doing homework while sick

Tips for Staying Caught Up on Homework While Sick

On January 24, 2024, I woke up with a headache and a 99.4 temperature. I did not have a class that day until 11 a.m., so I waited to see if it would go down. Long story short, I had the flu, and missed a week’s worth of assignments. Even as I was sick in bed, watching plenty of movies, what stayed on my mind the most was the homework that I needed to catch up on.

It is important to maintain an up-to-date status on schoolwork, even when sick. When students are ill, their mindset is typically on trying to get better, and justifiably so. However, that results in students having to make up work after they get back, on top of having to do all of the work that is assigned after they make their return. However, through this entire process, there are some things that students can do in order to work through their period of medical misfortune.

• Get in Contact with Your Teachers

Believe it or not, teachers want to do everything they can to help you succeed! Even though different teachers have different policies on late work, if you are sick, they will almost always aid you however they can. In an interview with one of SNU’s faculty members, Melany Kyzer, Ph. D., expressed how even though she does not accept late work, “if a student communicates with me ahead of time, I will work with them.” Even though it is wise to make sure your work is finished in a timely manner, teachers will give grace on assignments as needed, allowing for the best results to be produced.

• Work On What You Can

When I was out with the flu, my condition went up and down, and I certainly had days in which I felt better than others. On those days, I worked on homework. However, it is still important for the body to rest, so do not overwork yourself. I would recommend doing one normal-sized or two smaller assignments on the days in which you feel better in order to make some progress while still allowing yourself some rest.

Speaking of resting, this is the most surefire way to get better. Even though students are stressed about the assignments they may have to do when they get back, the best way to get back is to rest your body and mind. This could take many forms, whether it be watching movies, doing a relaxing activity, or just sleeping your sickness off. Doing this will not only allow you to be at your best when you return to school but also possibly speed up the healing process as well.

It is difficult to be able to complete every assignment that is given out while a student is out for multiple days, or in my case, a full week of class. However, these tips can help to reduce the problem that comes from being sick. It allows students to lighten their load for when they get back while also obtaining some grace from their teachers and letting their bodies heal from whatever sickness afflicts them. Being sick is certainly a pain, but it should not keep students from excelling in the classroom or being the best version of themselves that they can be.

Photo by Kristine Wook on Unsplash

• Student Life
• Campus Jobs

Tips for Academic Success If You Are Sick

1. An Early Start:

Starting your studies early can be beneficial in two ways: 1) you will have more time to prepare for the exam(s) and 2) you’ll be better able to deal with any pop-up symptoms.

2. Move It to the Bunk:

Admit it, your bed is about ten times more comfortable than that table you always sit at in the UGLI. Studying from the comfort of your home gives you the access to all your meds and the edge to  take a break any time you need to. Sleeping between study sessions helps retain information too!

3. Fuel the H2O Tank:

Replenishing your body with water keeps you alive and more importantly, makes you feel less tired. The recommended dose is 64 ounces per day, which is equivalent to 8 cups of 8 ounces, 16 cups of 4 ounces, 32 cups of 2 ounces… well you get the point. Water also energizes your muscles, keeps your skin looking great, and will kick your sickness faster!

4. Eat, Study, Sleep, Repeat:

Alternating between hitting the books and shutting eyes is the most efficient method for studying while sick; it allows you to be fully immersed in your studies after a good night’s sleep. By minimizing your outside extracurriculars, you can save energy and time, devoting both to helping you recover faster and studying more efficiently.

5. Don’t Get Sick:

This may just be the easiest (or hardest) tip to follow. If you have about $800 to spare, grab yourself a winter coat from Moncler or Canada Goose. Otherwise just befriend someone who owns two (or more). Drink fluids, rest, stay healthy, and GO BLUE!

Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to stay healthy, the cold and flu season can knock us on our backs. If you find yourself in a bind this winter, remember that the Dean of Students Office provides support services if you’re experiencing a major interruption, and University Health Services is a great resource too!

Contributed By: Eric Gao

How to Study when Sick: Tips for the Freshman Flu

Introduction weeks are over, classes are about to start and the freshman flu lurks in hidden corners. While being sick is a chore, falling ill right at the start of the school year can be a major setback. It's safe to say that runny noses and fever dreams don't help with productivity. But who says that finals can't rhyme with the flu? If you're like me and happen to be both bed and book-ridden here are a couple of tips to get you through your first couple weeks of classes.

Pomodoro it

The Pomodoro method consists of working in 4 sets of 25 min with a 5min break in between each round and a longer break ranging from 15 to 30 min after 4 sets. The division of the Pomodoro into 25/5/15 is completely up to you. Many people customize their Pomodoro timing to best fit their workflow. The most important aspect is that alternation between mid-sized work sessions and short breaks which can keep you focused on the task at hand for longer. What makes the Pomodoro Method perfect for studying when sick is that each task is naturally divided into feasible increments. You can even take 5 min naps during your breaks! Check out the best timers for the Pomodoro method in our article about improving study habits .

Yeah, it's tempting to stay holed up in your room surrounded by textbooks and/or tissues. However, sometimes a breath of fresh air is exactly what you need to get some energy. Just taking a 5 min walk (bonus points if it's during your Pomodoro break) can help clear your head and potentially your sinuses. If you don't feel like going outside, take some time to stretch and relax your muscles. Exercise is a great way to get your blood flowing which will make you feel better.

Drink some water

I'm pretty sure that water is in every listicle out there from dealing with skincare to depression but it's worth the emphasis: don't forget to drink water and stay hydrated! Water helps produce saliva and mucus which are both very handy when fighting a sore throat or a dry nose. Water also helps regulate your body temperature. Our bodies are 60% water so it's needless to say that it plays a vital role in the basic maintenance of our bodies. No matter the pace you've decided to study at you need to stay hydrated in order to maintain said pace and eventually get better.

Proactively study

When you're sick, you don't have the leisure to passively intake information and hope it sticks. Start by dividing all you have to study into small realizable steps and ordering them by priority. This will help you get through the day without feeling overwhelmed. Make flashcards and test yourself on key terms. Instead of repeatedly reading information, by writing it down you engage with the material in a different way. Have a group video call where you explain and present some of the information with your friends. Again, this is another way of engaging with the material: if you can explain a concept well then you probably know it. Don't focus as much on rote memorization as much as contextualized understanding.

Healthy snacks

Studying and being sick are both physically draining activities that when combined tend to have a negative effect on each other. Along with water, food is what will get you through a last-minute cram session without crashing. Why healthy? Though it is tempting to eat your exhaustion and stress away, you do still need to take care of yourself. Food is fuel so you'll need the best kind if you plan to study when sick.

A cozy environment may induce napping but comfort is always worth it. Grab some tea, coffee or hot water, blankets and whatever painkillers you're on to create an environment that's both studious and soothing. Studying when you're sick is hard enough. There's no need to make it worse by sitting at a badly lit desk for 5 hours straight surrounded by empty packets of tissues. Create a space you want to be and study there.

So you've written 5 to-do lists, went boxing, ate some carrots, drank 5L of water, incarnated hygge and you still don't feel okay... what now? Most of the time students are victims of the belief that every occasion is the last. If you're too sick to study and can't make it to class then don't go. There's no point in worsening your physical and mental health for something that definitely won't impact your life as much as you think it will. You can take resits, or ask for an extension or even god forbid take that class again. Nothing is worth ruining your health for, not even the illusion of a college degree.

If it's really bad, don't forget to take advantage of your health insurance and go to a doctor. Don't have Dutch health insurance yet? Check out Swisscare International Student Insurance if you’re a student within the EU/EEA.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

I agree to College Life's  Privacy Policy .

Table of contents

Learning a Local Language: 24 Essential Benefits

Best eSIMs in the Netherlands [2024] 

How to Buy a Dutch SIM Card in the Netherlands [2024]

How To Study When You Are Sick – A Guide

Welcome to the cold and flu season! Yup, it’s that time of year again, and all your friends are sick, will get sick, or are recovering from being sick. Let me help you keep your head in the game even though it feels like your head is going to explode.

Here is my 6-step plan to help you study effectively while you are sick:

25 Study Tips to Improve Your Academic Performance

Before we get started, if you are looking to improve your writing, you should really check out Grammarly . Grammarly is a godsend for those who have to write term papers, dissertations, or anything else you write that needs to be grammatically correct. Grammarly doesn’t just check grammar either. It helps you to write clearly and effectively by checking for overused words and unclear phrases. Best of all, Grammarly has a great free tier to get started with. For more information on Grammarly, click the link below:

The Ultimate Study Tools You Must Use to Succeed!

Let’s Dig In

Step #1: assess yourself and administer care.

Hint: If you have a fever, call the doctor and then go back to bed.

The number one thing your body needs while it is trying to heal is sleep . So, feel free, no, feel obligated to take a nap when your body is telling you it needs rest. In fact, if you feel like you could catch a few Zs right now, I encourage you to do that. Secondly, your body needs water. In a world filled with sugary drinks, chances are, you are already semi-dehydrated. Take the next few days to drink only water, hot tea (skip the sugar and use honey as a sweetener for its antibacterial properties) and orange juice (yay vitamin C!). Lastly, you need to take some medicine. If you have a sore throat or a cough, get some cough drops ; if you have a headache and stuffy nose, get some cold/sinus medicine; if your stomach is the problem, get some Pepto; whatever is bothering you, take something to help soothe it. Hopefully, you already have some medicine, but if not, get some, and if at all possible, use Postmates or call a friend to deliver it; you really just need to stay at home.

Step #2: Clear your schedule

Step #3: take a shower, get comfy and re-administer care.

Whew! If you are anything like me, clearing your schedule probably took a whole lot of effort , and you are ready for a break. Now is a great time to take a long hot shower. There is nothing better to open up all your clogged sinuses than all that steam. Plus, getting clean just makes you feel better regardless of the situation. Don’t take a lazy shower . I know you don’t feel like it, but make sure you wash your hair, face, and body; and make sure you take a moment to just relax under the hot water and breath in the steam. Once you’re finished, get out, brush your teeth, and indulge in an extended skincare routine or at least moisturize your face (your nose will thank you).

Now that you are so clean and so fresh get dressed in your comfiest clothes. Whether you prefer some flannel pajamas and fuzzy slippers, or a fleece sweatsuit with bare feet just make yourself comfy. By this time, you might need to take some more medicine, so check on that, but either way, go ahead and drink another cup of water and if you can, eat something . Your body is working extra hard to fight your sickness and thus expending more energy than normal; therefore, it is important to keep getting some calories for your body to turn into energy so that it can keep fighting. 

Step #4: Collect All of Your Supplies

You already know, you need your book, notebook, water, snack, highlighters, pens, etc. For the next few days, you also need things like Vaseline (to protect your nose from all of the tissues), vapor rub, tissues, cough drops, and a trashcan (for all your tissues and cough drop wrappers). Try to think of all the things that help you feel better and have it set out before you sit down to study . If you do end up having to stop for something, just make sure you bring it back to your study spot for next time. By the end of the first day, you should have all of your necessities close at hand. 

The first day of being sick is usually pretty rough. I f you need to take a nap at this point, definitely do that, and when you are ready to study, all you have to do is take a seat and get to work.

Step #5: Work in Small Increments on the Easiest Stuff First

If you are having a hard time sticking to only 30 minutes of study time, try to break down your studying into smaller, bite-sized chunks . For example, if you have vocab to learn, pull out your flashcards and study them for the 30 minutes or read one chapter without taking notes and then go back and take notes on your next 30-minute round. Remember that you will probably be moving slower than normal, so don’t be discouraged if you are unable to read a full 100 pages before your time is up. Just take your break, refresh, and go at it again.

Step #6: Re-administer Care

I said this repeatedly because I always forget to stay medicated. I used to never take medicine; I was raised just to tough it out, and I guess it just stuck with me. Until I moved into my first apartment with my best friend. Shortly after that, I had to find a way to function through a hangover and became extremely close with Tylenol and Gatorade. But even then, I’d take a few pills only once; when I first woke up. But just trust me, if you take your medicine every 2-4 hours (whatever it says on the bottle), you will begin to feel exponentially better as the day goes on, and that will help you study longer , and later, it will help you sleep better.

Remember to Take Care of Yourself First

My hope is that after this bout with whatever sickness it is that you have, you will choose to prepare yourself better for next time. What I mean by that is, if you aren’taren’t already taking care of yourself, you should start now.

Preventative measures

Here are some easy ways to help protect yourself from and prepare your body for cold and flu season and to improve your overall health.

Want More Tips and Tricks? Subscribe to our Newsletter!

If you haven’t already subscribed, please subscribe to The Productive Engineer newsletter. It is filled with tips and tricks on how to get the most out of the productivity apps you use every day. We hate spam as much as you do and promise only to send you stuff we think will help you get things done.

Check Out Our YouTube Channel!

We have a YouTube channel now and we are working hard to fill it with tips, tricks, how-tos, and tutorials. Click the link below to check it out!

link to our YouTube page

Check out our Resources page

Similar posts, zettelkasten for students – a complete guide, microsoft to-do app for macos – an illustrated guide, the best study methods to retain information, how to embed loom video in notion guide, how to create a project tracker in notion for mac, how to bullet journal using notion with screenshots.

7 Tips to Help You Study When You’re Sick

• Post author: Master Student
• Post last modified: June 14, 2022
• Post category: Study Tips

It’s the middle of finals week and you’re feeling sick as a dog. You have a fever, your head hurts, and you can’t seem to stop sneezing. What do you do? When you’re feeling under the weather, the last thing you want to do is crack open a textbook. But if you have an upcoming test or exam, you may not have a choice. In this blog post, we will discuss how to study when you’re sick taken from our comprehensive post on how to make the most of your studying time !

Proven Ways to Increase Study Productivity When You’re Sick:

• Start studying as soon as you wake up
• Drink lots of water
• Eat healthily
• Get lots of sleep
• Take Tylenol/Advil
• Visit the doctor if it gets serious
• Talk to your teacher

Start studying as soon as you wake up:

When you’re sick, the first thing you want to do is curl up in bed and take a long nap. But if you have an exam to study for, it’s important to get started on your studying as soon as possible. That way, you can get it out of the way and have the rest of the day to rest.

Despite being sick, the morning will still be the best time for you to focus and retain information. As the day progresses, you will become more and more tired, your symptoms will get worse, and your concentration will start to waver. So make sure to set your alarm, get out of bed, and start studying!

Drink lots of water:

Staying hydrated is key when you’re sick.  It will help your body fight off the infection and keep your energy levels up.

Drink lots of water and avoid sugary drinks like soda or juice. Hot tea is also a great way to soothe your throat and keep your body hydrated.

Not only will staying hydrated help you feel better, but it will also help you focus and concentrate while you’re studying. When your body is properly hydrated, your brain functions better. So make sure to drink up!

Eat healthily:

It’s tempting to just order a pizza when you’re sick. But eating junk food will only make you feel worse.

Instead, try to eat healthy foods that will give your body the nutrients it needs to fight off the infection.

Some great foods to eat when you’re sick include:

• fruits and vegetables

Eating healthy foods will help you feel better and give your body the energy it needs to study. So make sure to stock up on soup, fruits, and vegetables next time you’re feeling under the weather!

Get lots of sleep:

When you’re sick, your body needs to rest in order to heal.

Make sure to get lots of sleep and take naps when you can. The more rested you are, the better you’ll be able to focus and study.

Take Tylenol/Advil:

Tylenol, aka acetaminophen, and Advil, aka ibuprofen, are both over-the-counter medications that can help relieve pain and fever.

If you’re feeling particularly sick, these medications can help you feel better and make it easier to focus on your studies.

If you’re looking to get cheap versions of either of these drugs, purchase the generic versions. They work just as well!

Visit the doctor if it gets serious:

If your symptoms are severe or if you’re not feeling any better after a few days, it’s time to visit the doctor.

They will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and prescribe medication if necessary. It doesn’t matter if you miss out on vital studying time. As much as an exam is important, your first priority should always be your health!

Talk to your teacher:

Oftentimes, students are too afraid to talk to their teachers about being sick. They think that their teachers will be mad at them or that they won’t understand. But the truth is, most teachers are actually very understanding.

If you’re sick and you think it will affect your performance on an exam, talk to your teacher. They may be able to give you an extension or help you make up the exam at a later date.

Don’t suffer in silence! Talk to your teacher and let them know what’s going on.

You Might Also Like

9 ways to convince someone to study, how to write an effective essay: the ultimate guide, spaced repetition: a comprehensive guide, leave a reply cancel reply.

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Happiness Hub Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• Happiness Hub
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Study Skills
• Homework Skills

How to Get Homework Done when You Don't Want To

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden . Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 252,335 times.

Homework can be a drag, but it's got to be done to keep your grades up and stay on track during school. Going somewhere quiet, making a plan, and giving yourself breaks can all help you stay focused and on task to get your work done quickly. Try to keep your assignments organized and give yourself credit for completing hard or boring work, even if you didn’t want to.

Getting Motivated

• Keep a list of your assignments and check them off as you finish them. This can give you a sense of accomplishment that can motivate you to keep going.

• Make it the rule that you work for a certain amount of time, or until a certain amount of work has been accomplished. Afterward, you can hang out. Stick to this schedule.
• Try this out and see if it works. If you're too distracted by having friends around, make a date to hang out after homework instead.

• Make sure you keep the competition to yourself. Competing with your friends isn’t fun, especially over homework assignments and grades.

• Learning something that will probably help with future assignments, even if you don't know what they are yet.
• Proving to your teacher that you understand the homework so that they don’t keep assigning it over and over.
• Improving your GPA.
• Getting a good grade.

• Try not to reward yourself with food, as that can lead to snacking when you aren’t really hungry.

Staying Focused

• For instance, tell yourself that if you finish your first assignment in 20 minutes, you can go on your phone for 5 minutes.

• Make sure you stand up and do something when it's your break, or you won't get your wiggles out.
• Set a timer on your phone or use a kitchen timer to let yourself know when it's time to switch tasks.

• If you don't have control over the subject, try to find connections between the topic and something you care about. Find aspects of the subject that interest you.
• For instance, if you have to study History but you care the most about fashion, investigate the styles of the times and places you are studying. Learn how political and economical developments changed the way people dressed.

• You can find playlists on Spotify and YouTube that are made for studying and doing homework.

• When you're struggling to focus, sign out of your email and all social media so you don't check them as a reflex.

Creating Good Study Habits

• If you have many textbooks and worksheets, stack them and put them to the side.
• Get things like pencils, erasers, calculators, rulers, and paper.

• Having a planner will make it less tempting to procrastinate, as long as you have broken up your studying into manageable chunks.
• Your planner can be paper, or you can get one on your phone. Just make sure it has space for task lists as well as events.
• Once you have completed a task, cross it off or put a check next to it. Seeing that you're getting your work done will make you feel better, which in turn will motivate you to keep up the good work.
• Don't put more than you can do in one day on a list! Split up your week's work so that every day has a manageable amount.

• If you have a job or extracurricular activities that change your daily schedule, determine a weekly schedule that you stick to as much as possible.

• Sometimes just explaining what you have to do will help you understand it better.
• Talking to another person is a great way to brainstorm ideas. They may ask you questions or provide comments that can help you organize your ideas.
• Other times, the person you are talking to will notice something about the prompt that you overlooked.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

• Try asking a family member to help you remember when to start your assignments so you don’t forget. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2
• If you’re really struggling with a topic, consider going to a tutor for extra help. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2
• Getting motivated can be tough. Just try your best, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2

Tips from our Readers

• Set up a dedicated study area at home with your needed supplies, to establish a consistent homework routine. Having everything in one prepared place helps minimize distractions.
• Use a planner to schedule out all your assignments. Break them into small, manageable pieces so it's less overwhelming. Checking tasks off as you finish motivates you along.
• If completely stuck on an assignment, reach out and talk it through with someone. Verbalizing it can provide new insights to move forward.
• Take short activity breaks every 45 minutes. Get up, stretch, grab some water. It refreshes your mental focus so you stay engaged.
• Incorporate a fun personal interest into an assignment when possible. Writing about something you care about keeps you absorbed.
• When you really need to concentrate, eliminate enticing distractions like your phone. Logging out keeps you on track.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://hwpi.harvard.edu/files/comm/files/smarttalk_staff_guide.pdf
• ↑ http://www.wcsu.edu/housing/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2018/05/Handout-V6N6.pdf
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/worry-wise/201410/how-prevent-homework-procrastination
• ↑ Ashley Pritchard, MA. Academic & School Counselor. Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/organize-focus.html?WT.ac=p-ra#
• ↑ https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sites/default/files/homework_tips.pdf
• ↑ https://childmind.org/article/strategies-to-make-homework-go-more-smoothly/
• ↑ http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html#

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Jan 10, 2019

Did this article help you?

Emily Chambers

Oct 8, 2018

Hermione Granger

Apr 11, 2016

Skylar Baird

Nov 29, 2016

Oct 28, 2016

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Choose Your Test

• Search Blogs By Category
• College Admissions
• AP and IB Exams
• GPA and Coursework

How to Do Homework: 15 Expert Tips and Tricks

Coursework/GPA

Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

• A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
• A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
• A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

• If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
• If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
• If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
• If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

• A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
• B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
• C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

• Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
• Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
• Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
• Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Trending Now

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Get Your Free

Find Your Target SAT Score

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing

How to Improve Your Low SAT Score

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading and Writing

Find Your Target ACT Score

Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer

Get a 36 on ACT English

Get a 36 on ACT Math

Get a 36 on ACT Reading

Get a 36 on ACT Science

How to Improve Your Low ACT Score

Get a 24 on ACT English

Get a 24 on ACT Math

Get a 24 on ACT Reading

Get a 24 on ACT Science

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by consumers.

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

We don’t recognize that sign in. Your username maybe be your email address. Passwords are 6-20 characters with at least one number and letter.

We still don’t recognize that sign in. Retrieve your username. Reset your password.

Forgot your username or password ?

Don’t have an account?

• Account Settings
• My Benefits
• My Products
• Donate Donate

Save products you love, products you own and much more!

Other Membership Benefits:

Suggested Searches

• Become a Member

Car Ratings & Reviews

2024 Top Picks

Car Buying & Pricing

Which Car Brands Make the Best Vehicles?

Tires, Maintenance & Repair

Car Reliability Guide

Key Topics & News

Listen to the Talking Cars Podcast

Home & Garden

Bed & Bath

Top Picks From CR

Best Mattresses

Lawn & Garden

TOP PICKS FROM CR

Best Leaf Blowers

Home Improvement

Home Improvement Essential

Best Wood Stains

Home Safety & Security

HOME SAFETY

Best DIY Home Security Systems

SURVEY RESULTS

Most and Least Reliable Refrigerators

Small Appliances

Best Small Kitchen Appliances

Laundry & Cleaning

Best Washing Machines

Heating, Cooling & Air

Best Air Purifiers

Electronics

Home Entertainment

FIND YOUR NEW TV

Home Office

Cheapest Printers for Ink Costs

Smartphones & Wearables

BEST SMARTPHONES

Find the Right Phone for You

Digital Security & Privacy

MEMBER BENEFIT

CR Security Planner

Take Action

Send this info to a friend

Does working while you are sick make you sicker?

A man who's supposed to work five days a week only ever turns up for four. So, he gets paid for four. "Why do you only work a four-day week, Joe?" his boss asks him. "Because I can't manage on three," replies Joe.

Sick leave is an important issue. No one is healthy all the time, but there are no federal legal requirements for paid sick leave . If people work when ill, they may be more likely to make mistakes, which could be dangerous. There's also the risk of passing an illness on to coworkers, which could be a big deal as we face outbreaks of swine flu .

Even so, sick leave tends to be discussed in pretty simplistic terms. Businesses talk about the money they lose through absenteeism, and web sites offer workers tips about how to fake a sick day.

But research from Denmark says taking time off when you're sick may protect you from more serious illness. The researchers thought that by turning up to work while sick, employees might not give their bodies enough of a chance to recover properly from illness. They asked nearly 12,000 workers how often they went into work while feeling unwell.

During the previous year, about 42 percent of workers said they'd never gone into work feeling sick, or had only done it once. Another 50 percent had gone to work feeling sick between two and five times, and 8 percent had done it six times or more.

Over the next year and a half, the researchers checked which employees had records of long periods of sick leave (two weeks or more). They found that people who went to work while sick had a higher risk of being off sick for at least two weeks during the study.

It's possible that people were making themselves sicker by not taking time to recover, but there could be other explanations. If someone has poor health, they might not want to stay home from work every time they get sick. That type of person might struggle into work more often, and may also be more likely to take longer periods off of work. Another possibility is that people who go to work when sick are generally less careful about their health, and more likely to get seriously ill in the future.

Whether you take a sick day depends on the physical demands of your job, the financial implications and how seriously ill you are. The research so far doesn't give a definite answer about whether working when sick can be harmful, but it's a possibility.

The CDC currently recommends you stay home if you get sick with the flu.

What you need to know. It's not certain that working when sick can lead to health problems in the long run, but it is a possibility. If you have flu symptoms , stay home.

— Philip Wilson, patient editor, BMJ Group

ConsumerReportsHealth.org has partnered with The BMJ Group to monitor the latest medical research and assess the evidence to help you decide which news you should use.

Keep up to date with our swine-flu coverage and recommendations .

E-mail Newsletters

Health News

University of South Florida

Main Navigation

New study finds working while sick actually harms productivity and retention

• September 13, 2024

Research and Innovation

By: Cassidy Delamarter , University Communications and Marketing

Claire Smith, assistant professor

Have you ever dragged yourself to work when you were feeling sick because you felt you had no other choice? You’re not alone. A new study from the University of South Florida reveals that it’s not just personal drive pushing employees to work while under the weather, but a hidden pressure from workplace culture.

Claire Smith , USF assistant professor of psychology , has dubbed these workplace cultures “presenteeism pressure” in her recent study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology. The study highlights how organizations unknowingly encourage employees to power through physical or mental illness, potentially leading to long-term negative effects on both health and productivity.

“Many organizations are putting pressure on employees to show up to work no matter what, and they aren’t fully aware that presenteeism is usually more costly over the long-term compared to absenteeism,” Smith said.

To explore this phenomenon, Smith developed the Presenteeism Pressure Scale through a multi-phase study involving four samples of nearly 1,600 working adults. The scale provides a validated measure that companies and researchers can use to assess employees’ perceptions of organizational pressure to engage in presenteeism.

The results confirmed that presenteeism pressure significantly shapes employees' attendance behaviors, while simultaneously impacting workplace health and organizational success.

When employees feel presenteeism pressure, they start to see the organization in a negative light – interpreting it as a lack of care for their well-being, leading to lower satisfaction and greater intent to leave the organization. According to Harvard Business Review, the pressure to work while sick costs companies as much as $150 billion annually due to lost productivity and increased deviant behaviors, such as theft and mistreatment of coworkers.

Smith said employers should consider revisiting strict or controlling attendance policies and  “always there” norms to ensure presenteeism is not the default expectation. Doing so would be mutually beneficial for both the company and its employees by improving  employee health and organizational function. With the Presenteeism Pressure Scale as a tool, companies can measure and manage these influences, striving to create healthier, more productive workplaces. In the future, Smith plans to expand this research to examine unique experiences of presenteeism pressure for remote workers.

“We have a new workforce post-pandemic that is really aware of and interested in their health and work-life balance, so I do think creating healthier, more productive workplaces is going to become more and more important,” Smith said.

Return to article listing

Cassidy Delamarter , College of Arts and Sciences , MyUSF

News Archive

Learn more about USF's journey to Preeminence by viewing Newsroom articles from past years.

USF in the News

Bay news 9: usf engineering students return home after spending summer working alongside nasa.

September 1, 2024

CNN: Ancient humans built a bridge inside a cave on Mallorca nearly 6,000 years ago

August 30, 2024

Associated Press: A centuries-old cemetery for people who were enslaved is reclaimed in New York

The independent: norway vikings found to be much more violent than previously thought.

August 29, 2024

More USF in the News

How Bad Is It Really to Work From Home When You're Sick?

How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy.

Working remotely has its perks: You can avoid a crappy commute, wear pajama pants during meetings and sneak in a workout during your lunch hour. But when the line between your home and the office becomes blurred, there are also some possible downsides too.

Advertisement

Perhaps the most damaging drawback: Many people with remote jobs feel the pressure to perform around the clock, even if they aren't feeling well.

Video of the Day

In fact, 66 percent of Americans who work from home report that their bosses would disapprove of taking a sick day for any ailment less serious than COVID-19, according to a 2020 poll commissioned by ColdCalm , a cold medicine company.

And this stress to impress employers has clearly affected employees' decisions when it comes to sick days. The same survey also found that 67 percent of respondents were less likely to skip a day of work when sick, while seven in 10 have already pushed themselves to power through the workday when ill.

But what are the repercussions of toughing out a terrible cold or fighting the flu while working remotely?

Here, medical experts explore how working from home when you're sick can sabotage your health (now and in the future) ‌ and ‌ prevent you from being productive on the job too.

4 Risks of Working From Home When You're Sick

1. it doesn’t allow you the rest you need to recover.

"When our bodies are sick, they are spending a lot of energy fighting off the infection and trying to recover," says Laura Purdy, MD, MBA , a board-certified family medicine physician.

But if you choose to work from home, you deprive your body of the rest it needs to repair, Dr. Purdy says.

Indeed, sleep is a pivotal part of the healing process. Here's why: When you snooze, your immune system produces protective proteins called cytokines (which help fight infection and inflammation) as well as antibodies, according to the Mayo Clinic .

So if you're skimping on essential slumber to slog through a meeting, you're essentially decreasing your immune system's defenses and possibly extending the length of your illness.

2. It Can Be Stressful

"If you're trying to keep up with your workload, but you're not as clear thinking or energetic as usual," the normal demands of your daily routine can feel especially stressful, Dr. Purdy says.

And adding more stress to the mix — which can cause inflammation in the body — is not ideal when you have an impaired immune system that's already struggling to fend off an infection.

Put another way: Pushing yourself when you're ill can disrupt your bioenergetic state and place your body in a stress state, says Kien Vuu, MD , host of ‌ The Thrive State Podcast. ‌

If you're too stressed, your cells won't function optimally, and your immune system will be less able to counteract a foreign invader such as a virus or bacteria, Dr. Vuu says.

3. You Won’t Perform at Your Best

Real talk: No one does their best work when they're under the weather.

"When you're sick, especially, if you have a severe illness, it can be hard to concentrate and focus on the task at hand," Dr. Purdy says. Not only will your productivity likely decline but the quality of your work will take a hit too, she says.

Dr. Vuu agrees: Powering though the workday if you feel poorly can prevent peak performance. "There's a point in time when there are diminishing returns," he says. When you're feeling frail and fatigued, you can't cognitively perform at your best or activate your flow state. And this is when you tend to make mistakes, he adds.

Case in point: more than half of people reported their work performance suffered "considerably" when they worked from home while sick, according to the same ColdCalm poll.

4. You Can Burn Out in the Long Run

When you work remotely, there's often no clear distinction between your office space and your home. And this can make it hard to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially for high performers and overachievers, Dr. Purdy says.

Which is why it can be all too tempting for people to tough it out from home even when they feel terrible. But making this a habit can be harmful.

"Over time, if there are poor boundaries and little separation between your work life and home life, it can lead to burnout and disengagement," Dr. Purdy says. And this ultimately results in decreased quality of output, she adds.

Dr. Vuu agrees that a good balance is necessary not only for better productivity in the long term but also to optimize health and achieve a thrive state.

When our body is in homeostasis, our cells are functioning at their best and can more effectively manage outside threats such as viruses or bacteria, he says.

But if you have a mentality like, ‌ I'll sleep when this project is over ‌ or ‌ I'll just relax on my annual vacation ‌, you're overstressing your body, which won't have the right amount of energy for health and healing.

And not allowing your body to recover and repair when you're run-down can increase your risk of feeling sick in the future.

That's what a June 2009 study in the ‌ Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health ‌ concluded. People who repeatedly went to work ill (more than six times in a year) had a 74 percent greater chance of having a long-term absence (for two months or more) due to sickness down the road.

In the long run, pushing your body like this can lead to chronic inflammation and disease, Dr. Vuu says.

It's true. Research demonstrates that chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of serious illness such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, according to Harvard Health Publishing .

What's more, this type of burnout not only affects you physically but also mentally. A June 2014 study in the ‌ Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine ‌ found that working while sick may significantly increase your risk for depression.

7 Tips for Better Sleep When You’re Sick

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Staying Healthy When You’re Feeling Under the Weather

The Best and Worst Foods to Eat When You're Sick

Signs you’re too sick to work from home.

"If you listen to your body, you will know whether it is safe or healthy for you to try to work through an illness," Dr. Purdy says.

In other words, don't ignore your body's signals, which can help you know when it's time to call it quits and take a proper sick day.

"I would definitely recommend avoiding work if you are severely sleep deprived, or have a very high fever, extreme fatigue, nausea or vomiting," Dr. Purdy says.

Similarly, severe body aches, lack of appetite and hounding headaches may also indicate that it's time to close shop and shut down your computer, Dr. Vuu says.

In these cases, focus on getting plenty of rest, hydrating frequently with fluids and, if possible, eating nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods, he says.

Is It Ever OK to Work From Home When You’re Sick?

"This is something that every person must decide for themselves," Dr. Purdy says. "Sometimes I still work from home if I am slightly under the weather, but only if I am feeling up to it. If I have a fever, I am so sick that I slept poorly the night before or I am really struggling, I will take the day off."

Dr. Vuu agrees that the decision also depends on how ill you are. For example, if your symptoms are mild — say, you have a runny nose but otherwise you still have an appetite, and your energy is good — you could still do most of your work from home, he says.

The type of work you do — how physically, mentally or emotionally demanding it is — should also factor into your decision, he says. Again, you want to avoid adding more stress to your life when you're sick.

"Another alternative is to designate yourself as 'out of office' but work on some projects individually if you feel that you have the energy to do so," Dr. Purdy adds. This way, you can work at your own pace and stop whenever you're feeling too unwell.

So, How Bad Is It Really to Work From Home When You’re Sick?

If you have a mild case of the sniffles, you're probably in the clear to continue working from home. But forcing yourself to perform when you're unfit to work is futile both for your productivity and your health.

By giving yourself the time you need to rest when you're sick, you'll have a speedier recovery and, ultimately, it will allow you to have better output at work, Dr. Purdy says.

Dr. Vuu agrees we should put more focus on recovery and taking care of ourselves. This will enable you to show up and do your best at work and at home with your family and relationships, he says.

The bottom line: "There's no shame in taking a day off for illness," Dr. Purdy says.

How Bad Is It Really to Swallow Pills Without Water?

How Bad Is It Really to Hold in a Sneeze?

How Bad Is It Really to Use Hand Sanitizer All the Time?

• Mayo Clinic: “Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick?”
• Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health: “Sick at Work — A Risk Factor for Long-Term Sickness Absence at Later Date”
• Harvard Health Publishing: “Understanding acute and chronic inflammation”
• Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine: “Is sickness presenteeism a risk factor for depression? A Danish 2-year follow-up study”

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

• Nursing Careers
• Flu Clinic FAQs
• Biometric Event FAQs
• Onsite Flu Clinics
• Flu Vouchers
• Online Flu Shot Scheduler
• Other Vaccinations
• Temperature Testing
• Construction and Industrial Workers
• Foreign Relocations
• Government Contractors
• Healthcare Providers
• Healthcare Vendors
• Hospitality and Restaurant Workers
• Mining, Oil and Other Natural Resource Workers
• Veterinarians and Veterinary Workers
• Travel Medicine & Vaccinations
• Results Reporting
• Online Biometric Scheduler
• Employee Wellness
• Personalized Health Tools
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis A & B
• High-Dose Flu
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR)
• TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis)
• Yellow Fever
• Titer Testing
• Tuberculosis Testing

Should You Work From Home While Sick?

For many people, working from home while they are sick is a convenient option, as long as their employer allows it. Working from home may not be the best choice for someone under the weather, but that depends on how sick you are and whether you can get anything done at home.

For example, if you have a cold and you don’t want anyone at work to get it, you should probably stay home. During the flu season, that becomes much more important. Avoiding work while fighting influenza can keep the whole office healthy .

But, what if you have some other illness?

Many will wake up with a sore throat, jump in the shower, take a throat lozenge, and head for work . This may not be the best way to go, since a sore throat is often an early sign of a cold, and as we all know, colds are very contagious.

A study from the Canada Life Group Insurance Company looked further into this occurrence. They found that nearly 90% of employees have come into work while sick.

Bosses will always worry about the employees who call in sick despite being healthy. But, a larger number of bosses are more worried about people showing up to work who are sick and contagious.

With the “always at work” mentality, people who work from home still stay in touch with their projects and fellow workers. This might be a counter-productive situation when you’re sick and need to work at home with some peace and quiet.

It’s no secret that many offices encourage the “always on” mentality. This means employees will find it difficult to ask for time off when they are sick, and are often encouraged to work from home instead.

If you are one of those who grapples with the idea of whether you should take time off when you are sick, it’s important to come up with a contingency plan to help you decide. You should stop and think about the long-term effects of your decision.

If you decide to go to work while you are sick, you should at least think of a place at work where you can isolate yourself from others. Although, if you decide to work from home, think about what you might be missing by staying away from work.

With the cold season ahead, workers are coming down with fevers, headaches, and runny noses. The CDC reported that your chances of getting sick this year fall between 5% and 20%, which is relatively high.

And after falling ill, employees are left with that debate: stay home or go to the office. The problem with staying home is that it might cause more stress due to the amount of work you lose. When you return to work, you could be faced with a pile of paperwork and past due projects.

But, why do people go to work when they are sick?

If you are one of the lucky people who has plenty of sick time saved up, you don’t have to worry about calling in sick without jeopardizing your job.

But, this often isn’t the case.

A 2014 survey by the National Survey Foundation (NSF) concluded that 4 out of 10 Americans say they come to work sick simply because they don’t have much choice. Approximately 10% of those surveyed said they go to work sick.

As a rule, it’s always best to stay home when you are sick. So, the next time you wake up with a headache, runny nose, and a cough, stay home.

Are you looking to keep your office healthy this flu season? Passport Health can help! Give us a call at or fill out a contact form for more information.

Written for Passport Health by Jerry Olsen. He has over 15 years of combined experience as a writer and editor in Salt Lake City. Jerry’s writing topics range from health care, travel, life science to medical technology and technical writing.

• Government Contracts
• Executive Team Bios

• Search the site GO Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Health Conditions A-Z
• Infectious Diseases
• Common Cold

Is Working Out While Sick Safe?

You may be able to exercise at a lower intensity than usual if you have a mild head cold.

Sometimes, working out while sick may help you feel better. The general rule of thumb: Exercise is safe if your symptoms are "above the neck," such as a light headache and a runny or stuffy nose.

Still, you'll want to dial back the intensity of your workouts. For example, try light jogging or walking if you usually run. You might lift light dumbells at home instead of heavy machinery at the gym.

In contrast, you may need to take a few days off if you have "below-the-neck" symptoms like chest congestion, nausea, and vomiting. Focus on resting if you have a fever, and stay home if you test positive for COVID-19 .

Learn more about what exercises are safe when you are sick and when you can return to your regular workout regimen.

When To Avoid or Minimize Exercise While Sick

Try using the "neck rule" to determine whether exercising while sick is safe. The "neck rule" essentially separates your body into two sections: above and below your neck.

The American Heart Association (AHA) advises avoiding exercise if you have below-the-neck symptoms like:

• Chest congestion

The AHA adds that a fever, regardless of the cause, is a sign to avoid exercise.

When It’s Safe To Exercise

In contrast, you may be able to exercise if your symptoms occur above the neck. For example, exercising with a head cold is generally safe.

Above-the-neck symptoms, as with a head cold, may include:

• Dry coughing
• Light headache
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat

Of note: Consider refraining from physical activity if you have a wet cough, or coughing that brings up mucus. Research has found that wet coughing occurs most often with bacterial infections in the lower respiratory tract, like pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia usually produces more severe symptoms than other types. Getting plenty of rest helps you feel better and reduces complications.

You may want to reduce the intensity of your workouts even if you have a mild head cold. For example, opt for lighter dumbells than usual. 

How Long To Wait Before Working Out Again

Slowly return to your exercise regimen while recovering from an illness. Generally, experts advise waiting until an infection fully clears before resuming exercise.

Some evidence suggests that working out while sick, especially with a fever, may lead to complications like:

• Coordination problems
• Heart concerns
• Loss of muscle endurance and strength
• Rhabdomyolysis, or the release of muscle content into the blood
• Spreading germs that make others sick
• Worsening illness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises staying away from others for at least 11 days after testing positive for COVID-19 if you have symptoms. You may resume normal activities, including exercise, after five days if you do not have symptoms.

You may lose some physical strength while you are ill. Gradually increasing the intensity of your workouts helps avoid complications and injuries. 

Reach out to a healthcare provider if you develop new symptoms like cough, fatigue, or trouble breathing while working out.

Types of Exercise That Might Be More or Less Beneficial 

Some exercises are safer than others, even if you have a mild illness. For some people, moderate cardio can help boost your energy and clear congestion, Andrea Hulse, DO , an internist at Sibley Memorial Hospital, told Health . Generally, you'll want to lower the intensity of your workouts while sick.

"It's really a matter of personal preference, what type of symptoms you have, and what your normal routine is like," said Dr. Hulse.

Read on to learn whether specific exercises are safe and what to do instead if you are sick.

Anything Outdoors in the Cold

Working out in freezing temperatures may harm some people with cold symptoms. Cold, dry air can restrict or irritate airways, triggering a runny nose, coughing, or asthma-like symptoms. If you have a cold, you may find winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, or snowshoeing more difficult than usual.

Of note: Contrary to popular belief, cold weather will not cause you to get sick or lower immunity, not even if you go outside without a coat or sweat so much your hair gets wet.

Biking is a moderate exercise that may be safe if you are sick. Still, you may want to avoid biking on a congested road while sick. Inhaling pollutants irritates your airways, worsening your existing symptoms. Pollutants may cause coughing and shortness of breath and coughing.

Taking a cardio dance class—or even just rocking out to your favorite tunes while you clean the house—is a safe form of exercise when you have above-the-neck symptoms. 

Dance cardio may improve your symptoms. A study published in 2021   found that dance can reduce stress levels, which may improve immune function.

Dancing tends to be low impact, so you can break a sweat without aggravating a sinus headache and stressing your joints. You can go at your own pace: Take it easy on days you're not feeling 100%, and try to enjoy your workout.

As long as jogging is part of your routine, there's no reason you need to skip it because of a mild head cold. 

"My patients who are runners all say that running helps them feel better when they're sick," said Dr. Hulse. "Running is a natural decongestant, and it can help clear your head and feel normal again."

Try scaling back the intensity of your run if you are sick, said Dr. Hulse. Your body is already working in overdrive to help fight off a virus. Entirely hold off on running if you have below-the-neck symptoms, like nausea or vomiting.

Lifting Weights

Fighting off a cold will likely diminish your performance and strength, especially if you are not getting enough sleep .

A lack of sleep increases injury risk when lifting heavy equipment, Richard Besser, MD , president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, told  Health . The muscle strain required to lift weights may cause headaches to worsen.

Instead, try strength exercises at home, where you'll be less likely to spread germs from sharing equipment. Remember to give yourself a break by using lighter dumbbells than usual. You can increase your reps, not the weight, if you need more challenge, said Dr. Hulse.

Qigong is a slow, mindful movement that mixes martial arts and meditation. In Chinese medicine, qigong helps heal and regulate the body, mind, and spirit. Qigong is low-intensity enough for days you do not feel like breaking a sweat.

People have used qigong for thousands of years to:  

• Improve blood flow
• Increase energy
• Reduce anxiety and stress 

Qigong may help support your immune system. A study published in 2020 found that qigong enhances immune function and suppresses inflammation. Still, more research is needed.

Swimming can feel refreshing, and indoor swimming may open your airways due to the humid air. For people with allergies, swimming can help wash away dust and pollen.

In contrast, some people may find it difficult to breathe while congested. Others may find that chlorinated water irritates their symptoms. 

Common cold symptoms may compromise your energy levels, so you may not feel up for intense physical fitness. Even walking can help you reap the benefits of regular exercise and may improve your cold symptoms.

"If your sinuses are plugged up, walking will stimulate you to take deep breaths and can help open up those passages," said Dr. Besser. 

Some evidence suggests that regular exercise may increase immunity to illnesses like colds. Still, there's little research on how exercise can affect the duration of a cold.

Some evidence suggests that stress-relieving techniques—such as breathing exercises and yoga—help reduce inflammation and support immunity.

Gentle stretching may relieve aches and pains related to colds and sinus infections, said Dr. Besser.

Choose a slow style of practice, like Hatha or Iyengar yoga, if you are worried about overdoing it. Try focusing on restorative postures at home, like Child Pose and Legs Up the Wall.

General Tips for Working Out While Sick

Although specific exercises are safe if you have above-the-neck symptoms, practicing caution is essential.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to exercise while sick:

• Avoid public areas: Cold and flu viruses spread through droplets and hand-to-hand contact, so you'll want to stay away from the gym if you are contagious. Sports involving physical contact can also boost the spread of illness. Research has found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may remain active on sports balls for short periods.
• Do not exercise with a fever: Avoid exercising if you have a fever. Working out with a fever may cause dehydration , headaches, and muscle pain.
• Listen to your body: Stop physical activity and focus on resting if exercising worsens your symptoms, said Dr. Besser.
• Reduce the intensity of your workouts: This helps avoid fatigue since your body already uses a lot of energy to fight off an infection.   For example, try walking briskly for 30 minutes if you usually jog or run. You can reap the benefits of exercising even if you lower the intensity. 
• Stay hydrated: Exercising and sweating put you at risk for dehydration, which may worsen your symptoms if you are sick.

Allergy Tips

Sometimes, people think of recurring cold symptoms—headaches, nasal congestion, and sneezing—are allergies in disguise. 

"If you find that you are seeing those symptoms come on at the same time each year, you might want to ask your doctor about getting tested," said Dr. Besser.

Factors to consider when deciding whether exercising is a good idea if you have allergies include:

• Location:  Where you plan to exercise may trigger allergies. For example, you may have to contend with potential allergens like pollen if you want to exercise outdoors. Workouts at the gym or other enclosed spaces may trigger dust, harsh cleaners, and mold allergies.
• Time of day:  Try exercising outdoors in the early morning. Dew keeps pollen counts relatively low at that time. 
• Weather:  Allergies to pollen can make outdoor exercise hard in the spring and fall, said Dr. Besser. Try exercising outdoors after it rains during those times. You may want to avoid exercising outside if it's dry, hot, or windy.

After your workout, shower, use a saline rinse or spray to remove pollen, and wash your clothes. An antihistamine or other treatment can help alleviate symptoms if you can pinpoint the cause.

A Quick Review

Generally, working out while sick is safe if you have above-the-neck symptoms like a light headache and a runny or stuffy nose. Still, reducing the intensity of your workouts is essential if you are sick.

You might need a few days off if you have symptoms below the neck, such as chest congestion, nausea, and vomiting. Focus on resting if you have a fever, and stay home if you test positive for COVID-19 . Gradually return to exercise once your infection clears.

American Heart Association. Is it OK to exercise when you're sick? .

MedlinePlus. Common cold .

Renjini A, Swapna MS, Raj V, et al. Graph-based feature extraction and classification of wet and dry cough signals: a machine learning approach .  J Complex Netw . 2021;9(6):cnab039. doi:10.1093/comnet/cnab039

American Lung Association. Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis .

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Pneumonia - recovery .

Börjesson M, Arvidsson D, Rensburg CJV, et al. Return to play after infectious disease .  Return to Play in Football . 2017;755-769. doi:10.1007/978-3-662-55713-6_56

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Isolation and precautions for people with COVID-19 .

D'Amato M, Molino A, Calabrese G, et al. The impact of cold on the respiratory tract and its consequences to respiratory health .  Clin Transl Allergy . 2018;8:20. doi:10.1186/s13601-018-0208-9

Respiratory Health Association. Understanding air pollution .

Salihu D, Kwan RYC, Wong EML. The effect of dancing interventions on depression symptoms, anxiety, and stress in adults without musculoskeletal disorders: An integrative review and meta-analysis .  Complement Ther Clin Pract . 2021;45:101467. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101467

American Lung Association. Can you exercise with a cold? .

Upadhyaya P, Nandyala A, Ailani J. Primary exercise headache .  Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep . 2020;20(5):9. doi:10.1007/s11910-020-01028-4

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Qigong: What you need to know .

van Dam K. Individual stress prevention through qigong .  Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2020;17(19):7342. doi:10.3390/ijerph17197342

Oh B, Bae K, Lamoury G, et al. The effects of Tai Chi and qigong on immune responses: A systematic review and meta-analysis .  Medicines (Basel) . 2020;7(7):39. doi:10.3390/medicines7070039

American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) .

MedlinePlus. Exercise and immunity .

Falkenberg RI, Eising C, Peters ML. Yoga and immune system functioning: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials .  J Behav Med . 2018;41(4):467-482. doi:10.1007/s10865-018-9914-y

Pelisser M, Thompson J, Majra D, et al. Sports balls as potential SARS-CoV-2 transmission vectors .  Public Health Pract (Oxf) . 2020;1:100029. doi:10.1016/j.puhip.2020.100029

MedlinePlus. Dehydration .

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Nasal allergies .

American Association of Otolaryngic Allergy. Is it OK to exercise with allergies? .

Related Articles