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The Best Climate
The stimulating effect of the alpine regions
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Chapter: Weather Sensitivity
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Headaches and migraines
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Weather Headaches and Migraine
Weather and Arthritis, Fibromyalgia
Rheumatism
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Where is the best climate?
I can’t recall how often I have been asked this question, but my answer has always been: “It depends.” It depends on what the person is looking for in his or her ideal climate. A fit person probably prefers the stimulating climatic effects of the coast or the alpine region, while a person suffering from arthritis or cardiovascular problems does prefer a soothing or healing climate.
The weather services of some countries employ scientists to figure out where to find a stimulating, soothing and healing climate. But, even if your country doesn’t have such a service, the findings of Germany, for example, should apply to most other places.
The climate, or bioclimate as it is called when health benefits are expected, plays an important part in the accreditation process for a health resort or spa in Germany. This makes sense as you don’t want to allow a place to call itself a health resort when, for example, the pollution is above the healthy level.
Basically, the biometeorolgists distinguish between three climatic regions: the coast and adjacent lowlands, the alpine regions, and the middle ranges in between.
The bioclimate of coast and lowlands
The climate in these regions can be stimulating and soothing at the same time:
- People suffering from respiratory illnesses and allergies to airborne particles or chemicals benefit from the clean, fresh and salty air near the coast.
- The ocean moderates temperature variations, which is welcome by someone with heart and blood pressure problems.
- The iodine content of the salty air soothes skin disorders such as psiorasis and acne.
- The cooling effect of a strong breeze stimulates the cardiovascular system of healthy and fit people,
- but is unwelcome by someone suffering from rheumatic disorders.
Biometeorologists see the climate in the high country (above 1000m) as stimulating rather than soothing. The lower level of oxygen makes you inhale deeper than you would in the lowlands. This is good training for the respiratory system, but, as a consequence, increases the heart rate and blood pressure. The blood pressure rises further in the expected low temperatures of high altitude. This stimulating or training effect is good for a healthy person, but someone with underlying cardiovascular problems would benefit from the climate at lower altitudes.
A negative factor is the intense ultraviolet radiation. You should take extra precautions when holidaying in the alpine regions during any time of the year.
The ideal climate of the middle ranges
If there is such a thing as an ideal climate, the middle ranges between 500m and 1000m could have it. The ranges are high enough in altitude to be above pollution and low enough to avoid the temperature and radiation extremes of the high country.
Generally accepted as soothing and healing, the climate has the following characteristics:
- low UV radiation levels when compared to the coastal and alpine regions
- away from the exposed hilltops, the temperature variations are moderate
- the air, in particular in or near forests, is usually clean and high in beneficial negative ions
Overall, the climate should benefit everyone and particularly someone with respiratory, cardiovascular, and rheumatic disorders.
