What's It Take To Get You Excited?

 

Step between the borders of Zimbabwe and Zambia and you'll hit Victoria Falls - or hear it, whichever comes first. Named after Queen Vic herself, this is also one of the most-jumped spots in the world, and during the '90s, bungee fever took this area of bellowing water by storm. Jumpers are encouraged to find their own spot on the 1.7km-wide precipice, Plummeting 111m into the deep curtain of water. Go in November, when the Zambezi river rapids are running at their best.  Two of my kids did this right in front of me!  Christina was 17 and Anthony was 15.

"I am scared easily, here is a list of my adrenaline - production: 1: small children, 2: policemen, 3: high places, 4: that my next movie will not be as good as the last one. "
Alfred Hitchcock

"I would have probably stolen cars - it would have given me the same adrenaline rush as racing. "
Valentino Rossi

"When I was onstage doing the work, adrenaline killed the pain because I never hurt in front of an audience. "
Jerry Lewis

"The adrenaline of a live performance is unlike anything in film or theater. I can see why it's so addictive."
Gwyneth Paltrow

"I get called an adrenaline junkie every other minute, and I'm just fine with that. "
Steve Irwin

"It is the greatest shot of adrenaline to be doing what you have wanted to do so badly. You almost feel like you could fly without the plane. "
Charles Lindbergh

You've probably already noticed that this is going to be a little different than most of my posts but I feel compelled to write this in hopes that it might help a few of you. I'm sure you are aware of the saying, "it takes one to know one" and I also bet you've heard that most of the time people who get involved in helping others arrive at that place because they once needed assistance with the same thing. This is me, I am a recovering adrenaline junkie!

 Now, before you get too worried I want to assure you that I AM NOT the type who has ever been interested in hang-gliding off a cliff, skydiving, bungee jumping, or motorcycle racing. (although I do win when I partake in indoor go-kart racing!)   I have however been scuba diving with hammerhead sharks (I'd do it again in a heartbeat!) competed in martial arts, downhill skied so fast I've had the feeling of being almost out of control, spoken in front of thousands (if not millions) of people at once, traveled the world including entering "high-alert" areas of unrest, and... I get bored if I'm not on an airplane traveling somewhere at least once a month.  There's more but you get the picture:  I love to feel invigorated and challenged in various ways and I'm not afraid to take risks.  I love loud music and fun people.  I engage in some kind of rigorous exercise five days a week and my mind continually thinks of ways to get better, stronger, smarter, wiser.   I have to tell myself to relax and take a break.  I guess you could say I am the antithesis of lazy.   I almost always get 8 hours of sleep a night because I go so hard most days that I sleep like a baby once my head hits the pillow. For this I feel very fortunate as I know that there are many people who struggle to sleep. (most because the adrenal gland is out of whack and working overtime!)

Although it might seem funny or cute to call yourself an "adrenaline junkie" here's the catch: if you are caught-up in this highly stimulating cycle you need to find some way to channel your energy in a positive, safe, healthy, productive way so you will not experience adrenaline burnout.  If you don't get your life under control it will eventually cause serious health problems.

 Some reasons for adrenaline burnout might be; growing up in an unhealthy or scary home,  having been a collegiate or professional athlete, working a high-stress job or one that continually has unforgiving deadlines, being in a bad relationship of any kind, having an addiction to caffeine, or having gone through too many stressful situations without taking time to recover from each one, or  being addicted to any mind-altering drug including one prescribed by a physician.  Some situations which might trigger adrenal burnout could include a divorce or break-up, loss of a job, loss of a loved-one, issues with children (grown or not), financial hardship, dealing with a serious health problem for yourself or for a loved-one, a car accident or any other precipitating event that made you feel really scared and created the emotions and physiological response of "fight or flight". Or any combination of the above.  Any and all of these things can accumulate over your lifetime if you don't address them.

 Here's the good news! You can overcome adrenal burnout before it burns you out. Or if you have already gone over the edge you can repair the damage you have done, no matter what your age. By making a few significant (but not always easy) changes in your lifestyle you can be healthier in your body, your mind, and your soul. Adrenaline burnout can wreak havoc on all three as they are all inter-related.

My passion and my mission in life is to help others overcome these types of issues.   In my next blog I will share some simple ways to prevent or overcome adrenal burnout.

"For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord.  They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."   Jeremiah 29:11

The conclusion of this message titled, "Are You An Adrenaline Junkie" coming in a day or so!

If there is any way I can help you for an hour, a week, a month, or a year please contact me Donna@donnaschuller.com

God is blessing you.   Donna