then i read this and thought omg im allready seriously overtraining doing this postie job.
Whatever your age, fitness and training schedule we can all feel under attack during the winter months, with endless colds, the dreaded ‘24-hour bug’ or a dose of flu. One of the best ways to counter this onslaught is to keep your immune system fighting fit.
How healthy is your immune system?
* Do you get more than three colds a year?
* Do you find it hard to get rid of infections?
* Do you suffer from joint pains and fatigue?
* Do your glands in your neck, armpits or groin feel tender?
* Is your performance during training or competition failing?
* Do you suffer from an inflammatory disease such as eczema, asthma or arthritis?
* Do you have antibiotics at least once a year?
* Do you frequently suffer from respiratory symptoms?
* Do you get less than 5-7 hours of sleep each night?
* Do you suffer from allergies to certain foods?
If you answer YES to five or more of these questions, it’s time to focus on boosting your immune system.
Various factors can compromise our immunity including poor diet, nutritional deficiency, environmental pollution, stress and, yes, over-training. The good news is there are plenty of natural remedies to help.
1. Stop over-training
While moderate exercise can stimulate your own body’s defences (30-40 minutes 3-5 times a week), over-training can actually stress your immune system and deplete your body of key nutrients, particularly B vitamins and antioxidants. More is definitely not better – exercising too much means you’re not giving your body adequate time to recover. Early warning signs include illness, injuries and decreased performance. So take at least one day off exercising per week and ease up if you’re suffering from ongoing aches and pains.
