Hi, I’m Dr. Nick.  Welcome to the Elevation Principle:  achieving new heights in your business, life and health.  

A change of seasons and the challenge to adapt.

I feel blessed and fortunate to live in a climate where we get four seasons.  In fact, I need to brag a bit about my hometown, Grand Junction, Colorado.  In the early-mid spring, during favorable conditions, you can go ski for a half day with about an hour drive to the resort and back (at 10,000 ft. elevation).  On that same day, you could get 9 holes of golf in, and finish it off with an evening mountain bike ride.  All in the same day!  Where else can you do that!?  Western Colorado is quite the unique environment.

So, speaking of the environment and having four seasons, with each season we go through, our body has to adapt to the environmental conditions and temperature changes.  We overlook this as what is expected and demanded of our body and instead focus on spending millions of dollars on high-tech gear that makes us feel like less of a cry-baby when it’s hot or cold.  But let’s look at the most high tech thing of all!  Your body’s ability to adapt!

Recent research published in “Nature Communications” demonstrates that our genes change expression with the change in seasons.  We adapt as the weather changes.  Our bodies’ mucosal membranes change (the lining of your sinus passages, throat, and esophagus – first part of your digestive tract) as the season changes.  It’s really quite amazing!

I remember vacationing in Phoenix, Arizona in March.  We left cold temperatures, high’s in the 40’s, to the beautiful sunshine and outdoor pool in Arizona with high temperatures in the 60’s!  Woo hoo!  We were the only ones at the pool!  By our bodies conditioning of the cold temps, 60 degrees felt like summer!

I marvel at one of my patient’s stories’ of telling me about working in Saudi Arabia.  The nomads there live in huts in the desert.  120+ degrees and none of them wear sunglasses.  No air conditioning. Wow.

Our body is capable of much more than we give it credit for.

How can we support our body through its adaptation from season to season?  Eat well, especially during a transition from season to season.  Decrease sugar intake and make sure you are getting enough sleep as we transition from season to season.  Increase your Vitamin D intake when we go through periods of less daylight (winter).  Most importantly, get out and move – exercise, all year long.  No excuses.

Listen to your body.  It knows more than your intellect and way more than all the high tech gear we review and adore.  Start adoring your body and it will support you!