The first few nights at a higher altitude can result in poor sleep. When you’re already losing out on oxygen, you can’t afford to also lose out on sleep… brain fog is dangerous especially when you’re in the mountains! You need your wits about you. Here are our 5 tips on how to sleep better at high altitudes:
If you’re headed to a destination that’s higher than 9,000 feet above sea level, the CDC recommends working your way up to sleeping at such heights. A couple nights at 8,000 will make it safer and easier for your body to adjust to lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes.
Alcohol exacerbates the effects of high altitudes, so if you’re having trouble sleeping, lay off the booze and make sure to hydrate!
Just breathing at a higher altitude can be laborious. Give your body a break and take it easy the first couple nights. Strenuous activity will make it harder to adjust.
Waking up with altitude sickness can feel a lot like a hangover: headaches, feeling tired, nausea, etc. More extreme and dangerous conditions triggered by high altitudes include brain and lung swelling. Giving your body a few nights to adjust to a new altitude is essential. OTC medications can help you power through those low grade symptoms, which should clear on their own after a few nights at high altitude. If symptoms aren’t improving or getting worse while resting at altitude for a couple nights, it could be an indication of a dangerous reaction and immediate descent to a lower altitude is essential to avoid serious risks.
Sleep is so important for your health and when your body is adjusting to a new altitude, you need all the help you can get! Whether it’s melatonin, earplugs, eye shade, teddy bear, or a HEST Pillow, whatever you need to bring to set you up for success in falling & staying asleep, bring it! The comfier you are… the better you sleep… the faster you adjust… you get the picture.
