Exercising when you are sick is smart or not

In general, it is recommended not to exercise intensively if you are ill. When your body is sick, it needs rest and time to recover. Exercise can further burden the immune system and slow down the recovery process.

Symptoms of illness and exercise

If you are experiencing mild symptoms, such as a mild cold or a stuffy nose, you may still be able to do light to moderate exercise, such as a gentle walk. However, always listen to your body and stop exercising if you start to feel worse during the activity.

Severe symptoms during illness and exercise

However, if you have symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea or other signs of a serious illness, it is important to get complete rest and give your body a chance to recover. In this case, it is wise not to exercise until you have fully recovered.

Discuss with doctor for sports and illness

It is always best to consult with a doctor before exercising if you are ill, especially if you are unsure about the severity of your symptoms. A doctor can advise you on what is best for your specific situation. Remember that your health comes first, and rest and recovery are crucial to getting back to full strength.

Want to exercise again after being sick?

Once your illness has passed and you feel healthy again, you can generally start exercising again. However, it is important to listen to your body and rebuild gradually, especially if you have been ill for a longer period of time.

Here are some guidelines to follow when resuming sports after an illness.

Start exercising slowly after illness

Start with light to moderate activities to get your body used to physical exertion again. This could be a gentle walk, jogging or light strength training.

Build up exercise gradually after illness

Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. Don't force yourself to immediately return to your previous training level. Give your body time to get stronger and adapt.

Listen to your body after illness

It is normal to have some reduced fitness after an illness. Pay close attention to how your body responds to the effort. If you feel dizzy, weak, tired, or uncomfortable, it's important to take a step back and rest.
Hydrate well: Make sure you drink enough water before, during and after your workouts. Hydration is essential for good performance and recovery.

Eating healthy after illness

Eat a balanced diet to provide your body with the right nutrients it needs to recover and grow stronger.
Sleep and recovery: Get enough rest and sleep to give your body the opportunity to recover after exercise.

Recovering from illness be patient

Remember that it is important to be patient and give your body time to recover and rebuild after an illness. Don't force anything and enjoy the process of gradually becoming stronger and fitter.