Enduring a bout of sickness is one of the least desirable states of existence to be in. Whether it be food poisoning, a bout of the latest strain of the coronavirus, or the newest edition of the flu floating around in the air, coming down with an infection that hinders our physical well-being affects our productivity and overall quality of life. In addition to feeling like a wet noodle and having the mindset of a three-toed sloth when feeling under the weather, achieving physical activity or an exercise session isn’t the most attainable task either.
Illnesses affect humans in unique ways. Additionally, every person handles illness differently. We have unique immune systems. Our bodies and behaviors differ from person to person. Daily temperature drops due to the changing of season can cause disruptions in our sinus cavity, imposing symptoms of post-nasal drip, earaches, headaches, or sore throats.
Additionally, a new set of plants are flowers are scheduled to bloom after the rains of the fall and winter seasons grace our presence. Along with the damp environment and photosynthesis, the sunny days in Napa are blessed with trigger plants to produce a new set of pollen. This new strain of pollen circulating throughout the town’s air can cause allergic responses to individuals sensitive to allergens to have respiratory distress including snot production, raspy throats, and wheezing. Furthermore, the decreased temperature exposes our immune system, making a virus’s ability to latch onto our body and induce an infection. Needless to say, the colder, darker, and damper holiday seasons can bring about a few cases of illness in our lives.
Wearing warm clothes, ensuring to eat healthy food, and getting enough rest mitigates the effects of allergies and contracting illness. It’s also important to understand what our body’s barometer of physical stress is telling us. For the “movers and shakers” in our society, the “go-go-go” and “get it done” mentality assists people to be productive and successful in their everyday life endeavors. Staying fit and ensuring consistent exercise is adhered to on a weekly basis is critically important to aiding us in getting the most out of our busy days. However, when a headache impairs our thoughts, body aches influence us to move slower, or something just doesn’t feel right in our body, there might be a message being sent from our central nervous system telling us to take it easy.
Consistency in an exercise routine is a key ingredient for living a long and healthy life. However, exercising while in a physically impaired state can do more harm than good. In the case of feeling a little under the weather, it might be best to take a day off to recover and let the body recalibrate. Once the body is free of symptoms of beginning to get sick or is coming with an illness, then we can resume exercise when we feel better. We get the most adaptation of strength and feel amazing from our exercise sessions when we can perform at our best.
that understanding “less is more” is critically important to our lives. Exercise is vital to our existence. Performing at our best is equally, if not more important than exercise adherence. Listen to your body when experiencing something unusual. The gym will always be there tomorrow. It’s not going anywhere. It’s OK to recover so you feel your best to achieve your best exercise session possible.
Sean McCawley, the founder and owner of Napa Tenacious Fitness in Napa, CA, welcomes questions and comments. Reach him at 707-287-2727, napatenacious@gmail.com, or visit the website napatenaciousfitness.com.
