Overview:
Exercising in moderation is important for a healthy body. Over time, it improves your body’s performance and increases its strength and ability to endure a higher level of exercise. However, it is essential to balance sports, moving the body, and rest, to enable your body to recover after exercise and get the desired benefits. When you push your body, you harm your performance and health.
Over-exercising signs:
- Inability to maintain performance
- Needing longer rests
- Feeling tired
- Feeling depressed
- Mood swings or anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
- Pain in muscles and limbs
- Injuries due to excessive exercising
- Loss of motivation to exercise
- Having frequent colds
- Rapid weight loss
What to do if notice any of the signs above?
- Reduce the frequency of exercising or stop exercising altogether for a week or two.
- If your body is still tired after a week or two of rest, see a doctor. Your body may need more rest. You may need to stop exercising for a month. Your doctor will be able to determine how and when you can return to exercising.
How to avoid over-exercising?
- Make sure your calories intake matches the type of exercise you do.
- If you are participating in an athletic competition, limit special exercises and give your body enough rest.
- Drink plenty of water when you exercise.
- Get enough sleep. The amount of sleep you need depends on several factors (e.g. Age and health condition).
- Do not exercise in extremely hot or cold temperatures.
- Reduce exercising when you are tired or under mental stress (e.g. Work or family stress).
- Give your body at least 6 hours of rest between exercises and take one day of rest every week.