The mountains are an ideal destination for connecting with nature, enjoying the beautiful scenery and breathing clean air. You can rent a cabin and enjoy a pleasant holiday at any time of the year. But above all, a stay in the mountains is good for your health. Here we give you a small glimpse of these considerable benefits.
Staying in the mountain reduces the risk of obesity
Recent American research has shown a link between weight loss and altitude. The first study shows that people living at height, like in Colorado, have a risk of becoming obese that is four to five times lower than that of people who live by the seaside. The second study states that even a quite short trip to the mountain, of about one week, can stimulate weight loss.
Indeed, at altitude, oxygen is less present and our body and metabolism react differently to elsewhere. The metabolic rate is accelerated, so the body burns more calories. The feeling of hunger is less present because the satiety hormone (leptin), which makes you feel full, increases.
Altitude against cardiovascular diseases
People who live at higher altitudes are also less likely to die from heart disease. The researcher Benjamin Honigman from the Altitude Medicine Clinic studied this phenomenon and said: “Lower oxygen levels act on certain genes and we think they can change the way the heart muscles function. They can also produce new blood vessels that create new routes for the blood to flow into the heart. »
The mountain for burning calories
The mountais are often associated with countless sports that you can take part in. The sun, the beauty of the mountain scenery and the clean air are all arguments that inspire even the least sporty people to try sports when they stay in the mountain. Just a few of these sports are skiing, hiking and snowshoeing. Sports give your body many benefits that can help to tone muscles, optimise the cardiopulmonary function and burn calories. To give some examples, one hour of hiking in the mountain allows you to burn around 500 calories and one hour of climbing burns almost 750 calories.
Holidays in the mountains are good for the soul
Not only does the fresh air at the top of the mountains mean less pollution and easier breathing for those with respiratory problems, but being closer to the sun also helps to promote serotonin production (a hormone whose function is to fight against stress and anxiety). On the other hand, one of the most common scents in the mountain is pine, which is associated with benefits against depression and stress.
Beyond the scientific evidence, just the prevailing calm and the atmosphere in the mountain already give people an incomparable sense of well-being and relaxation.
Whether it is during a rental holiday or in your day to day life, the mountains bring you health benefits that are no longer in doubt. And it is certainly not a coincidence that fitness and spa institutes like to be situated high up…