We get a natural high in one of two ways- either through adrenalin, which gives you that switched on feeling for short bursts - or from serotonin, which makes you feel calm and comfortable for longer periods. The real high comes from a balance of them both.
There are five main chemicals in your body to think about:
Adrenalin: gives you speed and confidence in busy times.
Serotonin: makes you comfortable, relaxed and happy
Cortisol: is the back up for when you run out of adrenalin, useful for times of enormous stress
Melatonin: is necessary for when you need to sleep deeply
Insulin: is the key to controlling your sugar levels.
How well you sleep is one of the determinants for allowing your body to restore the chemical balance.
A poor diet will create stress in your body, so it’s forced to use emergency system chemicals to suppress appetite and give you what you need to get you through the day. Some foods elevate serotonin levels and others elevate adrenalin.
Exercise also trigger effect. Good fitness means you can manage pressure with less adrenalin. Some exercises increase serotonin production.
How you think influences body chemistry. If you feel fear, adrenaline will activate. Serotonin levels decrease when you are sad. Managing your thoughts is essential for balance of chemistry in your body.
Each of the five chemicals we’ve talked about create a distinct effect on your physiology. If you learn to recognise their effects, you can intervene in the process and manage your emotions.
The adrenaline high can be addictive and gets you going but it isn’t good for serotonin levels. It also dumps sugar into your system so you may suffer from an insulin overreaction.
You’re also in danger of crashing. When you slow down you may notice you get sick. This is because a high on adrenalin falsely maintains your immune system. Slow down and you have a lowered immune system.
Are you an adrenaline junkie?
Do you have a strong desire to be doing something constantly, even on holiday or on weekends?
Are you constantly thinking about what needs to be done?
Does relaxing get you feeling guilty?
Do you feel like rushing in traffic, even when you don’t need to?
Do you fidget?
Do you feel vague sense of depression?
If you answer yes, then perhaps it’s time to reevaluate how you use the chemicals in your body to manage your life? The key is to know when to tap into the adrenalin, because of the hazards of prolonged use of it.
Caffeine, sugar, fatty foods, pressure, “pep” talks can all trigger adrenaline release. The key is to realise when you need it’s there without these “props”.
When you drive, take time out to play CD”s, and when you’re home allow yourself to time to read something other than the page of the newspaper. Learn to have the peak state when it is needed and the rest of your time go into cruise mode. You will ultimately have more energy and feel more capable.
What are three things you could do that would enable you to experience a new level of health and vitality, based on what you have just learnt?
