Stopping suddenly after strenuous exercise could result in dizziness and even fainting. As you exercise, your blood is pumped throughout your body. When you stop suddenly, your heart rate is afforded enough time to slow and regulate blood flow, which can result in a lack of blood to your head. Taking time to cool down properly and catch your breath can help you enjoy safer exercise. It's especially important if you suffer from exercise-induced asthma and other conditions that make it difficult to breath when working out.
Step 1
Slow your pacing gradually. This allows your heart rate to regulate and pump blood efficiently to all areas of your body, not only those affected by exercise. This means slowing to a walk if you've been jogging, biking more slowly or reducing the weight that you're lifting. Plan for at least five minutes of gradual slowing.
Step 2
Walk in place or around the room as you take a drink. Walking while recovering form exercise ensures that your blood is still being pumped efficiently through your body to avoid dizziness. This is sometimes known as active recovery. As you walk, take deep, even breaths to supply your lungs with the oxygen they need.
Step 3
Stretch your body after a workout. This gives you a chance to regulate your breath as well as stretch the muscles affected by exercise. Concentrate on each major muscle group one at a time. If you're especially tired or out of breath, it's fine to stretch from a seated position. Move from the bottom of the body to the top, stretching the legs, hips and thighs, core, shoulders and chest, neck and back.
Step 4
Lie on an exercise mat and place your hand over your belly. Inhale deeply and watch to see if your hand rises. If it does not, you aren't breathing deeply enough to help you recover from exercise. Ensure that you breath deeply enough to pull air into your belly, then exhale for one count longer than you inhaled. Repeat five to 10 times until your breath becomes steady.
Step 5
Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you struggle with catching your breath after exercise habitually. This could be a sign of exercise-induced asthma, a swelling of the airways that is exacerbated by strenuous exercise. Your doctor could prescribe a rescue inhaler that you could then use when necessary to help relieve swelling and catch your breath easier.
