Are You Doing Too Much Cardio?
By Sara Butler
Exercise is good for you, especially aerobic exercise. Yes, walking, riding a bike, swimming, jogging, and even jumping rope are great ways to exercise your heart and lungs to ensure your continued health and wellness. But when does something that's healthy for you become too much? Here are a few clues that you may be taking your cardio workouts a little too far
You're Tired
Sure, everyone gets tired. But if you find that you feel as if you're constantly tired no matter how much you sleep or how much coffee you drink, then it might be due to too much cardio.
You must remember that exercise, even though it's good for your body, is perceived as a stressor. The more you do, the more stress you're putting your body under -- and everyone has a limit. You'll feel worn out and also more susceptible to injuries and illness when you do too much too fast.
Issues Sleeping
Many studies have found that regular exercise helps you to sleep better at night. But that benefit only holds true if you're doing the right amount of cardio because too much can make sleep hard to find at the end of the day.
When you're too gung-ho with the cardio, then it elevates your stress hormones for much longer than is healthy. This makes you more alert and increases your heart rate, which is great during exercise but not great when you're trying to get to sleep at night.
You Get Injured a Lot
If you've found that your exercise routine is resulting in pain or injury, then that's a sure sign that you're doing too much. If you don't vary your workout routine either, then that can be a recipe for overuse injuries that sideline your progress.
Pain in the feet, knees, hips, and lower back should not be ignored. Make sure to bring them to the attention of your chiropractor for an assessment and lighten up on your workout routine until you've recovered, then take steps to ensure you don't injure yourself again.
Exercise is healthy, but just as with everything else in life, it has its limits. You must find the sweet spot of exercise that helps you make the health gains you want without sacrificing your body or mind in the process. If you need some tips for balancing out your workouts, then talk to the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic today.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Orlando, Fla.