Are you ready to elevate your life and step up to Bend’s lofty altitude? As one of Oregon’s most beautiful regions, Bend is a popular destination for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. But, with an elevation of 3,623 feet, this city presents a unique challenge for those coming from sea level.
Those who are not used to higher altitudes can experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea and poor sleep. This unfortunately, can put a damper on anyone’s plans to explore the great outdoors in Bend. However, with some simple tricks and precautions, anyone can smoothly and easily adjust to the higher altitudes of Bend without the headaches.
Stay Hydrated
The most important and easy thing to remember when adjusting to a higher altitude is to stay hydrated. This is especially important considering Bend’s dry climate. Drinking plenty of water helps to prevent headaches, reduces fatigue, and can maximize physical performance. Furthermore, regularly using a good moisturizer can help to protect your skin from the dry climate as well.
Start Slowly with Physical Activity
When you get to Bend, it can be tempting to hop right into all the amazing outdoor activity that it offers. But, jumping in too quickly can make you feel pretty miserable. Give your body some time to acclimate by taking it easy for the first few days. Start with gentle hikes or light recreational activities. Gradually increase your level of physical activity and give yourself time to rest in between.
Get Plenty of Sleep
As soon as you get to Bend, make sure you’re getting plenty of good-quality sleep. One of the most common side effects of adjusting to a higher altitude is insomnia. To help you sleep better, try a few relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation before bed. Make sure to keep your sleeping environment as cool and dark as possible, which can help to encourage restful sleep in a higher altitude climate.
Supplement with Iron & Vitamin C
To help your body adjust to Bend’s higher altitude, you may want to consider adding some helpful supplements to your diet. Magnesium and Vitamin B6 can help the body to better utilize oxygen and L-citrulline can help increase nitric oxide levels which helps to optimize oxygen delivery to the brain. Iron and vitamin C can also be beneficial to supplement as they can help increase hemoglobin levels and hemoglobin transport, which can help your body to cope better in higher altitudes.
Learn Proper Breathing Techniques
One of the most important things you need to practice when adjusting to a high altitude is proper breathing techniques. When you take the time to practice deep, slow and rhythmic breaths, you can help to reduce the amount of nitrogen you take in. Practicing these breathing techniques can help to significantly reduce symptoms of altitude sickness and make you feel much more comfortable.
Stay at a Lower Elevation
If even after following all of the tips in the article, you still find yourself really struggling with the higher altitude, one thing you can do is find a place to stay at a lower elevation. For example, Tumalo offers a lower elevation closer to Bend for those who are still having a hard time adjusting.
Conclusion
As long as you are prepared and take the time and care to adjust properly, you can easily enjoy the more than 300 days of sunshine and outdoor activities Bend has to offer. Hopefully the tips in this article can help to make your adjustment to Bend’s higher altitude as smooth as possible so that you can enjoy all the beauty that Bend has to offer without the headaches!
