Is it Okay to Work Out if I'm Sick?

We’ve all been sick at some point in our lives. Sickness is unavoidable and sometimes comes at the most unexpected and inconvenient times.

If your sickness is less severe, you might only experience mild symptoms, such as tiredness or minor headaches. But if your sickness is moderate to severe, your symptoms can be much worse than this. In some cases, sickness can lead to extreme fatigue, dizziness, cramps, aches, pains, nausea, and vomiting.

For those of you who enjoy working out, it can be tough to know what to do when you’re sick. Do you stop exercising altogether? Do you continue working out but cut back on the intensity? Can you just continue your usual exercise routine and fight through the sickness?

The answer largely depends on the severity of your sickness.

When Shouldn’t You Work Out if You Are Sick?

Generally, you should significantly cut back on exercise when you’re sick. If a virus or bacteria has infected your body, it uses lots of energy to activate an immune response to get rid of these harmful pathogens.

If you’re exercising a lot while your body is trying to fight against an infection, it can slow down your immune activation and, therefore, slow down your recovery.

There’s also the issue of safety. If you’re feeling tired, dizzy, and nauseous, doing an intense workout is probably the last thing that your body wants.

You might be putting your safety at risk if you go and lift heavy weights or try sprints on the treadmill when you’re not feeling your best. Tiredness and dizziness may cause you to drop the weights or slip on the cardio machine, which can cause some serious injuries.

Why Should You Work Out if You Are Sick?

With that being said, exercise can be beneficial when you’re mildly sick. Research suggests that physical movement can strengthen the immune system. physical movement can strengthen the immune system.

Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural pain killers and mood boosters. If you have mild aches, pains or cramps, this surge in endorphins may help to relieve your symptoms. It can also be a great way to get outside and breathe some fresh air, relieving headaches and congestion.

Any kind of movement can act as a great distraction when you’re not feeling the best. Whether it’s a leisurely walk down the road or gentle stretch, light movement can distract you from your symptoms and make you feel immediately better.