The Importance of Keeping Your Fitness Routine to Avoid Getting Sick

Have you ever settled into a fitness routine that feels right for you? If you have, that’s awesome. You know how good it feels to gain a sense of accomplishment that comes with sticking to your routine. Not only is it something to scratch off the to-do list, but the health benefits of working out are unrivaled. This is especially true for fighting off getting sick.

The Critical Value of Routine

No matter who you are or what you do, taking the initiative to work on your fitness is always a good idea. If you’ve never really found the right balance that works for you, don’t give up. I’ll tell you a little secret that helps me when I feel out of sorts with my routine.

A routine doesn’t need to equal structure all the time. It doesn’t need to look like heading to a fitness class or gym at the same time every day, sticking to a strict schedule, varying your methods—or any of the other ways others suggest are best. A fitness routine can consist of the simple act of showing up. Showing up for the integrity of your routine despite not feeling up to it has value.

I find that even if I’m undergoing a specific fitness program or challenge that requires a strict schedule, never skipping a day matters. Avoiding workouts on your off-days can be tragic for your momentum. Before you know it, it becomes easier and easier to dismiss or put off working out. Once you lose motivation, it can be difficult to get back.

This isn’t to say that you should just push through it if you’re feeling psychically ill, injured, or sore. All of these things require the body to repair and recover, which is what makes rest days so significant.

Routine is a substantial asset to your mind’s and body’s health. But even more so when viewed through the lens of avoiding getting sick.

How Fitness Fends Off Illness

Besides helping us to look and feel our best, fitness is a tool for our overall health. It can lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, and balance body weight. Maintaining a steady workout routine can boost immunity in the following ways.

• Improves circulation: Getting your blood and muscles pumping is a fantastic way to ensure that everything is running smoothly and functioning optimally. This will enable the best defense possible against sickness.
• Spikes metabolism: A strong immune system requires energy. Increased metabolism is a useful aid for an adequate defense.
• Limits stress: Exercise helps to fight current stress by enabling the release of positive neurotransmitters. Limiting stress is critical for avoiding getting sick because stress may lower the immune system.
• Reduces inflammation: Inflammation is present in many illnesses. Decreasing overall inflammation in the body is best for your immune system.
• Flushes toxins: Sweating out toxins is essential for immune defense. Sweat helps to drain the body of lymphatic fluid that gathers toxins that need to be released.

If the goal is to stop yourself from getting sick, sticking to a fitness routine is your friend.