Why are the mountains good for us?

The mountains, unique for physical well-being

As we all know, being active in the mountains is good for our red blood cell production. As well as freeing the mind and improving well-being, it also has an effect on the inside. The higher we climb, the less oxygen there is in the air. Our bodies compensate by increasing our haematocrit level (the red blood cells in our blood). This is the mechanism that athletes recreate artificially when doping with EPO. Sportsmen and women regularly go up to altitude to train and ensure better oxygenation before a competition.

Whatever your favourite activity in the resort – skiing, trail running, hiking and many others – when you do it, you encourage the production of red blood cells. The result is better oxygen uptake in the lungs and a better supply of oxygen to the muscles. All to the benefit of improved performance and a feeling of well-being! So the mountains ‘dope’ our bodies, but naturally and without any risk to our health. Quite the contrary… The mountains also provide a dose of sunshine, the ideal way to keep your spirits up in winter and fill up on vitamin D.

The mountains, the perfect place to take a break

“Take a breath of fresh mountain air! It’s an old-fashioned saying, but one that’s firmly rooted in the collective imagination, yet it’s more relevant than ever. All the opinion polls show that we all want to get back to nature. We all need space, perspective and authenticity to create a lasting sense of well-being. A simple desire to turn our backs, at least for the duration of a stay, on the polluted stress of urban life. The mountains seem the ideal answer. And what if the first benefit was the desire to go there? Because the mere prospect of the mountains is already doing us a world of good. Planning a holiday, a day’s hiking, choosing activities or accommodation.

All these preparations are more than just a date ticked on a calendar. It’s really about the prospect of time together again, often with those closest to us. Other obvious reasons abound, so much so that they seem fully in line with the quest mentioned in the preamble. Going to the mountains is first and foremost a decision to get away from the hustle and bustle of traffic and the hustle and bustle of big cities. Aside from the very real prospect of leaving behind the blanket of pollution that covers most of France’s major cities, there is a simple explanation for the virtues of mountain air.

According to a recent study by Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Tourisme, “the mountains have all the attributes needed to reduce stress, improve sleep quality, reduce weight and improve quality of life”.

The mountains, ideal for reconnecting with our roots

When we reconnect with the natural world of the mountains, we also reconnect with sensations that go back to our childhood. It’s a rejuvenating experience, perpetually renewed by the pleasure of (re)discovering the elements, the land, its flora and fauna… Going to the mountains also means accepting the rhythm of nature and the rules it imposes. It’s about respecting and blending in with your surroundings, taking full advantage of the magnificent scenery, whatever you do.

It’s as if during a break, on skis, on a trail, on a mountain bike or simply on a hike, we simply accept, with unabashed pleasure, the sensation of feeling ‘very small’ in the face of landscapes that are bigger than ourselves. The mountains have the virtue of plunging us into a state of meditation and contemplation. So why not indulge in this simple and healthy pleasure?