First, let me preface this by saying, I have never been high – or drunk either, for that matter.
Maybe I’m just a scaredy-cat but I was always too worried about getting hooked on the feelings of being high.
That, and I’ve never been offered anything to make me high. What a boring sheltered life I’ve lead in many ways!
So if I want to be overcome with feelings of good will, and that all is right with the world, I’ve had to rely on ways to get a natural high.
Here are my top five:
- Admire the view. Like the other week, when I visited the cafe at Mt Gravatt Lookout. I was totally stressed out, but being able to look over the entire city of Brisbane helped me to get everything in perspective, and r-e-l-a-x.
- Jump on a trampoline. One of the best things we ever did for our kids, was get them a trampoline. Hours of fun and entertainment – and not just for them! I don’t think there’s an adult alive that can jump on a trampoline without laughing. It just does that to you. What a great feeling!
- Go for a motorbike ride. The hubster used to have a motorbike, and we loved to go for a ride up to Mt Tamborine or somewhere equally as scenic. There is just something about it, even as a pillion passenger, that blows the cobwebs in your brain away, and opens your mind to fresh new ideas and possibilities. For safety reasons, I’m glad the hubster doesn’t have a motorbike anymore, but it must be said that I miss our rides together.
- Walk by the water. I’m lucky where I live – just a couple of minutes from the bay. Whenever I take the time to go down to the waterfront, I can feel my cares slipping from my shoulders, as if the breeze is blowing them away (it always seems to be windy!). And to go for a walk by the water – well, then all those lovely endorphins kick in and make it even better!
- Floating on your back in the water. Lying back in the water and letting your thoughts drift away (particularly when your ears are submerged, muffling the sounds nearby) is an amazing feeling. Not recommended though if you have a partner or kids likely to jump or splash on you! If it’s not swimming weather, you can bliss out in the bath instead … it’s not quite as good but can still do the trick!
What are your favourite ways to get a natural high?!
I’ve never been high either. I’ve been drunk. Although there was a long time between drinks (15 years) so I’m blaming that.
Not entirely sure what gives me a natural high these days. Probably exercise.
Yes folk say that about exercise, not sure I’ve ever experienced it though 😉
Walking by the water and floating in the water give me a natural high too! As does watching fireworks!
Ooo fireworks is another good one!
Oh Janet, I can relate to that floating feeling. I used to love swimming, especially backstroke! I once met a retired swim coach who said it was very unusual to prefer that stroke. You’ve reminded me it might be time to dive back into swimming. It really has been far too long between visits.
Sadly I can’t swim properly anymore, it really aggravates the bursitis in my shoulder. But I can still float 🙂
I’ll admit, I use to get ‘high’, but that’s a bit of a misnomer. ‘Getting out of it’ is a more appropriate phrase as it’s about disengaging. But what gets me high is physically active work. Yarding and suppliment feeding of the cattle is a good fix. And I don’t ever knock back going up into the range country to get the beasts down. Lots of legging it, falling down and bruises. Totally energising! Not much flowing water around here.
Working at something meaningful can definitely create lots of good feelings. I like your point that getting high is more about getting out of it.
Definitely floating in the water and also walking somewhere beautiful in nature!
I knew you’d like those two Min 😉
I still want a trampoline!!
LOL you should get one!!! It’d give the neighbours something to talk about anyway 😉
Have gotten high but many years ago, I would say preparing for and going on a vacation would be my high now.
Yes, definitely agree with this – we have just booked a week in Bali for my 50th in January and I am so excited!!!
There is nothing wrong with a “sheltered” life! I love the high I get after exercise or after helping someone. xx
That’s a great one Nicole, wish I’d thought of it – the buzz you get from helping someone is awesome!
I would love to have a trampoline, I used to be able to backflip and all that fun stuff when I was younger. Floating is still one of my fav’s or simply swimming in the ocean does it for me every time.
xx N
My mad middle aged friends and I went to Bounce at North Lakes before it burned down. We had a whale of a time though I’m sure all the kids there thought we were OLD and crazy! Heh heh.
Floating is a big one for me. Floating in a pool is great, but the beach is even better 🙂 #teamIBOTR
Yes it’s been too long between floats for me. I’ve always liked the thought of a flotation tank but have never tried one.
I used to have regular floats in a flotation tank and found it very relaxing, once I got used to the sensation of lying in total darkness in a tank of salty water. There are a few places with floatation tanks in Brisbane, including this one at Wooloongabba: https://www.sensorydeprivationbrisbane.com.au/#explore-your-innerverse. Maybe you should try it out sometime and write a blog on the experience?
There are many highs that I can think of like cuddling a newborn baby, walking along the beach, when you give or receive a compliment, have a relaxing massage, feeling high after exercise, having your adult kids visit, travel to a new destination for the first time, climb a mountain, see a really good live band or show, dressing up to the nines and feeling good about yourself – to name a few. But I also love that first mouthful of a chilled glass of white wine!
Ooo love all of these! Except for wine … unless it’s moscato.
Never been high with any substances.. But I do like the after and during effects of hugging for at least 10-15 seconds…that is said to release the hormone oxytocin and helps relaxation and well-being. I know that being ‘in the moment’ is my kind of relaxation and art, mandala creation and walking will do that for me too.
Ooo yes to hugs! I’m a big hugger!!!
Resounding yeses to floating on your back and laughing on the trampoline. Great list Janet !!
Thanks Druime! It’s been too long I need to do both again soon!
I love this list Janet. When I lived at the sunny coast I used to love going for a walk on the beach afterwork and feel the worries just blow away in the breeze. My hubby used to have a motor bike but I was never brave enough to ride with him, maybe I should have given it a go while I had the opportunity 🙁 Those things are scary-thrilling! Jumping on the trampoline is fun with the kids, they are one of THE best kids toys ever invented I recon. Other things I love that get me on a ‘high’ is having a good laugh with friends (or alternatively having a good cry watching a chick flick can sometimes work too! lol) and I love a play, walk or jog in the rain. I also find dancing super fun and singing….. pumping up the music loud and winding the windows down in the car is great! I have never been actually drunk but being around others who are I sometimes get ‘sympathetic’ drunk and very ‘happy’ anyway. lol. I am a strange girl. ….. who intends to visit this cafe you mentioned! I have never been there and know about the Hope foundation too, they do great work. I love a cafe with a playground near by for the kids so thanks heaps for the tip!
Hi Clare! Yes a good laugh with friends, and music you just can’t help but boogie too definitely need to go on the list 🙂
I’ve been high a lot in my early twenties partying days.. that I survived with brain cells in tact! Anything involving water or ocean does it for me now.. so calming. As is hearing one of my kitties purring while snuggling me.. can’t believe you didn’t mention that!
I like all the natural highs on your list apart from motorbike riding which I haven’t done (or maybe once a very long time ago!). Other things I enjoy are laughter yoga which I only discovered this year and really love, sailing on the bay on a beautiful day and snorkeling in clear water with colourful corals and fish (like we did in the Whitsundays last year).
Great list Janet! I have been drunk though, and wouldn’t really say it’s a high to be repeated often, although I do love a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc wine. Like you I’d rather get my highs naturally. For me a walk along the river listening to the birds, watching the kayakers and looking up at the Frangipani trees or ruby red Grevilleas does it for me. Oh, and getting a zillion shares for a blogpost (#hasnthapppenedyet!)