Deciding whether to work out when you don’t feel well can be a difficult decision. You want to stay in shape, but you also don’t want to
make yourself sicker. The following are a few guidelines from the Aerobic and Fitness Association of America to help you decide whether to
work out:
• Check with your physician to see if it is safe for you to exercise while you
are sick. It is not a good idea to further endanger your health if you
are ill.
• Consider others. If you are contagious, you should probably skip
going to the gym, where you could contaminate other people.
• Consider the risks of exercising while you are sick. One major risk
is heat stroke and heat exhaustion. When you are sick or feverish, the body cannot deal with overheating as well as usual; therefore, you run an increased risk of heat stroke, which can be fatal.
Another major risk is the potential for developing a viral infection.
According to Dr. David Schechter, a sports medicine specialist,
viral infections can lead to heart failure and even death. Although
this condition is rare, it is best to avoid overexerting yourself. Exercising when you are sick may make your condition worse. If you
have bronchitis, for example, according to Dr. Schechter, the stress
of exercise and temporary dip in the immune system that has been
documented to occur with strenuous exercise could lead to a worsening of the bronchitis or the development of pneumonia, a serious
lung infection.10
• Use common sense when you are sick and considering working out.
Avoid exercise when you experiencing a fever, muscle aches, shakes,
chills, or vomiting. These symptoms are often present when a viral
or bacterial infection is at its peak.
200 Although a quick workout while you are sick may be a temporary
pick-me-up, avoiding exercising while you are sick may be your best bet
for a speedy recovery.
SLEEP BETTER TO IMPROVE YOUR GAME
Your best source of energy is sleep. Inadequate sleep is associated with
heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Studies show that eight hours of
sleep a night is ideal for optimal health. Sleeping better will not only
give you more energy on the golf course, it will keep you alert and
enable you to concentrate for the four to five hours that it takes to play.
The following are a few tips to help you sleep better:
• Replace old bedding. Throw out mattresses that are more than 10
years old. Mattresses lose firmness after years of wear. Throw out
pillows that are more than three years old. Pillows collect bacteria
and dust mites that can make people sick. Wash your sheets often,
and toss your pillows into the dryer each month to kill dust mites.
• Turn off the television and computer. Watching television or working
on the computer before you go to bed can stimulate your brain and
make it hard for you to relax and unwind.
• Keep the noise level down in your bedroom. Use a fan or white noise
machine to block outside noise. Dim the lights half an hour before
going to bed to signal your brain that it is time to rest.
• Exercise regularly. Performing just 20 to 30 minutes of exercise per
day can help improve sleep. Just be sure to exercise in the morning
or early afternoon. Avoid exercising late in the day, as it will stimulate your body and make it harder for you to fall asleep.
LAUGH YOUR WAY TO A BETTER GAME
Golf is a sport that requires a lot of focus, concentration, and mental
stamina. Anyone who has cracked up at a joke or watched a funny
movie knows that laughing makes you feel better, but do you know
that research shows that laughter can strengthen your immune system,
help you tolerate pain better, and even make you smarter? According
to Michael Lovorn, a humor researcher and education teacher at California State University, Long Beach, “Laughing contributes to a good
mind and body balance.” Having a good belly laugh every once in a
while can help boost your memory and relieve stress.
