Alright, so I was planning this trip to Denver, and the altitude thing was a big deal. I mean, Denver is the “Mile High City,” right? So, I figured I should check out how to deal with that elevation.
First off, I did some digging around. It turns out Denver sits at 5,280 feet above sea level. That’s a whole mile up in the sky! I’d heard stories of people getting altitude sickness, which sounds pretty nasty. Nausea, headaches, the whole nine yards. No thanks! So I knew I had to be smart about this.
I started with the most obvious thing – drinking water. I mean, tons of water. Before I even got there, I was chugging water like a fish. Then, during the trip, I always had a water bottle with me. I refilled it whenever I got a chance.
- Hydrate like crazy. Seriously, I can’t emphasize this enough. Water is your best friend.
- Take it easy on the first day. I didn’t plan anything too strenuous. Just walked around, checked out the city, and let my body adjust.
- Avoid booze and coffee, at least initially. I heard those can dehydrate you, which is the opposite of what you want.
- Eat carbs. Apparently, your body needs more calories at higher altitudes, and carbs are a good source. I had a good excuse for an extra slice of pizza.
- Listen to my body. If I felt dizzy or had a headache, I took a break, sat down, and had some water.
Here’s what I actually did:
I have to say, it worked out pretty well. I did feel a little lightheaded a couple of times, especially when I climbed stairs too fast. But nothing major. I didn’t get full-blown altitude sickness, which was a relief.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Denver, or any high-altitude place, don’t freak out. Just be prepared. Drink water, take it easy, and listen to your body. You’ll be just fine, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery without feeling like crap.
Oh, and one more thing. It got pretty chilly at night, even in the summer. The altitude does that. So bring a jacket, even if you think you won’t need it. You’ll thank me later!
