The past week and a half has been a bit frustrating for me. For the second time in a year, I have costochondritis, which is inflammation in the area surrounding the upper ribs/breastbone. It feels like you are having heart attack symptoms.
I am apparently one of those cases with an “unknown” cause, since I haven’t been sick and I haven’t experienced any trauma to my chest. Treatment consists of anti-inflammatory medication and rest….sigh.
It’s really frustrating when you have been on a regular schedule with exercise, or if you had fallen off the routine but were finally back on it, only to be told you have to rest. I tried to fight through it but my condition was only made worse.
After two days of ignoring the need to rest, my symptoms really flared up and suddenly the ibuprofen wasn’t really helping. So I had to resign myself to the fact that I didn’t have a choice.
With the flu and cold season upon us now, you might be wondering if it is okay to exercise when you are sick. Well first of all, I think it depends on what type of sickness you are dealing with. A slight cold or cough shouldn’t keep you from it, but something like the flu might.
The experts give us differing opinions on whether or not you should exercise if you are sick. Some say it can help build up your immune system, while others say it can actually bring it down. I think you have to judge your own body and ability.
If you can, though, keep working out. But if you really can’t, then you have to let it go. Don’t feel guilty (I am preaching to myself here). It is so easy to feel like you have taken 10 steps back when you get out of your routine.
You might take advantage of this time to set some new goals. Think about new healthy habits you want to start. Perhaps you can put together a new exercise routine. You don’t have to let this time of rest stop you from continuing to strive for a fit lifestyle. You just have to change your focus.
How do you handle being sick and unable to exercise?
Related Articles:
Should You Exercise When Sick?
The Importance of Sleep and Rest
Photo by Perfecto Insecto in Flickr