“Faster, Faster. Until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death”.
Hunter S. Thompson’s insight into the mind of an accelerating motorcyclist is the perfect analogy for any adrenaline seeker. What others dread, we desire. To say it’s danger we seek would be wrong, more than anyone an adrenaline seeker understands the risks, and so to the rewards. Life with both feet planted firmly on the ground is one thing, but you don’t need wings to truly fly. All it takes is the willingness to push yourself, and trust me when I say you will soar. So how to find adrenaline when you’re working 9 to 5.
Telling yourself you’ll escape the daily grind and live that life of adventure and activity you know deep down you crave is one thing, actually cutting the cord and chasing that feeling day in and day out is another story. For the majority of us mere mortals it’s a life on the grid. Paying bills, punching the clock and dealing with life as it comes.
“That search for adrenaline comes in waves. Taking a holiday here or a long weekend there to chase that feeling. But what about the lulls in between?”
They say life is about the highs and lows but that’s only part of it. It’s the neutral ground that takes most of our time, the calm in between that perfect personal storm you’re chasing. Don’t get stuck in a rut, your 9 to 5 doesn’t mean you stop chasing that feeling, it just means getting a little creative.
To start with, dive right back into the memory of your last adrenaline experience. Whether it was diving with Great White Sharks in South Africa or just jumping off a cliff into the waves by your mates place, putting yourself squarely back in an exciting memory is proven to replicate that feeling in part. The emotion itself may not be as intense as the first time, but the recollection is just as real.
Emotional memories are best accessed by cues, it’s why certain anniversaries always make you feel a certain way (which is why you should never break up with your girl on Christmas or your Birthday!) Bring reminders of your last awesome experience to work with you. Seeing photos from your ski trip or a postcard from your surfing odyssey will help stave off the frustration of being in the 9 to 5 and give you that little boost of adrenaline you need to get through the day.
Planning your next activity or adventure is a killer way to get those feelings back. Recent studies have shown that just planning an activity can result in an immediate boost of happiness. Focusing on your adventure as it gets closer, visualising the experience and counting down, will build up little hits of adrenaline as you go, leaving those days feeling blue at the desk long behind you.
Adrenaline is all about your brain facing a new and unknown situation and then flooding it with Epinephrine, more commonly known as adrenaline. That chemical reward system inside your head doesn’t have to come from catching a foot of air on your board or hurtling down a mountain on your bike, it’s the little things that count in life and that’s just as true in your 9 to 5.
“Try something new at work, eat a cuisine you’ve never tried, put yourself forward for a project you’ve never considered.”
If it makes you nervous, it builds your adrenaline and when you come out the other side unscathed you will feel that rush and be thankful you did.
It’s not exactly chasing adrenaline but if you’re stinging for a natural high at work then it can be as simple as smashing out a few sets at the gym. Whether it’s before work, during or after you can use your pent up, and otherwise unused, adrenaline to help take your workout to the next level. Crushing it at the gym will release endorphins, a famous natural high, so you can coast through the rest of your day with a buzz.
Adding a healthy dose of adrenaline to your routine isn’t limited to dropping massive amounts of coin on sky diving or getting your diving certificate. Adrenaline is out there. You just have to be willing to push past your fears until you find the thrill to enjoy it.
Looking for more inspiration? Read about Adventuring, the new athleticism.
Last updated on Jan 10, 2020Have you subscribed to our Newsletter or Podcast? Listen to us on Apple Podcast and Spotify and follow us on Facebook, Instagram Twitter and YouTube.