Working Out While Sick: Good or Bad?

It’s OK to work out during some mild illnesses. But if you’re experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, a fever, or a wet cough, it’s best to rest your bodEngaging in regular exercise is an excellent way to keep your body healthyIn fact, working out has been shown to decrease your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, help keep your weight in check, and boost your immune system (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source, 3Trusted Source).

While there’s no doubt that exercise plays an important role in health, many people wonder whether working out while sick will help or hinder threcoveryHowever, the answer isn’t black and whitThis article explains why sometimes it’s OK to work out when you’re sick, while other times it’s best to stay home and rest.Is it

OK to work out when you’re siMarjan_Apostolovic/IstA speedy recovery is always the goal when you are sick, but it can be hard to know when it’s OK to power through with your normal gym routine and when it’s best to take a few days ofExercise is a healthy habit, and it’s normal to want to continue working out, even when you’re feeling under the weatherThis can be perfectly fine in certain situations but also detrimental if you’re experiencing certain symptomMany experts use

the “above the neck” rule when advising people on whether to continue working out while sicAccording to this theory, if you’re only experiencing symptoms that are above your neck, such as a stuffy nose, sneezing, or an earache, you’re probably OK to engage in exercise at mild intensity for a shorter period, but only if

you feel up to it (4Trusted Source)On the other hand, if you’re experiencing symptoms below your neck, such as nausea, body aches, fever, diarrhea, a productive cough, or chest congestion, you may want to skip your workout until you feel betteA productive cough is one in which you’re coughing up phlegm.