Should You Exercise While Sick?

working out while sickI have been feeling a little under the weather lately, fearing I may have caught strep throat. Even though my throat hurt and I thought my forehead seemed a little warmer than usual, I pushed on with my regular workout yesterday. I got to thinking though, is that good for one’s body? I did some research on the topic today, and this is what I learned form Women’s Fitness online.

If you do not have a fever and are experiencing moderate to low symptoms, a simple exercise such as walking will be suffice. But if you are running a fever and have other symptoms such as extreme fatigue, muscle aches, or swollen lymph nodes, the exercising should be put on hold until you begin to feel better. Resting and getting more sleep will help you feel better faster. Women’s Fitness has a great indicator of whether you should work out or not, called the “neck check.” If your symptoms are above the neck, such as sneezing, runny nose, or watery eyes, go ahead with your regular fitness routine. But if the symptoms are below the neck, like nausea or achy muscles, forgo the workout until you are better.

Photo Credit: Womens Fitness