To Exercise or Not When You Are Sick

I’m around a lot of people all day long and I always worry about getting sick. No one wants to be sick especially when it’s being passed on by someone unknown to you.

The fact of the matter is no matter how hard we try to take care of ourselves, sometimes things sneak through. Then we find ourselves powering down healthy foods, Vitamin C, Echinacea; anything we can think of to try and feel better quickly.

I always try to take a warm or hot shower when I feel terrible. I feel so much better even for just a little while. But for those of us that like to exercise, should we pass on the exercise when we’re sick or go ahead and do a work out?

While I’m sure no one at the gym wants your germs, there are a few things that you can do that might make you feel just a little bit better than you do laying around on the couch feeling crummy.

To Exercise or Not When You Are Sick

Take a Walk

Even if it’s just around the block, sometimes the fresh air will rejuvenate us and make us feel just a little bit better. No strenuous running or hiking, but some fresh air might actually do you good.

Stretching and Resistance Bands

Stretching those achy muscles might actually feel a little bit better. If you have just some simple bands, try doing a few stretches and easy movements to activate those muscles again. Even if you don’t have bands, get down on the floor or sit in a chair and just stretch and move.

Recumbent Bike

If you happen to have a recumbent bike or a regular exercise bike, a 10 or 15 minutes warm-up could help you start feeling better again. Unless you’re feeling on the mend or it’s warm outside, I probably would refrain from a regular bike ride. But then again it’s all in how you feel.

Sauna

If you are a member of a gym and they happen to have a sauna, that might be an excellent way to feel better too. Get those toxins and germs to sweat it out of you a little bit. But don’t stay into long and make sure to hydrate before and after.

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