1. arrive and take a deep breath
Have you ever noticed that you breathe faster in stressful situations? You don't have to be a professional yogi to practise the simplest form of relaxation properly. Arrive on the mountain pasture, enjoy the moment and let the fresh mountain air flow deep into your lungs. Breathe in and out consciously, concentrating only on the sound and feeling of breathing. You'll see, it works wonders! Because consciously breathing in and out for a few breaths is the best stress killer there is. The best way to do this is to lie down in the fragrant alpine herbs directly in front of your alpine hut.

2. switch off the cell phone and switch on the Almzeit
High up, where you are a little closer to the sky, cell phone reception becomes a distant memory in these times of digital detox. You may lose the connection to your iPhone and iPad in your self-catering hut at 1,800 meters, but you can rebuild relationships on vacation in the mountains: with your family, with nature and with a life without frills. All the more reason to switch off your mobile devices for once and explore the adventurous surroundings without Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook. And instead of Pokémon Go, go in search of real animals that can be found on the mountain pasture!

3. spend the day in rhythm with nature
You may notice that you are living in rhythm with nature after just 4-5 days on the mountain pasture, when you get up with the larks and can enjoy the daily routine on a mountain hut to the full - power nap included! Because if you spend a lot of time in nature, you automatically adjust your biorhythm - daylight is the best way to keep it in balance. And at the same time, you'll sleep like a log because it's quieter and darker on the alpine pasture than anywhere else.
A good night's sleep comes at the latest when you see the big car, which is not parked in front of the cabin door this time, but in the endless firmament...
4. hike directly from the hut
In purely developmental terms, humans are very persistent walkers. Our bodies are designed for a lot of movement in nature. In short: we love movement! But our lives in today's industrialized nations are the exact opposite of this: We spend the majority of our time indoors - with inadequate lighting, poor air quality and mostly sitting down. So it's hardly surprising that these living conditions can make us ill - mentally, physically and spiritually. But we can do a lot for our health without much effort: incorporate as much exercise as possible into our alpine hut vacation - and use the time on the mountain for hiking, cycling and touring. The hut landlords know the most beautiful tours in the area and will certainly be happy to give you a fitness tip or two.

5. heat the stove in the hut yourself
A hut vacation in Austria is relaxing. You notice this at the latest when chopping the logs for the tiled stove. The logs that you have split with all your strength in the morning crackle in the stove and heat up the roast pork, which already smells tempting when you return to your hut hungry from hiking and treading streams.
6. refresh yourself in the cool spring water
Many people already know that the ice-cold water in the fountain on their doorstep tastes great. If you wash the sleep out of your eyes with ice-cold fountain water in the morning, nothing stands in the way of a fun day on the mountain pasture. Tired hiking legs or even forearms need to be refreshed - a little Kneipp bath really gets the circulation going!

7. sharpen the senses - feel, smell, hear, taste
During a vacation on the mountain pasture, the music plays and you sit in front of the mountain hut - first row free of feet - and listen to the impressive sounds of nature. Try to find five things that you can see, feel and smell.... You're sure to find them on the mountain pasture. Then you'll suddenly be living in the here and now - and can enjoy the moment to the full. Find your way back to yourself.
Fancy a vacation on the mountain pasture?
We can advise you individually. With us you are guaranteed to get the best insider tips for a relaxing alpine hut vacation!
Just call +43 463 330099 or send an e-mail to office@urlaubaufderalm.com.
Marlies Glatz
Assistent Farm Holidays in Carinthia, 9 Article(s)