Tag: Exercise when sick

Experts often cite the 'neck rule' to determine if exercising is safe, a guideline widely used in athletic circles. So, **does moving help when sick**, or is it better to stay in bed? The answer is nuanced and depends entirely on your symptoms, but a little movement can sometimes be beneficial.

According to a 2020 review in the *Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews*, light to moderate exercise may reduce the severity of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. So, is it better to keep active when sick? The answer depends entirely on the location and severity of your symptoms.

When you are sick, your body funnels immense energy toward fighting off illness, making rest a cornerstone of recovery. However, a common question arises: how much is too much rest when sick? While crucial in the initial stages, prolonged inactivity can have its own set of downsides, potentially slowing down your overall healing process.

According to the "neck rule" used by many healthcare professionals, the location of your symptoms is a key indicator of whether it’s okay to continue with physical activity. But does being active when you're sick help, and is it ever a bad idea? The truth is a bit more nuanced than you might think.

While many have been told that sweating can help you recover faster from an illness, health experts agree this is a harmful misconception. The belief that you can 'sweat out a cold' actually ignores how your body’s immune system fights off viruses and risks your health in the process.