Feeling Dizzy When You Start Exercising? Here's the Simple Fix
Many people who set out to improve their health through exercise often hit a major roadblock right from the start — dizziness. And for many, that's enough to make them give up entirely.
So what causes it? Is it dangerous? And how can you fix it? Today we've summarized the tips and advice from Dr. Pracha, a neurosurgeon, just for you.
Many people have experienced this — you start exercising for a little while, then suddenly feel lightheaded or dizzy, forcing you to stop and rest, wondering "Is something wrong with me?"
Why do you feel dizzy when you start exercising?
The mechanism stems from the autonomic nervous system kicking in. During the early stages of exercise, the brain's blood vessels constrict, temporarily reducing blood flow to the brain — and that's what triggers the dizziness.
People most likely to experience this include:
1. Those whose blood vessels have begun to stiffen and lose elasticity
2. Those who have never exercised before and are just starting out
3. Those who don't drink enough water in their daily lives
The simple fix: 600 ml of water
💧 Drink 600 ml of water (half a bottle) while putting on your shoes before your workout, then slowly sip the remaining half while doing a 15-minute warm-up walk. Once the bottle is empty, you're ready to run.
The water you drink helps prevent your blood vessels from constricting too much at the start of exercise, significantly relieving dizziness. Within 3 weeks, the symptoms typically improve on their own.
Is this symptom dangerous?
⚠️ Dizziness at the start of exercise is generally not dangerous — unless you have a pre-existing heart condition, in which case you should consult a doctor before exercising.
Dizziness = a good sign?
It sounds strange, but it's true! If you feel dizzy when you start exercising, it means you're on the right track — because your blood vessels are being trained to become more flexible, which helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Key risk factors for cerebrovascular disease include:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol
- Obesity
- Chronic stress
All of these risks can be reduced through regular exercise.
The sooner you start taking care of your health, the more you can reduce your chances of developing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in the future.