As your search for property for sale in Breckenridge begins, the obvious benefits will be easy to see. The gorgeous scenery, clean air, and laid back vibe all draw folks toward making a move to this striking mountain setting. But, there is more to consider than whether ski in/ski out or downtown Breckenridge is the way to go.
Relocating to the High Rockies can present challenges for some people, particularly those that have spent most of their lives between sea level and 4500 ft. above. Exactly who may be negatively affected by high altitude is unknown. Age, gender, fitness level, factors that might seem obvious, have not been shown to relate to individual experiences.
We do know that it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for your body to adjust, and as long as two years for you to achieve the workout endurance that you enjoyed while living below 5000 ft. A combination of low humidity, air pressure, and oxygen concentration can contribute to initially enduring lethargy, headache, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Hydration and diet will play a crucial role in adjusting to and living at higher altitudes
Hydration and Diet
Staying hydrated will be the number one factor in helping your body adjust to high altitude living. You can figure your optimal water intake with a simple formula. The amount of water that will keep you feeling your best at high altitude is equal to half of your body weight in fluid ounces. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, your ideal daily water intake should be 80 fluid ounces.
In addition to hydration, your diet will considerably affect how you react to and feel while living at high altitude. While at lower elevations low carb diets are all the rage, it is not so here. At this altitude, healthy carbohydrates are your body's choice energy source. Things like sweet potatoes, brown rice, oatmeal and whole grains require less oxygen to metabolize than fats and proteins. Your activity level and workout regimen are going to demand an uptick in carbohydrate consumption at this elevation. This article, written by a Boulder physician, describes in detail how diet and hydration will affect your endurance at high altitude.
Health Benefits
As challenging as the adjustment to high altitude can be for some people, there are some real health benefits to mountain living. The reduced oxygen volume that can cause discomfort initially is believed to have a long-term positive effect. Reduced oxygen stimulates your system to generate more blood vessels leading to overall better health. Vitamin D synthesis in your skin increases at high altitude, which is necessary for certain aspects of heart and bone health. Also, studies have shown that people at high altitude experience higher levels of leptin, the hormone that makes us feel full. This hormone increase, coupled with an increased metabolic rate may contribute to ease of weight loss and maintenance.
Coloradans enjoy average life expectancy rates three years longer than the national average and are the only U.S. citizens that boast obesity rates below 20%. We can attribute that in part to the active lifestyles of many choosing to live here. However, after an initial adjustment, the positive net effect of high altitude living on your health is another excellent reason to make your real estate investment in Breckenridge.