Is it okay to feel lightheaded and dizzy after physical activity?

Dear Readers, 

Thanks for following along — hopefully this response will stop your head from spinning! Often times, factors like low blood sugar, dehydration, and overexertion can cause those “dizzy” symptoms that you both mentioned. When it comes to exercise, making sure your body is prepped by hydrating and eating enough are essential practices. Read along to learn more about why!  

Why do I get lightheaded or dizzy after exercising? 

Lightheadedness and dizziness are often used interchangeably, though they’re a bit different. The term lightheadedness is the woozy or dizzy feeling you get, often from being dehydrated or overheated. Dizziness is a broader term that can include vertigo, lightheadedness, loss of balance, and a feeling of floating. Even though they may not be the same, there could be many factors leading you to feel lightheaded and dizzy during and after exercising.  

Here are some of the most common factors: 

• Overexertion: When you exercise, you’re putting a higher demand on your heart, lungs, muscles, and nervous system. Your body might not be ready or “conditioned” to take on this amount of intensity. 
• Dehydration: Exercise can lead to dehydration because you’re losing water, mainly from sweating. Without enough fluids, you can feel symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and overheating. 
• Low blood sugar: Exercise increases your body’s demand for energy. Therefore, the body uses more glucose, or blood sugar, which provides energy. When your blood sugar dips, you might feel those shaky and spinning symptoms. When your blood sugar gets very low, health care providers sometimes refer to this as hypoglycemia. That said, not all dips in blood sugar are considered hypoglycemia. 
• Changes in blood pressure: Exercise also can change your blood pressure levels. More blood flows to your muscles when you work out, raising blood pressure during activity. After your workout, your blood pressure drops. That change in blood pressure can also lead to those dizzy symptoms. 

What can you do to manage exercise-induced dizziness? 

Managing exercise-induced dizziness isn’t going to be a one size fits all solution. Both of you mentioned pushing yourself really hard, whether that’s running with nothing left in the tank or long bouts of cycling. It might not be beneficial to always feel exhausted after every workout. Consider varying the intensity across your training week to help you push hard when you need to or pull back to recover.  

That said, you can try some preventative steps before and during your working out to feel less dizzy and more stable on your feet: 

• Pacing yourself when it comes to increasing your workout capacity. If your body isn’t ready to go the extra mile, slowly building up to your workout goals can help.  
• Eating nutritious snacks to give your body the nutrients and energy it needs to help fuel your workout and regulate blood sugar. 
• Staying hydrated before and throughout your workout to prevent dehydration. 
• Taking your time “cooling down” after your workout, to let your body transition from working out to normal activity.  

 How does regular exercise impact your health? 

Regular exercise has many health benefits including protection against feeling dizzy or lightheaded. Some benefits include improved blood circulation, enhanced coordination and balance, and the stimulation of hormones that help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. 

Being consistent can help your body adjust more easily to changes in your intensity. Consider adapting your pre-workout routine and make sure you’re fueling-up appropriately before heading into a workout. If you continue feeling dizzy after working out, it may be worth speaking to a medical professional, including a registered dietitian or certified personal trainer.  

Overall, thinking through your approach to exercise can help you adjust your training in a way that is enjoyable in the long run. 

Happy trails,