Sleep is the best way for your body to recover quickly when you are sick. But if you decide to get up and grind, you can use the “neck check” to decide whether to wear those sneakers or stay in bed.
Many sports medicine doctors use this theory to say that if your symptoms are above the neck — a sore throat, a sore throat, or a headache — you’re generally good to go for treatment. light exercise. But if you’re dealing with chest tightness, a hacking or runny cough, diarrhea, fever, or stomach ache, it’s best to take some time to refer to the Netflix checklist.
Big disclaimer: it’s rare scientific evidence behind the “neck check”, so use your best judgement.
If you go with the above-the-neck rule, it’s probably a good idea to exercise with the following symptoms.
Mild cold
If you have a mild cold, it’s not a good idea to go too hard. But light exercise, like walking or the Peloton Cooldown, can be a great way to be active without being too active. Extend or light yoga can also do the trick.
Small ear pain
Light exercise such as walking for most earaches. Avoid vigorous exercise such as weight lifting, yoga, or pilates, as these can throw off your balance and put pressure on your sinuses, making the pain worse.
Sore throat
Light, short exercises are probably fine if your sore throat is mild and you don’t have a fever, cough, or swallowing. Remember to stay hydrated – it can ease your sore throat and is helpful during exercise.
Full nose
Light exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, can help relieve allergic rhinitis. If your nose is blocked, stick to very light exercises and focus on breathing. If you have a fever, chest tightness, or a productive cough with sputum, stop exercising until your symptoms clear.
If you experience the following symptoms, exercise can wait.
Fever
Work with fever increases the risk of dehydration and can worsen fever. Additionally, fever reduces your muscle strength and coordination, making you more prone to injuries. So, do yourself a favor and skip the workout until you’re back to normal.
cough
An occasional cough is your body’s way of clearing out irritations, but frequent coughing or phlegm can signal a respiratory infection, such as a cold, flu, or even pneumonia or asthma. While a cough caused by ticks is not enough to spoil the gym, it is persistent.
Stomach risk
Diarrhea and vomiting can dehydrate you, and physical activity only worsens this dehydration. Feeling weak? This is a recipe for injury. In addition, stomach bugs are highly contagious. If you feel irritable, try light exercise or yoga at home.
Flu
The flu hits your respiratory system hard, with symptoms like fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, headache, cough, and congestion. If you have the flu, take it easy and give your body some R&R.
