Exercise Vs. Being Sick

Bearobics, originally uploaded by Trance-Elbow.

I don't get sick very often, so you can imagine my surprise last week when I felt like I was getting the flu. I was sniffly, achey, light-headed and I had a general feeling of malaise. I came out to CT to become Le Doug's problem if it got worse. On Friday I decided, mostly out of boredom, to go to the gym and try to sweat out the illness, before it got the best of me.

It worked. A good four-mile run and some weights and sit ups had me feeling like a new person. Top that off with a hot shower and some watermelon-scented bath gel, and I felt as if I could do anything.

I ran another four miles and change today and I feel even better. Perhaps sweating it out really does make a difference.

There jury is split on weather you should exercise while sick. Generally speaking sniffles are fine, but fevers are a pass to stay at home. For people such as myself who like to run often and who are working on increasing their distance, a day or tow off can feel like an eternity.

This article gets into the physiology as to why you should take it easy when you're sick.

If it's women's troubles (PMS) that's making you feel sick, most doctors agree that working out will reduce physical symptons as well as all the mental and emotional ones that are all in your head.