Being ill can mean many things. In this article, I discuss how I usually deal with the common flu. In addition, you will be walked through chronic pains and what to do if you want to train. Always be cautious as you are already weaker than normal. Always consult a doctor when you feel ill and want to exercise heavy.

 

Exercising while you are ill highly depends on your medical record. Always consult a doctor before you decide to do so, especially when you already have a chronic illness or have to take medication. 

 

Apart from this always take into consideration of what you are made. Ask yourself:

 

Am I generally prone to injury/sickness ?

How long does it usually take for me to recover?

How old am I? Did my health deteriorate?

Is this an existing or a new injury/illness ? 

How bad am I really affected? 

 

Based on these factors you can make an educated guess on whether it is ok for you to keep trying while you are ill or not. 

 

The important bit is to make a conscious decision based on going through multiple factors rather than just shrugging it off and going anyway. When push comes to shove it is always better to err on the side of caution and stay home.

 

 

Another factor to consider is what kind of illness you are having. If it is something you have been living with for years, you might be able to do some exercises as you already know the pain and your limits well. 

 

 

 

This question relates to chronic illness and whether it should keep you from training.This is the case with diagnosed illnesses you just can not do a lot about. In these scenarios, you might want to take a calculated risk together with your general practitioner of whether exercising is more beneficial to you than not doing anything at all.

 

If you being unwell relates to a new injury or illness, then you want to monitor how long that is the case and whether you should take action. The longer you show the same or worsening symptoms the more like you should get professional advice. My magic line in the sand is three days in a row. Once that is crossed I get an appointment with a specialist.

 

 

Apart from age, it is also important to look into your entire lifestyle when deciding to exercise when ill. Are you generally healthy, active, do not take a lot of legal or illegal drugs and have a balanced lifestyle? Good then it is likely you can go to the gym with a minor ailment.

 

However, if you are sickly, easily irritated and under constant medication, take it easy and you probably know you should not go put yourself under additional strain.

 

 

Again, consult your doctor first to be sure. I am not a specialist and base these on my own experience and what worked for me and my built. 

 

Take special care if you are on any medication regarding your cardiovascular system. Blood thinners can be tricky in combination with exercise.

 

Antibiotics are ok in relation to why you are taking them. If it is a little infection you are fighting take care of the area affected. Again, think of others. 

 

Over the counter painkillers are fine, especially when you are fighting a hangover. Apply some common sense and read the instructions on the labels in case you are unsure.

 

 

I personally got good results and even set personal records by pushing through hangovers and the sniffles. Especially a stiff morning run can do wonders to clear out your head and create a positive rather than dreary day. If I got the flu for more than three days I stayed at home with tea, blankets, and movies until I got better.