Should You Exercise When You Have Chronic Illness?

If You Have a Chronic Illness, You May Feel Like the Last Thing You Need is Exercise. But it Might Help!

Of course you know that you need to keep moving and stay active to keep well and healthy. But what happens when you have a chronic illness – can (and should) you still exercise?

The answer is Yes – but with certain conditions.

What is Chronic Illness?

A chronic illness is normally quite long-term, for example, an illness that lasts a year or longer. Chronic illness normally needs ongoing medical attention, and may limit your daily activities.

Should You Exercise when You Have a Chronic Illness?

Almost anyone at any age can do some form of activity, even if you have heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis or chronic pain. We’ll look at each of these below, but as a general rule, keeping active and exercising normally helps, and is safe, especially if you start off slowly if you need to.

Your doctor will be able to advise you on how your health condition may affect how you can stay active.

The Main Types of Exercise

Anything that gets you moving is good! Professionals often divide exercises into different types, and if it’s at all possible, you should always try to do a little of each type.

Flexibility exercises – from simple stretching to tai chi, yoga or Pilates – will help to relieve stiffness and give you more freedom of movement.

Strengthening exercises (or Resistance exercises) normally involve using some form of weights or your body weight to use your muscles so that they can support and protect your joints. Resistance bands and carrying groceries are also good.

Endurance exercises get you breathing, such as walking, swimming, biking, gardening and more. They keep your heart and arteries healthy.

Balance exercises improve your balance and become more important as you age. They focus mostly on your lower body and include standing on one foot, standing up from sitting, and the heel-toe walk.

Exercising with Osteoporosis

When you have brittle bones, you need weight-bearing exercises, which force you to work against gravity. Walking or dancing three to four times a week, as well as working with weights such as dumbbells, are perfect for building muscle and strengthening bones. Try some balance exercises, too, to help avoid falls, which could cause a broken bone.

Exercising with Type 2 Diabetes

Exercise really helps to keep your blood glucose levels under control. Try to walk each day, and set a goal to be active most days of the week. You can also stretch and do light weights during TV breaks, and walk around while you’re on the phone.

Exercising with COPD

If you have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) you’ll probably be advised to do specific exercises to help your arms and legs get stronger, as well as breathing exercises to make breathing easier.

Slash your stress!

Join this fun 5-day challenge – see how 5 super simple Yoga stretches can help you de-stress.  It’s FREE!

Click here to join

Exercising with chronic pain

Most people living with chronic pain can exercise safely – and keeping active can help with pain management. In fact, being INactive can sometimes lead to a cycle of more pain and loss of function.

Your doctor will advise you but essentially you should try to do a combination of all 4 types of exercise for best results.

BUT, listen to your body.

Don’t over-exercise on ‘good days’. If you have pain, swelling, or inflammation in a specific joint area, you may need to focus on another area for a day or two. If something doesn’t feel right or hurts, stop immediately and rest, or seek medical advice if required.

Exercise and heart health with chronic illness

Your heart keeps your body going. Your heart changes over time, and as you age it makes sense to eat healthier food, maintain a healthy weight and keep active. Inactive people are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who are active. Being physically active is one of the most important things you can do to keep your heart healthy.

Exercising with arthritis

Exercise can help to reduce joint pain and stiffness. Try to do flexibility exercises (e.g. stretches) to keep your joints moving and give you more freedom of movement. If possible, add in some strengthening exercises so that your muscles can support and protect your joints better.

For endurance exercises, try activities that don’t put weight on your joints – swimming and biking are good examples.

You may need to avoid some types of activity when your joints are swollen or inflamed. If you have pain in a specific joint area, for example, you may need to focus on another area for a day or two.

Please Share this post  –  it’s easy – sharing buttons on the right!

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Warm regards,

P.S.  Don’t forget to join the 5-day Yoga to De-Stress Challenge –  it’s fun! You’ll be glad you did.  Click here to join – it’s FREE!