We all can agree that moving more is generally good for health and wellness. However, more is not always better when it comes to exercise and there are indeed times when taking it easy may be the best option. But it’s not always easy to make the call on whether you should stick with that sweat session or give your body a break for the day. Here are my two cents on how you should weigh a few scenarios:
You have a cold and your nose is running
Sweat it out. As long as you don’t have a fever and you feel like doing it, you’re cleared to exercise. Just keep the workout intensity light to moderate, think walking or exercising on an elliptical and make sure you’re staying hydrated.
Yet if you have a fever, defined as a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, or you’re coughing, sit this exercise session out until you’re feeling better. By all means, if you have the flu that seems to be going around at the moment, or another more severe viral infection, do what your body wants and rest. Otherwise, you could potentially negatively affect your immune system which isn’t a good thing. And if you participate in a group class or are around others, it is responsible to hold off to avoid potential exposure to whatever infection you may be fighting.
You’re experiencing fatigue after a COVID-19 infection
Skip it. If you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19, go ahead and give yourself permission to skip your workouts until you’re rested and healed, especially if you’re showing the most common symptoms of the virus which include fever, dry cough and fatigue, according to the WHO. Across the board, experts recommend caution when it comes to returning to exercise after COVID-19. It’s a new illness, and research is still revealing how and when complications occur.
Exercising while you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms may worsen the infection and lead to additional complications.
You have a hangover
Skip it. If you’re feeling hungover, exercise will only make you feel worse, especially if you’re experiencing dizziness or nausea. You could dehydrate yourself even more, and that could compound how bad you feel. As the day progresses and if you start feeling better, you could always try light activity, like walking. Just keep your water bottle nearby; having a hangover can dehydrate you.
Got almost no sleep last night
Sleep it off. If working out means that you’re going to have to skimp on sleep, it’s best to skip the gym. Sleep should always take priority over exercise. Being sleep deprived can be as bad as being on drugs or alcohol, as you won’t be thinking clearly and can’t focus or concentrate. Instead of working out, stay in bed a little longer or go to bed earlier.
