At last, solid proof for what we’ve long suspected: skiing and snowboarding are good for you. And that’s not just because they’re both great fun and put a smile on your face but because this also improves our health, happiness, red blood cell count and makes us live longer. The evidence has always been there for us to see: the bearded septuagenarian bounding past you for the fifteenth time as you struggle down your first run of the day. Here’s his secret...
Sunlight.
Are you SAD? 1 in
50 people in the UK suffer from seasonal affective disorder which is a type of
depression which commonly occurs during the winter months when the days are
shorter. You travel to and from work in the dark, are cooped up in the office
all day, and levels of serotonin, the brain’s natural mood lifter, drop. SADs
can vary from mild winter blues to a more severe form where people can’t
function in the winter without treatment. So, get treatment and get up on the
mountain.
Adrenalin.
We’re all just
animals, obviously some creationists may disagree, but we need to exercise our
fight or flight responses. What safer, or better, way of doing this than
searching out the steepest black run you can find, or something just a little
bit beyond your normal comfort zone. The adrenalin surge will activate the beta
receptors in your nervous system causing your heart to beat faster and
increasing air to the lungs. This stimulates the brain, and the endorphin rush
of relief when it’s over, will make you feel like a super human after every
run.
Altitude.
Can the news get
any better? Just being at altitude can make you thin, fit and desirable - at
least the first two are true. A couple of years ago the Austrian Moderate
Altitude Study was carried out. Men who were overweight and suffered from high
blood pressure and high cholesterol were prescribed walks at an altitude of between
1400m and 2000M. The result? Exercise at altitude improves heart function and
circulation, lowers blood pressure and burns calories. There was also an
increased number of young red blood cells. So, as far as the theory goes,
skiing rocks and just getting off at the top of the Aiguille du Midi (3842m)
could add years to your life.
Fresh Air.
Spending time in
the great outdoors helps to prevent disease and boost recovery. You can avoid
the pretty nasty particles which float around in the urban air. According to
some Harvard boffins in their Six Cities 1993 study those people living in the
most polluted cities have a 26% greater risk of dying young than those in the
cleanest. So give yourself a break from the congested traffic and polluted air
and breath in that fresh, crisp, revitalising mountain air.
Learning.
Learning is good
for us. Your parents told you so and they were right, but they and you need to
heed that advice. Learning new skills later in life can slow down the onset of
dementia. Attempting challenges such as learning a foreign language - which you
can practice at the bar - or new skills, such as skiing, will reduce the risk
of getting age related symptoms and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
So, what are you
waiting for? Skiing is not only great fun but also scientifically proven to be
good for you. Now that surely is an unbeatable combination.
Disclaimer:
This article is only for informative purposes. This article is not intended to
be a medical advice and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Please consult your doctor for your medical concerns. Please follow any tip
given in this article only after consulting your doctor. The author is not
liable for any outcome or damage resulting from information obtained from this
article.
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