To workout or not to workout – what to do when you’re sick?

I’ve had a few people ask me “what do I do if I’m sick? Should I be working out? Or should I be resting?”

The answer itself isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no”. Why is that? Let me explain.

When your body is sick it is under stress. Plain and simple. A virus, bacteria, an infection… pathogens invade your body which, in turn, registers an immune response. Your immune system requires energy in order to fight these pathogens via the development of immune cells.

Why does this matter? Well, when you go to the gym or do a hard workout at home, you’re also putting your body under intense stress, all the while emptying your vast energy pools.

Do you see where I’m going with this? The key to fighting off disease is to rest. Putting the stress of a hard workout in during illness will only prolong your recovery or, regrettably, make you feel worse.

But how do you maintain a routine and keep your focus? Well, just because you are sick doesn’t mean you can’t do some physical activity. After all, there is a difference between working out vs. moving the body. So, activities such as walking, light house work, a slow and steady dip in a pool, etc. are all ways to stay active while not overworking yourself.