Mountain air: harm or benefit. How is a mountain climate beneficial? Health benefits of mountain holidays
In the mountains, the atmospheric pressure is lower and the air temperature is lower than on the plain, the air is clean, insolation is increased, and sunlight contains more ultraviolet rays. These properties of mountain climate are more pronounced the higher the altitude above sea level.
The intensity of solar radiation increases by approximately 1% for every 100 m of altitude.
Both daily and annual amplitudes of air temperature and humidity on peaks and mountain ranges are smaller than on plains. Wind speed in the mountains is higher than on the surrounding plains, but is highly dependent on the terrain. Due to increased wind speed and lower atmospheric pressure, evaporation increases.
The electrical state of the atmosphere in mountainous areas also has its own characteristics: depending on the topography, soil, vegetation cover, wind, air purity and other conditions, the content of ions in the atmosphere and the ratio of the number of positive and negative ions change.
The ionization characteristics of the atmosphere are one of the main factors that determine the climatic benefits of a recreational area. The largest amount of light negatively charged ions is found in the air near mountain rivers and waterfalls.
In mid- and high-mountain climates, atmospheric pressure is lower (which decreases by 1 mm Hg for every 11 m rise) and air temperature is lower than on the plain (it decreases by 0.5-0.6 ° C at rise every 100 m), low dust content in the air and its high transparency for sunlight.
The insolation intensity at an altitude of 2500 m reaches 1.05 kW/m2. In the mountains, the spectral density of long- and medium-wave ultraviolet rays increases, air density (by a quarter) and the partial pressure of oxygen decrease.
Under the influence of climatic conditions in mountainous areas, the following occurs:
- normalization of the body's reactivity, which manifests itself in hyposensitization to specific allergens in patients with bronchial asthma, reducing hypersensitivity to adverse weather and other physical factors;
- normalization of carbohydrate, protein, and vitamin metabolism, which has a positive effect on the course of diseases in the pathogenesis of which metabolic disorders play an important role (atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus);
- increasing the activity of tissue enzymes for oxygen utilization, which enhances oxidative processes in tissues, reduces tissue hypoxia and thereby has a positive effect on external respiration and blood circulation;
- stimulation (with a combination of low partial pressure of oxygen and relatively low air temperatures) of supplying the body with oxygen; in particular, the function of external respiration, blood circulation, hematopoiesis is enhanced, and the enzymatic activity of tissues increases;
- increased activity of the immune system.
At the same time, staying in mountainous areas places great demands on the body and its physiological systems and becomes a significant burden for the body.
The resulting hypoxia activates the oxygen capture and transport systems, which leads to a reflex increase in breathing and heart rate, causes the release of deposited red blood cells into the bloodstream, and increased removal of excess sodium ions and water from the body.
The emerging structural and functional changes (systemic trace) ensure sustainable adaptation of the body's life support systems to conditions of oxygen deficiency, increasing their functional reserves, especially in diseases of the respiratory system, circulatory system, functional diseases of the central nervous system and other disorders of physiological systems.
Climatic therapy is actively used, for example, in the sanatoriums of the North Caucasian Mineralnye Vody, located in low midlands with moderate hypobaric hypoxia. This factor stimulates afferent interoceptive systems, contributing to the expansion of the range of adaptation and mobilization of the body's reserve capabilities.
To the factors of low-medium mountains in these areas are added the healing factors of the mountain-forest climate and health path (kinesiotherapy, landscape therapy). By the way, the path, laid out in the mountain forest park of the Kislovodsk resort, with its picturesque views of the surrounding mountains, including Elbrus, is considered the best not only in Russia, but also in Europe.
The multicomponent climatic factors of the Kislovodsk resort, including optimal average annual temperatures and insolation, the oxidative capacity of air, natural air ionization, and the diversity of landscapes make it possible to choose the most effective complex of sanatorium-resort treatment.
In general, the mountain climate provides regenerative, catabolic (energy), detoxification, stimulating hematopoiesis and bactericidal effects.
If the average age of a Stone Age resident was 20 years, during the Roman Empire it was 35, but now the life expectancy of, for example, a Russian fluctuates between 70-75 years.
Less calories - more vitamins
However, much earlier than data on the age indicators of citizens began to be documented, people lived on different continents whose life expectancy went beyond generally accepted standards. Information about them was conveyed by tales and legends, where fable and fable are often closely intertwined, and the heroes, as a rule, live happily ever after.
Evidence of this is the Nart epic, where all the heroes are the children of one mother, Satanei-Guashya, who lived for 150 years. Since ancient times, the Caucasian peoples have been famous for their longevity. Adygea is no exception in this regard.
One of the most important factors for longevity is the special diet of Caucasians.
The food of the Circassians is basically low-calorie. The high content of national fermented milk products in it ensures the similarity of the intestinal microflora of long-livers and healthy children, says general practitioner Andrei Martynov.
It should also be noted that the diet of Adyghe long-livers has a high content of plant foods, and therefore fiber. The therapist considers red pepper to be a unique product of longevity, which the Circassians add to almost all dishes. The food of centenarians contains little cholesterol, but is rich in vitamins and enriched with natural antioxidants. It is noteworthy that Caucasian centenarians eat exactly the same national food that their ancestors ate. It is to these products that their body is adapted.
The clean, rarefied air of the highlands, according to researchers of the Adyghe phenomenon of longevity, also contributes to long life.
The whole secret is that it is in the mountains that there are temporary local ionizers: thunderstorms, dust and snow storms, waterfalls, mountain rivers. The high saturation of mountain air with air ions is directly related to the intensive healing of the body, says Andrey Martynov.
Power of Habit
Another factor in Caucasian longevity is that in the mountainous regions of Adygea, where most long-livers come from, people lived and live in the traditions of their ancestors, without changing their habits. In the culture of the highlanders, there are many forms of behavior developed over centuries that serve as a kind of protective mechanism against stress and the negativity of the surrounding world, says culturologist Saida Mamrukova.
According to the observations of specialists, the centenarians of Adygea are friendly, willing to make contact, and they do not have the tendency towards the distant past that is typical for old people.
Caucasian centenarians almost completely lack a sense of uncertainty and anxiety, notes practical psychologist Alexandra Chernavskikh.
Gerontological scientists have come to the conclusion that the most important thing for a long life is optimism. And the main secrets of Caucasian longevity are mountain air, healthy nutrition and lifestyle.
EXPERT OPINION: Lyudmila Veremienko, head of the demography department of Adygeastat: According to the results of the 2010 All-Russian Population Census, 47 people aged 100 years and older lived in the republic (by the way, this list includes people 105 and even 107 years old), and those who have crossed the 90-year mark, which in Russia is considered the official limit after which a person can be considered a long-liver, and 258.
EXPERT OPINION: In the mountains of Adygea there are about 20 thousand air ions in 1 cubic centimeter of air. There are 2 thousand air ions in the sea air, in the green areas of central Russia there are from 200 to 1 thousand, and in industrial premises there are only 10-20.
Why do people need mountains and what is the significance of mountains in nature, you will learn by reading this article.
The importance of mountains in human life and nature
The importance of mountains in nature and human life is as great as solar heat or water. These tall arrays provide incredible benefits. So let's find out.
What do mountains give to man and nature?
- Water resources
The largest rivers originate in the mountains. They feed most of the water bodies of our planet. For example, the deepest North American rivers, the Rio Grande and Colorado, depend almost entirely on the Rocky Mountains. More than half of the world's population lives in East and South Asia. And their life also depends on the rains and snows that fall in mountain ranges such as the Pamirs, Himalayas, Tibetan Plateau, and Karakoram.
Rich flora and fauna
The inaccessibility and remoteness of the mountains, their unsuitability for agriculture, greatly protected the massifs from invasion and destructive human activity. Thanks to this, they have preserved a large species diversity of fauna and flora, which have long disappeared on the plains, valleys and forests. For example, take Kinabalu National Park, located in Malaysia. This mountainous area is smaller than New York City, but is home to 4,500 species of flora. This amount is equal to 1/4 of all plants that grow in the United States. Mountains are often home to rare animals: pandas (China), condors (Andes), snow leopard (Central Asia). Their very existence depends on the mountains.
- Rest
In the remote corners of the mountains, corners of nature untouched by man have been preserved. These are beautiful, picturesque landscapes, lakes and marvelous waterfalls. A third of the world's reserves are located on mountain ranges. And tourists visit them with great pleasure, even the most remote national parks. Every year they are visited by more than 1,000,000 people from all over the world. The most popular are: Mount McKinley (North America), Denali National Park (Alaska), Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro (East African Rift Zone). Here tourists have the opportunity to watch herds of wild animals and see strange and relict plants.
When thinking about vacation, people most often think about the sea, the beach, and leisure time in their garden. And only a small part remembers such an opportunity as a vacation in the mountains. White snow and fast snowboards are just one side of such a vacation, as mountain resorts can offer many more options for relaxation, wellness and fun.
Features of recreation in the mountains
Mountain locations for tourists, where people can relax, improve their health and get a lot of new experiences, are classified as climatic resorts. Nature itself here works on your well-being, doing this from the first minutes of your stay in the chosen place. In addition to natural healing, thanks to contact with the gifts of nature, you can take advantage of a wide range of therapeutic procedures based on raw materials and water from balneological and mineral springs - this service is available in the majority of mountain sanatoriums and hospitals.
Holidays in the mountains are an impressive landscape, the unique outlines of hills and rocks, plains, somewhere strewn with bright flowers. These are amazing landscapes that inspire and free you from the shackles of the city, expanding your thinking - it’s not for nothing that many great writers and poets enthusiastically describe the mountain ranges and picturesque nature in such regions in their works. Here the whole body is filled with energy, and the soul breathes freedom!
The most common activity in mountain resorts is hiking of varying degrees of difficulty. Together with a guide, you will be able to walk along the most unusual mountain peaks, explore snowy or picturesque summer plateaus, and see unusual architectural monuments. In some regions, you can take such a walk on your own, thanks to the flatness and relative safety of the mountains. For those who love extreme sports, the mountains are a real haven! Trekking, rafting on mountain rivers, mountaineering, para- and hang-gliding - everything a person with a heart for adventure needs.
Horseback riding and cycling are common in such areas. Those who are looking for quiet contemplation and peace of mind should pay attention to them, as well as the possibility of a picnic in the mountains and undergoing a full-fledged treatment program, which are offered by various mountain resorts.
Health benefits of mountain holidays
The mountain climate is often characterized as therapeutic, beneficial for health in general, because it is not for nothing that people who live in such climatic conditions from birth rarely suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system, cardiac ischemia and atherosclerosis. The healing power of the mountains lies in several main factors, including low air humidity and stable comfortable temperature. Here you will not feel the annoying heat and will not suffer from severe cold, but at the same time, the temperature varies significantly between day and night, which creates a favorable environment for hardening the body, circulatory and respiratory systems. The body is forced to regularly adapt to different conditions, which helps it develop a stable response to unfavorable environmental factors - immunity increases, you get sick less often.
Mountain air has a positive effect on the composition of the blood and lungs, helps to actively remove toxins from the body through breathing and improve brain function, and all thanks to the presence of a huge number of phytoncides in the air. They are distinguished by many plants in these areas, but most of all by valuable conifers (cedars, pines, spruces).
Thanks to the ability to make smooth ascents, you train the cardiovascular system, develop endurance, experiencing rhythmic cardio exercise in fresh air, saturated with light ions. The higher you rise, the more intensely the blood is supplied with oxygen - this enhances the processes of regeneration, tissue nutrition and improves the effect of medicinal products that you use together with such walks or immediately after them.
The largest mountain resorts
The largest mountain destination can be called the Caucasus - resorts here are spread out in all directions, and visiting them is possible at any time of the year. Another big plus is that, thanks to the popularity of this region, many convenient hiking trails have already been laid on the Caucasian peaks, and classic and extreme hiking routes have been thought out. The only place that is still considered inaccessible for mass visits by tourists is the Central Caucasus, where the unique five-thousand-meter peaks Elbrus and Kazbek are located.
Among the most popular in this direction are the resorts of the Western Caucasus, located in the Krasnodar Territory - Krasnaya Polyana and Azish-Tau, as well as in Karachay-Cherkessia - Teberda, Arkhyz and Dambai. In regions where the peaks are located lower and the main territory is occupied by plateaus, you can walk without special equipment. Fans of leisurely walks in picturesque landscapes can visit Caucasian Mineralnye Vody, Kislovodsk, Pyatigorsk, Zheleznovodsk or Essentuki.
Continuing your journey across Russia, you can visit the mountain resorts of the Urals, which include Belaya and Ezhovaya Mountains in the Sverdlovsk region, Kush-Tau and Abzakovo in Bashkortostan.
For lovers of exoticism and adherents of Eastern philosophy, a trip through the mountains of China will be interesting. Tours in this direction will delight you with good organization and the possibility of educational excursions. You will be able to relax, improve your health and replenish your collection of unusual, vivid impressions. The unusual picturesque landscape of colored mountains or the snowy peaks of Chomolungma will help you with this, but you can fully understand the truth of Eastern wisdom on the sacred mountains of China, where most of the sacred temples and monuments of Buddhism and Taoism are located. These areas are imbued with incredible energy and will appeal to those who need rest for the soul.
Active winter sports, both winter and summer, can be organized in the USA - Aspen in Colorado and Stowe in Vermont. After flying across the ocean, visit the mountain resort of Chamonix in France or a health and sports holiday in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. Another mountain resort in Europe, which in popularity almost reaches the Alpine peaks, is the mountain ranges of Bulgaria. In addition to beautiful landscapes, sunny snowy peaks and excellent service, you can try on the role of a professional skier on slopes with a total length of more than forty kilometers.
Returning to the Russian mountains, it is worth noting the completely reconstructed resort of Yalgora near Petrozavodsk, on the shore of Lake Onega. The climatic mountain resorts of the Kemerovo region, which are also famous for their balneological springs, are widely known. In summer, you can stay here in a cozy cottage in the wild taiga nature. You can spend time with benefit for your soul and health at the resorts of Tanay and Gornaya Salanga.
In the Leningrad region you can relax with minimal expenses from the family budget. The resorts of Igora and Red Lake are suitable for walks in rocky coniferous areas. Here, nearby, there is the opportunity to raft from mountain rivers and spend time on the surface of mountain lakes. Some tours also involve visiting large mountain waterfalls. The Red Lake resort is located near Mount Krutaya, where a comfortable hotel is also located. The main rest takes place on the shore of the Lake and in the sanatorium, where various procedures are carried out to cleanse and heal the body.
Zinaida Rublevskaya
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In the summer, everyone is attracted to a holiday at sea. But mountain air has no less beneficial effects on the human body than sea water. Have you ever wondered why people live longer in the mountains than on the plains? At the same time, living to a ripe old age, they do not lose clarity of mind and maintain good spirits. They get sick less often, and the recovery process is much faster. Women retain their ability to bear children longer.
The mountain air is clean, it is filled with the aroma of healing mountain herbs and flowers. He is not familiar with concepts such as dust, exhaust fumes or industrial waste. It’s easy to breathe in the mountains, and it’s impossible to get enough air.
Mountain air: beneficial properties
Anyone who breathes mountain air notices a lasting improvement in well-being, a surge of strength and energy, and performance noticeably improves. This is due to the fact that there is less air pressure in the mountains. If you rise to a height of 4 kilometers, the air pressure will be 460 mm. rt. column, and at an altitude of 6 km – 350 mmHg. The higher you rise in the mountains, the less air density, and therefore the amount of oxygen. It’s a paradox – but this has a positive effect on human health.
Oxygen oxidizes the body, contributes to aging and the occurrence of many diseases. But it is impossible to live completely without oxygen. To significantly prolong life, you need to achieve an optimal flow of oxygen into the body. And this can be done at an altitude of 1200-1500 meters above sea level. The approximate oxygen content here is 10%.
With a lack of oxygen, the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous and other systems of the body are rebuilt. Reserve forces are activated. The work of the chest and lungs increases, a person breathes more often, ventilation of the lungs and delivery of oxygen to the blood improves. Due to increased heart rate, blood circulation increases and the speed of oxygen delivery to tissues increases. The process of formation of new red blood cells intensifies, and the hemoglobin content in the blood increases. Thus, you can inexpensively and effectively restore and improve your health.
Advantages of mountain resorts
Vacationers at mountain resorts note improved mood and increased vitality. Mountain air has a beneficial effect on human vitality.
In the mountains, the air is transparent, its density decreases, and the content of dust and water vapor in it decreases. Solar radiation is stronger. It ionizes mountain air, including the formation of negative ions of oxygen and ozone. And people need them just like vitamins in food.
Solar radiation kills many types of pathogenic microbes and decomposes organic matter. Thin air increases the body's resistance to the negative effects of radiation. But when relaxing in mountain resorts, you need to remember that at high altitudes the share of ultraviolet radiation increases, and you can get a sunburn. Therefore, take care to protect your eyes and face - use sunglasses and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
Science has clearly proven that with the help of mountain air it is possible to treat occupational diseases associated with damage to the upper respiratory tract, allergic and immunodeficiency conditions, bronchial asthma, diseases of the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. Unlike drug treatment, hypoxic therapy eliminates side effects.
In the mountains you can find both passive and active recreation. It’s not for nothing that the poet said that only mountains can be better than mountains.