From chronic inflammation and digestive disturbances to blood pressure issues, anxiety and low morale, barometric pressure affects each of us in unique and consequential ways.
Wow I haven't had this experience of such changes in altitude (most has been 700m difference) but absolutely I know environment impacts my energy levels, mood, sleeping patterns, all of which affects digestion, cycles, general feelings of well being (or not) etc. I'm sorry to read about your relationship with Stefan, Elisha. On the flipside, it sounds like your relationship with self is thriving in this environment supporting you to be quintessentially you!
Hi Jess, thank you for your care and thoughtful comment ☺️ I've been tracking environmental impacts for a long, long time, but elevation was a new one to me too! I believe it has to do, specifically, with fluid flow in the body - which is such an important process to track in order to make sense of pain/disease and healing. Not everyone will notice changes in their body (although many among us are simply not paying attention). Where have you noticed that you feel best?
That makes total sense. What suits me best is Brisbane Australia where the weather is warm but not ultra tropical, sun rises at 5.30 and sets at 6/7pm so I enjoy magic mornings for exercise etc in the first light of the day before full heat and eat and wind down early, getting to bed at a reasonable time. The climate encourages inside/outside living, windows open, alfresco dining rather than closed in heating or aircon. For me it's about feeling balanced and a part of my environment not separate from it. By contrast I've lived in cold, rainy countries and tropical, humid countries, being shut off from the outside and the sunrise/set affects my natural circadian rhythm with the flow on effect to how I feel day to day and the lifestyle I lead
My sense about altitude also is air quality. I live along the gulf coast, the air is thick, humid, probably always contains mold spores. Hard on the lungs. At higher altitudes the air seems cleaner, easier to breathe and therefore oxygenates the blood more readily. Love to hear your thoughts
Hi Julie - that's what I thought back in spring, when I took a trip to Joshua Tree (two hours east in the desert). I felt so much better in the dry air, and cried when it was time to go back. But my body didn't have the immediate changes that occurred spending just one night in Flagstaff, for example. I have NO doubt that the humid air of southern Cali exacerbated my symptoms (and my bad mood), but the physics of the tennis ball just make sense. It's all about fluids in my body traveling farther, faster. The dry air here helps (a lot), but to be honest this area is now known for some of the worst air pollution in the country. Denver consistently ranks up there with Dubai and Shanghai.
Ironically, the reason I left Colorado in 2018 was because I got really sick with acute mercury poisoning, and after months of research concluded that it was from the air. Since I don't eat fish, have no amalgam fillings and don't even buy the new light bulbs that have mercury in them, I was certain the exposure was environmental. My research led me to conclude it was from a combination of fracking, the fact that Colorado uses coal ash on the icy streets in winter, and there is a cement plant near a lot of my favorite trails. I'm choosing to move back regardless, and will no doubt write something about this because I've learned enough about toxicity, sickness and healing that I'm no longer afraid of toxins like mercury. That doesn't mean I think we should expose ourselves needlessly, but the understanding I now have has given me a deep trust that I can live a healthy life even if I am breathing polluted air.
Very interesting! I guess it's hard to find any place without unpolluted air (or food, water, house). Some worse than others of course. I look very forward to you sharing about how you came to trust your body while in toxicity!!
This absolutely resonates, thank you for this post! I notice that I feel more awake, and have better energy when I'm at sea level. I spent many years living in Boulder, CO, too, and didn't feel terrible. My biggest issue seems to be more tied to temperature and humidity. I live in Tucson, AZ now and have struggled - especially in the summer months. I've been curious about Ayurveda and from what I've learned, I feel like it has been pretty spot on with my constitution and how this environment has been impacting me. Totally fascinating.
Wow I haven't had this experience of such changes in altitude (most has been 700m difference) but absolutely I know environment impacts my energy levels, mood, sleeping patterns, all of which affects digestion, cycles, general feelings of well being (or not) etc. I'm sorry to read about your relationship with Stefan, Elisha. On the flipside, it sounds like your relationship with self is thriving in this environment supporting you to be quintessentially you!
Hi Jess, thank you for your care and thoughtful comment ☺️ I've been tracking environmental impacts for a long, long time, but elevation was a new one to me too! I believe it has to do, specifically, with fluid flow in the body - which is such an important process to track in order to make sense of pain/disease and healing. Not everyone will notice changes in their body (although many among us are simply not paying attention). Where have you noticed that you feel best?
That makes total sense. What suits me best is Brisbane Australia where the weather is warm but not ultra tropical, sun rises at 5.30 and sets at 6/7pm so I enjoy magic mornings for exercise etc in the first light of the day before full heat and eat and wind down early, getting to bed at a reasonable time. The climate encourages inside/outside living, windows open, alfresco dining rather than closed in heating or aircon. For me it's about feeling balanced and a part of my environment not separate from it. By contrast I've lived in cold, rainy countries and tropical, humid countries, being shut off from the outside and the sunrise/set affects my natural circadian rhythm with the flow on effect to how I feel day to day and the lifestyle I lead
My sense about altitude also is air quality. I live along the gulf coast, the air is thick, humid, probably always contains mold spores. Hard on the lungs. At higher altitudes the air seems cleaner, easier to breathe and therefore oxygenates the blood more readily. Love to hear your thoughts
Hi Julie - that's what I thought back in spring, when I took a trip to Joshua Tree (two hours east in the desert). I felt so much better in the dry air, and cried when it was time to go back. But my body didn't have the immediate changes that occurred spending just one night in Flagstaff, for example. I have NO doubt that the humid air of southern Cali exacerbated my symptoms (and my bad mood), but the physics of the tennis ball just make sense. It's all about fluids in my body traveling farther, faster. The dry air here helps (a lot), but to be honest this area is now known for some of the worst air pollution in the country. Denver consistently ranks up there with Dubai and Shanghai.
Ironically, the reason I left Colorado in 2018 was because I got really sick with acute mercury poisoning, and after months of research concluded that it was from the air. Since I don't eat fish, have no amalgam fillings and don't even buy the new light bulbs that have mercury in them, I was certain the exposure was environmental. My research led me to conclude it was from a combination of fracking, the fact that Colorado uses coal ash on the icy streets in winter, and there is a cement plant near a lot of my favorite trails. I'm choosing to move back regardless, and will no doubt write something about this because I've learned enough about toxicity, sickness and healing that I'm no longer afraid of toxins like mercury. That doesn't mean I think we should expose ourselves needlessly, but the understanding I now have has given me a deep trust that I can live a healthy life even if I am breathing polluted air.
Thanks for your question - it's a good one.
Very interesting! I guess it's hard to find any place without unpolluted air (or food, water, house). Some worse than others of course. I look very forward to you sharing about how you came to trust your body while in toxicity!!
Fascinating! as your enquiry always is, thanks & so happy for you 🐡🐡🐡
Thank you Kirsti 🐡🙃🥰
This absolutely resonates, thank you for this post! I notice that I feel more awake, and have better energy when I'm at sea level. I spent many years living in Boulder, CO, too, and didn't feel terrible. My biggest issue seems to be more tied to temperature and humidity. I live in Tucson, AZ now and have struggled - especially in the summer months. I've been curious about Ayurveda and from what I've learned, I feel like it has been pretty spot on with my constitution and how this environment has been impacting me. Totally fascinating.