In my completely bias opinion, Colorado is one of the best states to spend a summer; especially if you love the outdoors!
As many of you may have heard, Denver is the “Mile High City” because we stand at 5,280 feet in elevation. And this is just the capital; Mount Elbert, our tallest mountain, stands at 14,440 feet. Given the beauty and enticing nature of the Rocky Mountains, a lot of visitors and locals spend their weekends hiking 14ners (http://14ers.com/), camping (http://www.tripleblaze.com/best/?c=60), off-roading, ATVing, rafting, kayaking, and just enjoying the beautiful parks.
To find out more about CO getaways and activities, visit: http://www.coloradodirectory.com/Tents/TentSearch.html
So do all these fabulous ranges equate to healthy living?
Well, Colorado has been rated the thinnest and most fit states in the United States (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/29/fittest-states-in-the-cou_n_630079.html#s108055&title=10_New_Jersey). We also have the lowest obesity percent making Coloradans as a whole, a healthy bunch (http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/07/us-usa-obesity-idUSTRE7663JD20110707)! However, even with all of these statistics, Colorado does not even make the Top 10 for healthiest states, a statistic I still find shocking (http://www.gazette.com/articles/colorado-109186-healthiest-state.html). The United Health Foundation believes that the lower ranking of the overall state health can be attributed to lower immunization and health insurance rates of the people (http://www.americashealthrankings.org/yearcompare/2009/2010/CO.aspx).
At DU, we require students to have some form of health insurance as a means of protecting the students from possible health problems, and bills that may occur during they’re time here. There are of course many precautionary steps one can take to stay healthy when living in a high altitude:
- Remember 8x8 (drink 8 glasses of 8 ounces a day). This will keep you hydrated. Be weary of soda, energy drinks, and coffee, these can all contribute to dehydration.
- Wash your hands! This seems like such a simple thing; however, a good hygiene can help fight little bugs going around campus or a city
- Work out! A healthy heart and healthy mind work in tandem. A cautionary note, if you do come from a lower elevation, don’t expect to be able to do your normal work-out right away. It is not a reflection of your fitness, your body just is not yet adapted to high altitude.
- Eat a balanced diet! This still includes sweets! Having a healthy diet will help your body be better prepared for possible bugs. Also, try to avoid snacking; it can lead to unwanted weight gain
- Get sleep! Yes, there is a bit of irony in this coming from myself, but adequate sleep can alter how you look, think, and feel in a positive way. What’s better than that?!
Checkout other statistics on CO: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08000.html
Check out DU’s Health Center: http://www.du.edu/duhealth/index.html
Interested in Peer Education: http://www.du.edu/duhealth/duped/
As always, feel free to use me as a resource!
