4 Tips To Keep In Mind While Returning To Physical Activity After COVID-19

Just like after an injury or illness, returning to physical activity after COVID-19 should be done with extra care. This is because the infection has a lot of after-effects that can complicate things for your recovery. Your return to sports after COVID-19 guidelines will depend on the severity of the infection. It will also depend on your activity before COVID-19 infection.

You can talk to your doctors about when can you resume normal physical activity after COVID-19. They may give you guidelines as per your health conditions. They can also help you on how to build stamina after COVID-19 and advise you on related things. These may include whether or not you should be lifting weights after COVID-19 or doing any other strenuous activities. You can also start from incorporating some wellness tips that can help you. Read on to know about the most crucial tips on returning physical activity after COVID-19.

Don’t do it if you still have symptoms 

If you have wondered ‘how soon should I exercise after COVID-19’, the answer is after you stop showing symptoms like fatigue, fever, and shortness of breath. Note that it is best to avoid any post covid anxiety if you still have signs of COVID. If you exercise or play sports with an active infection, it may worsen the infection and cause complications. With an active infection, you even risk the spread of the infection to others. It is usually recommended that you wait for 7-10 days after you stop showing symptoms.

Take it slow 

After your symptoms stop, make sure you do not push your body too hard. Your body may have little or no stamina after COVID-19, and may need time to recover completely. This is why you should slowly add intensity to your workouts to build back your stamina. You can start simply by walking 1-2 kilometers a day to gradually build tolerance. Once you are comfortable with it, you can slowly increase the intensity and move to exercises like running and swimming. In this level, you can also start workouts on an elliptical machine or a stationary bike. However, don’t forget to consult your doctors before returning to physical activity after COVID-19. They can guide you in forming a routine that is not too much for your body. You will also need to closely monitor your vitals to make sure that you are not taking on more than your body can tolerate.

Pay attention to your health 

This is an important part of your return to sports after covid guidelines. COVID-19 can cause further complication which is why you need to pay extra attention to your health. It can also increase your risk of a heart condition, myocarditis [1]. Myocarditis is an inflammation that can affect your cardiac muscle. You should also be careful if you have prior health conditions, especially heart conditions. It is pertinent that you talk to your doctor before beginning any strenuous activity. If you start showing any signs of concern, take a break and contact your doctor immediately.

Be patient with yourself 

One of the most important tips on returning to physical activity after COVID-19  is to be patient with yourself. This is also applicable in any other physical activity. Since your body is healing, it may take some time to return to a normal routine. COVID-19 infection has different effects on different people. As a result, your progress may also differ from others. This patience allow you to heal properly and avoid any complications.

If you have a prolonged COVID-19, your return to exercise may be a little different. In any case, it is important that you pay attention to the signs your body may show. If you have any of the following symptoms, stop exercising immediately [2]: 

• Chest pain or palpitations 
• Nausea or discomfort 
• Lightheadedness or dizziness 
• Excess fatigue or sweat 
• Improper heart rates

Be sure to contact a doctor if you notice signs of concern. Now you can book a doctor consultation on Bajaj Finserv Health in minutes. Here you can address any of your health concerns with guidance from experts. Moreover, with their help, you can also find the optimum way of returning to physical activity after COVID-19.