Should you exercise when you’re sick?

Let me introduce you to the "above the neck" rule.

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In a Nutshell When I was in eighth grade, I got pneumonia after playing a weekend-long basketball tournament with the flu. I didn't want to miss the fun, so I didn't tell anyone I was sick. For my FOMO, I was awarded a trip to the hospital and a pair of very worried parents. Had I told anyone about my symptoms — body aches, fever, lethargy — they would have kept me in bed. Because while exercising when sick isn't always a bad idea, there are many instances when physical exertion is not what the doctor ordered. So in honor of the impending flu season, today we answer the age-old question: Should you exercise when you're sick? Plus, some health news you may want to know about: • "Forever chemicals"' may contribute to breast and ovarian cancer risk • Will the flu shot work this year? Here's what experts think • FDA sends warning letters to CVS, Walgreens, and other companies over eye drops Stay sharp, Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Ginger Wojcik September 27, 2023 • 3 min read

what's got us buzzing How to know if you're too sick to exercise Exercising regularly is famously one of the better things you can do for your health. So wouldn't it be a good thing to keep the blood pumping when you're feeling under the weather? Well, yes … and no. One common way to determine whether it's safe to exercise is with the "above the neck" rule. That is, when your symptoms are all above the neck (think: sore throat, runny nose, headache, etc.), there's little risk in getting some mild to moderate exercise. And indeed, research shows that exercise may not make a mild cold any worse. However, when you feel symptoms below the neck, it's time to get some rest. That's because physical exertion and exhaustion can dampen your immune response, as I learned the hard way back in middle school. Common signs that you're too sick to exercise include: fever nausea body aches feeling weak But no matter how sick you are, it's probably best to avoid the gym, indoor workout classes, or anywhere too close to other people. Remember that you can be contagious even if you only have mild symptoms. FOMO is a powerful force, and it can be hard to stomach the pill of rest. But as the new Arcturus variant of COVID-19 surges, it may be an extra good time to play it safe with your immune system..

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Thanks for reading, everyone! Last week, we asked you to write in with your tips for snoring less. Shout-out to Angie M. who wrote in with this innovative (if not uncomfortable) remedy for making sure she sleeps on her side. I have a sports bra with the removable padding and I fill it with things that are not comfortable to lie on, like hair brushes and over-sized hair clips, anything that's pokey and hard. Then I put the bra on backwards. I also put a huge hair clip on the back of my head. This works pretty well. I found the often recommended ball in the tshirt doesn't work because my half sleeping self just moves it to the side!

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