Flu season is on its way to becoming an epidemic in the U.S.
and while a flu shot is preventative, it won’t 
always help you escape a
winter cold. While your dedication to hit the gym every day is
admirable, there are some symptoms of sickness that should make you
think twice. Please use common sense. If your symptoms are severe, skip
the exercise and see your doctor. Otherwise, follow these guidelines
to decide when you’d be better off staying at home, getting rest and
keeping your germs to yourself.
always help you escape a
winter cold. While your dedication to hit the gym every day is
admirable, there are some symptoms of sickness that should make you
think twice. Please use common sense. If your symptoms are severe, skip
the exercise and see your doctor. Otherwise, follow these guidelines
to decide when you’d be better off staying at home, getting rest and
keeping your germs to yourself.
Do a neck check. You
can exercise while sick if your symptoms are all above the neck, like a
runny nose, a sore throat, nasal congestion and tearing eyes. Of course,
you should always listen to your body and take the intensity of your
workout down a bit if your regular pace feels too strenuous.
If it’s below, don’t go.
If you have any symptoms below the neck, such as body aches, chills,
coughing, fatigue, stomach problems or diarrhea, it’s advised to take it
easy until you're feeling better. And if you're running a fever, no
matter where your symptoms are, put off exercising until your
temperature returns to normal.
Follow common courtesy. Just
as no one likes gym goers who sweat on equipment and don’t clean the
machines, you won’t make any friends having a nonstop sneezing or
coughing spell. If you suspect you’re contagious, follow common courtesy
and stay home. If you do go while under the weather, use hand sanitizer
and wipe down all machines after use.
Listen to your body.
When suffering from congestion or low energy, exercise often helps you
feel better. Know your limits and take the intensity down a notch. A
brisk walk can sometimes unclog the sinuses better than an afternoon on
the couch. Gentle exercise will rev up circulation and counteract that
sluggish, rundown feeling. Exercising while sick is a personal decision
and you’re the best judge of what your body can handle.
To avoid getting sick remember to keep
up a healthy lifestyle without running yourself down. Take time to
relax, get seven hours of sleep, drink plenty of water, eat healthy and
wash your hands—a lot.
Brought to you by LifeFitness
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