Overcoming Sickness: The Power of Exercise for Recovery and Health
We've all been there – feeling under the weather, with our bodies stiff and uncomfortable from lack of movement. After several days of illness, the path back to wellness can feel challenging, but movement is often exactly what our bodies need to recover fully.
One fitness enthusiast recently shared their journey of returning to exercise after a bout of illness that left them feeling stiff, achy, and uncomfortable. Their experience highlights an important truth about physical health: inactivity during illness can sometimes make us feel worse.
The Effects of Inactivity During Illness
When we're sick, the natural tendency is to rest – and that's often exactly what our bodies need. However, extended periods of complete inactivity can lead to:
- Muscle stiffness and soreness
- Joint discomfort
- Decreased flexibility
- Lower energy levels even after the illness subsides
“I have been feeling sick for some days, I have not really exercised and it did not do any good for my system,” the fitness enthusiast noted. “Not exercising did not help me, but made my body stiff. I tried to stretch, even the back of my legs, my knees, my toes, everything pained me. Because of lack of exercise.”
The Mental Challenge of Restarting
Perhaps the biggest hurdle in returning to exercise after illness is mental. Our bodies often resist movement when we're feeling low-energy, but pushing through this initial resistance can lead to improved recovery.
“It is very hard to exercise. But very easy to gain weight. Very hard to lose weight. Very easy to gain weight,” they shared. “All you need to do is to push your body. You force it. Don't let your body control you – you control your body.”
Starting Small: The Key to Recovery
The approach to exercise after illness should be gradual and measured. As our fitness enthusiast pointed out: “We must not be professional athletes. We must not lift 100 pounds. Just start by lifting 10 pounds. Five pounds. If we cannot lift 10 pounds, little by little, we are going to be fine.”
This progressive approach applies to all forms of exercise:
- Begin with gentle stretching to improve flexibility
- Add short cardio sessions to build endurance
- Gradually increase intensity as your energy returns
- Listen to your body while gently challenging it
The Reward of Persistence
Within just one short workout session, our fitness enthusiast began to notice improvements: “I'm sweating now. I was cold before but now I'm sweating… My energy level is coming back.”
This rapid response demonstrates how quickly our bodies can begin to recover when we provide them with the right stimulus. Exercise increases circulation, releases endorphins, and helps clear the respiratory system – all beneficial when recovering from illness.
Your Health is Your Foundation
Perhaps the most important takeaway is understanding the fundamental importance of health to everything else we wish to accomplish. As noted in the workout session: “Your health is what? When you are in good health, you can achieve. It's only when you cannot do certain things that you cannot achieve your goals.”
Health truly is the foundation upon which we build everything else in our lives. By prioritizing movement and physical wellbeing, we create the conditions for success in all other areas.
Moving Forward: A Commitment to Consistency
Whether you're recovering from illness or simply trying to establish a regular exercise routine, the principles remain the same:
- Start where you are, not where you think you should be
- Make regular movement a non-negotiable part of your routine
- Celebrate small victories and improvements
- Remember that consistency trumps intensity, especially when rebuilding
By honoring these principles, you can overcome setbacks and continue progressing toward your fitness goals, even after periods of illness or inactivity.
