How Regular Workouts Can Help You Beat the Louisiana Flu Season

Few situations are worse than landing in bed for few days with the flu. During Louisiana flu season, people can wind up getting seriously ill. This can lead to missed days at work and feelings of ongoing fatigue. Even if you get the flu shot, it does not combat many of the newest strains. One of the best ways to combat the flu is to stay fit. Learn how regular workouts can help you beat the Louisiana flu season.

Ward Off Flu and Chronic Illness

Maintaining optimum overall fitness helps to boost your immune system. A strong immune system is your body’s natural defense against infections and illness. Being physically fit can also help you prevent chronic illnesses that make you more susceptible to catching colds and flu. One of the simplest ways to jump start your immune system is regular exercise. When you exercise continually, it can boost certain immune cells up to 300 percent. This helps your immune system to destroy intruders that cause colds and flu. It makes sense when you consider stronger people are better able to fight off getting sick. In the long run, this also helps you save money that could be lost due to taking sick days from work or paying for costly medications and remedies.

Moderate Exercise is All It Takes

You don’t have to become the next Olympic athlete to be able to beat the Louisiana flu season. Combine cardiovascular activities with strength training for the ideal balance. Start with simple activities such as a 20-minute walk each day. During inclement weather, keep your workout routine going by investing in a treadmill and strength training equipment such as the Vectra VX-11 where you can do leg presses, calf presses, triceps extensions and preacher curls. Slowly build on the intensity of your workouts and try to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes daily. No matter what the weather, you can maintain continuous workouts when you have the right exercise equipment in your own home. It is a worthy investment when you consider the cost of getting sick with colds, flu and chronic diseases.

Exercising When You Have a Cold or Flu

Typically, the time to worry about exercising is before you catch a cold or flu. But what if you are already sick – can you still exercise? Moderate exercise can boost your immune system and is often safe when you have a mild cold or flu. However, keep in mind you should always listen to your body and stop if you feel tired. Medications such as decongestants can increase your heart rate, which also increases when you exercise. If you have heart palpitations, difficulty breathing and/or shortness or breath, you should not exercise. If you have questions about exercising with a cold or flu, talk to your doctor to see if it is alright. You might need to wait a few days to return to your regular exercise routine.

A healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a well-balanced diet and adequate sleep can help you ward off the germs that lead to colds and flu.