever and/or your symptoms are “below your neck”, such as:

• Fatigue
• Body and Muscle Aches
• Coughing
• Chest Congestion
• Upset Stomach
• Vomiting

Regardless of your symptoms, make sure to listen to your body. Even if you have just a cold, your body will let you know if it can handle a light workout or if rest would be the better option. If you find yourself becoming ill, make sure to visit the Phoenix Family Medical Clinic at one of our three locations: Surprise, Phoenix and the East Valley. Contact us today to make an appointment or walk right in.

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