Moutain, it overcomes you!

For summer vacation, the principal locations of destination are the sea or the mountain. But do you know the physiological profits to spend a few days in the mountain?

To stay in a village situated above an altitude of 1000m allows to have fresh nights and to rest well. Nocturnal temperature meets 12C° and the body can regenerate its cells efficiently thanks to a deep sleep.

Days are also cooler than in the plains because the temperature decreases of 0.65° every 100m of difference in height. If you leave from your house (400m) where it is 30C° and that you are going to Verbier (1500m) you will find a temperature around 23C°. This is an ideal temperature for an outdoor activity.

Good for your moral. Temperature being more pleasant than in the plains, it is possible to expose itself longer in the sun (with the inevitable sun cream!). Thanks to this sun exposition, we produce vitamin D (absorption of calcium and phosphor, against rickets for the children and osteomalacia for the adults) and serotonin (neurotransmitter implicated in the thermoregulation, sleep-wake cycle, eating and sexual habits, antidepressant), allowing then the transformation in melatonin ( »sleep hormone »).

 Regenerating. When you go for a walk, your organism needs oxygen to function. In altitude, oxygen becomes scarce. Effort becomes more difficult, the heart beats faster. A hormone (EPO: dopant hormone) is liberated in order to produce more red blood cell that will serve to transport oxygen. After a few days, your physical capacity will increase. It’s for this reason that athletes of high level take sport stages in the mountain!

 Unwinding. Breath a big bowl of fresh air, just happiness! Air in the mountain is dry and the pollution weaker than in the plains. Also, acarids don’t live above an altitude of 1500m, they need heat and humidity. Ideal for allergic persons!

The beautiful landscapes that you will cross during your walks will allow you to sit for a while. You will profit the present moment by forgetting your everyday routine. The planet is filled with magic places that remain to be discovered!

 Fun. There exist a lot of occupations in the mountain. You need to choose the region according to what you would like to do. For the most common activities besides walks, you can try mountain bike, canyoning, glider, scooter, adventure park ( »accro branche »), climbing, or also sleep in a caban, etc… There is for every taste, and every age!

If you are ready to try the experience, here are some small tips to not forget:

Protect yourself with high sun cream protection, hat, sunglasses.

For walks, good shoes are suggested especially for trails marked  »red and white ». And for the other activities, adequate equipment is not a luxury, but a security.

Backpack with minimum water and a picnic, it’s nicer.

A jacket in your bag, because weather changes rapidly in the mountains.

Don’t overestimate you! Nature will always have the upper. Don’t take useless risks to your surrounding and to yourself.

Calculate well your course with the return and evaluate the dangers (open spaces for the persons who are afraid of heights).

Some babies can’t stand the altitude during their first year (max. altitude of 1200m). Let yourself advised by the pediatrics.

If you stay a week in the mountains, plan one or two days of rest because efforts are intense in altitude.

I wish you a beautiful summer in good shape!