Alternative names
Flu and exercise; Colds and exercise

Information

Question:
Can exercise help you avoid colds and flus?

Answer:
Yes. At least one study suggests that regular exercise can cut in half the number of days a person suffers from colds and the flu. Exercise stimulates the disease-fighting white blood cells in the body to move from the organs into the bloodstream. Overall, you can improve your immune system by eating a proper diet, getting sufficient rest, reducing stress, and exercising regularly. This will decrease your chances of getting a cold or the flu.