Saturday, January 10, 2009

LET'S GET HIGH TOGETHER!

This post is about "natural" highs. I'm sure we have all heard the phrase, "Different strokes for different folks!" Some people get high off drugs but some of us get high off just everyday things that make us feel good.

Natural highs come from the release of endorphins, body chemicals that are known as "feel good" chemicals. Endorphins give you a sense of well being and there are many healthy ways to get a natural high.

Some people use caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs to get this feeling but others can achieve this state of well-being by balancing pleasure and happiness.

For instance, you might get a natural high from going out for a jog.















I like to take a bubble bath with lots of bubbles and a glass of wine.


Some people enjoy giving and receiving hugs.



I love going to the beach and listening to music!




Watching the sunrise. A good conversation. Laughing till my face hurts. Playing with my grandson. Hanging out with my children.

Natural highs make us feel good and put us in a blissful state or a state of euphoria. I read somewhere that you don't age during this time.

What are some things that give you a "natural" high???

26 comments:

bobbie said...

I have felt a high like that in a redwood forest, and standing high on the rock that holds Big Sur Lighthouse, looking out over the Pacific at the whales migrating by, and again, in the freezing cold, watching a shower of stars racing through the sky. I feel it watching eagles soar. This world is full of things that just make your heart sing.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh Judy---I have so many passions and can have 'natural highs' from so many things that it's hard to pick out a few.. But here goes some of my 'highs': seeing a sunrise or sunset, seeing SNOW, hiking in the woods, waterfalls, watching the birds, EATING (ha), talking to my bloggy friends, seeing my sons, seeing my grands, etc.etc.etc.
Hugs,
Betsy

The Muse said...

LOL there isn't enough room here to list them all..however...i see that visiting this blog is quickly becoming one of them!

Sylvia K said...

Ah, there are a lot of them! Watching sunrises and sunsets and taking pictures of them, being with my kids, walking on the beach, blogging, spending time with friends, laughing, good food, good wine, beautiful music, just the peaceful quiet at night, watching a good movie, listening to a lovely concert! And the list goes on! All lovely, fun, inspiring.

Kelly said...

What a fun post, Judy! My newest way to experience that good ole' endorphin "high" is learning more about the Old Historic Route 66. We've taken several road trips along different sections of Route 66 over the last few years. We went last Sunday along another section of it that we hadn't seen before so my endorphins really start kicking in again! When I think about taking a road trip along the entire route from Illinois to California, I really get excited!! Never-the-less, a Big Diet Coke and a trip down any section of Route 66 really gets me "high!" LOL...:)

pamwax said...

I like the hot bath more then anything. Besides that I enjoy being with good friends.

Nancy said...

My best natural high is watching the waves roll in on the beach. It can be enhanced by watching the sun set there.

I also get a natural high when I do something that makes someone else feel good.

Neat post that made me think a little! :)

Amber Star said...

This really is a neat post and I enjoyed reading everyone's "highs".
Sometimes the highs just come out of nowhere and make me feel all great. Sometimes when I'm knitting and almost always when I'm with good friends I get that feeling....and I don't get it from drinking.

Interesting that Kelly was talking about the old Route 66...we were talking about driving it from Amarillo to Las Angeles sometime this year. Hubby wanted to go to Oklahoma City and start there, but I don't know. I do know that being in New Mexico makes me feel high, I think it is very beautiful there. Mesa Verde in Colorado is a very spritual place for me, too.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Judy what an interesting post.
Mine are so similar to yours. A warm bath at night with lavender, a glass of wine,a hug, my grandchildren,laughter, to sit in the sun after gardening, the ocean (which I miss and need a travel companion) a smile from a stranger, music, unexpected good photo that I take and on and on.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Hi Judy very interesting blog and most enjoyable to read. I too get a high feeling from my grandchildren and children, family is most important to me and love every minute I share with them.
Take care.

Yvonne.

Teresa said...

My too most common natural "highs" come when I'm walking in the woods with Hubby or when I successfully finish a crocheted gift for someone.

Rachel said...

Well you named some good ones. Laughing is a big one for me, interacting with animals has always been a joy for me since I'm an animal fan! Just thinking happy thoughts and seeing the glass is half full and not half empty!!

Rachel said...

Another one is this song playing on your blog, "Keep on the Sunny Side of Life!" Love that song!!

Leigh said...

What a great blod entry. Some of my "natural Highs" are a great workout, a hot bubble bath, watching the sun come up over the farm, watching the waves at the beach, hanging out with YOU and of course the natural high I get when I am riding my horses.

Love you mom!!

Leigh

Ann said...

I love a nice deep snow and love to sit on my porch during a rain storm. I love the smell of a fresh cut lawn.
Thanks for sharing.

Clara....in TN said...

I have so many but here are a few. Of course my children and my grandchildren. I can be "way down" and those little buggers can call me and it just changes everything. I love the flowers, sunsets, sunrises, making someone happy, and I love making things with my hands. There is certainly enough out there to keep me forever on a high. LOL

Some Kinda Wonderful said...

Hummmm, listening to music. Working with my beads. The scent of the ocean on the evening breeze. Kneading dough. Baking cookies. The first truly cold night of winter. Hearing my son laugh in the other room...

Rinkly Rimes said...

I have always felt 'high' on nothing. In fact, as soon as I start to drink alcohol I begin to get maudlin.

Anonymous said...

A good long walk

Lilly said...

This is a wonderful an dpositive post. Like your music too. I like being outdoors so the beach, the skies, the forest, the wether changes, walking, music, friends, creating, writing but my family make me the most content and happiest.

Beth said...

Like you, Judy, I get high spending time with my children or even sometimes just thinking about them. Other highs---hiking in my beloved mountains, sitting on my porch watching the clouds drift over the mountains, listening to music I love (especially my son playing his guitar), and listening to the sound of falling snow.

My one un-natural high vice: Coffee :-)

Great post, Judy.

The Muse said...

oh dear Judy...I echo your sentiments...I am so glad we found each other too!

I want to shout it from the rooftops..I really think we may have a chance at giving away our donation to the cancer society a... I am so excited!

Thanks for supporting the 100th post! you are a doll!

Balisha said...

I have so many, but the best one that I can think of is my "to do" list each day. A natural high knowing that I am here to enjoy another day and what it brings.

Kate said...

Hi Judy, you always can bring something different to the blogging world, I've just enjoyed a wee read of your sidebar and I came across my first high of the day, I just love laughing at your picture funnies (espesh the belt height one - sooo funny - 'the old one' reminds me so much of Rob, think he's under the impression that if he pulls the belt sooo tight that his picture of himself in his head makes him look like Tarzan in the old films .... hilarious). I love to be by the sea watching the waves and even just listening to the different noises you can hear when the water is lapping the stones gives me a natural high. My grandchildrens laughter brings that feeling on, and can, somehow give me that sudden ache which can also bring a tear to my eye as well. These days happiness and sudden sadness can come is quick succession. Life is wonderful there are soooo many things which can touch you and make you feel that 'high'. Great post Judy! Cheers Kate x.

Jeannie said...

Two things I get a major high from: working out and seeing the first sunshine after a long, cold winter.

This is a very neat post! :D

Jamie Dawn said...

Time spent with my family is my favorite natural high.
I also get a boost from blogging. It is my favorite downtime activity.
I get a high when I see the things my kids have created such as my son's music or my daughter's photography and movies.