Altitude Sickness

Santa Fe is located 7200 feet above sea level.  This means you’ll weigh slightly less (very, very slightly less) and water boils at a lower temperature (92°C versus 100°C). It also means visitors might experience altitude sickness.  Symptoms can include, but are not limited to, headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, and excessive flatulence (totally true!). Combined with dehydration due to Santa Fe’s dry desert climate, this can make for a miserable vacation.  Luckily, there are some very easy things you (yes, YOU!) can do to help prevent and/or reduce the physiological effects of high altitude travel.*

Most importantly: Stay hydrated! Drink lots and lots and lots of water.  Drink extra, extra water if you’re also drinking caffeine and/or alcohol. Take a water bottle with you if you’re out and about. Make sure children are also drinking plenty of water.

Secondly: Take it easy! Your lungs are working harder since atmospheric pressure is lower.  This can make simple tasks (going up stairs, walking, living) seem more tiring, and strenuous tasks (running, hiking, jumping on hotel beds) seem downright impossible.

Finally: Rest.  Some of my personal favorite resting activities: sleeping in, enjoying a siesta, lounging at a long lunch, going to bed early, finding a comfy chair and reading a book, taking a bubble bath, getting a massage, or staring blankly into space.

If you’re unfortunate enough to encounter altitude sickness, treating the symptoms (headaches, nausea, flatulence) with your chosen remedy (Advil, Pepto-Bismol, farting) often alleviates the associated discomfort.

         *We’re not doctors.  These recommendations come from Wikipedia and personal experience, so put as much faith in this advice as you feel the sources warrant. We just want to help you not feel bad when you visit us. Seek professional medical if you feel it’s necessary.

Sun Exposure

                        High altitude + desert sun = quick and easy sunburns. Please, please, please wear sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, etc., and make sure your kiddos (if you’ve got ‘um) are sun-safe too.