An immunologist, Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu, says one thing you should never do when you have a cold is to push yourself to do intense exercise.
According to Parade, mild activities like walking are fine and can even help clear your nose, but strenuous workouts like running or lifting heavy weights can make things worse.
When you’re sick, your body uses energy to fight the infection. By overexerting yourself, you take energy away from your immune system, making it harder to recover.
Parade explains that exercising too hard when you’re sick can prolong your recovery and even lead to complications like bronchitis or pneumonia.
It also increases stress, which weakens your immune system and makes your cold last longer. Vigorous exercise can also make you dehydrated, worsening symptoms like a sore throat and stuffy nose.
Instead of intense workouts, Parade suggests focusing on gentler activities like yoga, stretching, or short walks, which help you stay active without stressing your body.
Dr. Karpuzoglu says it’s important to listen to your body, rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat well so your immune system can do its job.
The key takeaway, according to Parade, is that self-care and rest are essential for a quicker recovery from a cold, even if it’s tempting to stay productive.
Credit : Parade