The Golden Rules of Exercising With a Cold

Exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing with a cold, but light to moderate activity can help you to feel better, according to doctors.

The rule of thumb is that if your symptoms are above the neck – sneezing, coughing, stuffed-up nose – it’s safe to break a sweat.

If your symptoms are flu-like or below the neck, like nausea, hold off the exercise completely, advises the American College on Exercise.

If you decide a little exercise is just what the doctor ordered then here are some of the dos and don’ts of working out with a cold:

Do

• • Walk. Walking can open your airways and help you breathe.
  • Run. Running is a natural de-congestant too, but hold off on the marathon training. Research has found that prolonged exercise of 1.5 hours will compromise your immune system for up to 24 hours afterwards.
  • Yoga. Yoga gently stretches aches and pains away, and may lower cortisol levels produced when your body fights a cold.

Don’t

• • Don’t go for a dip. Chlorinated water can irritate skin and eyes, and is a good way to spread germs.
  • Don’t get too adventurous. Outdoor activities in the cold like biking which will dry your airways.
  • Don’t share it around. Keep away from team sports – no one wants your cold.

• Bio

AIF

The Australian Institute of Fitness

The Australian Institute of Fitness (AIF) is the largest and longest established fitness training organisation in Australia, with dynamic training methods and expert course coaches nationwide - spanning fitness, massage and nutrition. The AIF qualifies more fitness professionals than any other provider in Australia, as well as offering a broad range of continuing education courses (CEC), upskilling resources and partnership programs for existing industry.