Why the Occasional Adrenaline Rush Is Good for You

Humans are hardwired with a fight-or-flight response. When you’re in a high-pressure situation, your brain sends an SOS to the adrenal glands, which triggers an adrenaline rush. This surge of energy increases your heart rate and improves your concentration to prime your body for action. But at the same time, it makes you anxious, your hands sweaty, and your senses go into overdrive. Despite all these side effects, adrenaline is your friend – you just need to know how to use it to your advantage.  

An adrenaline rush can save your life if, say, a pit bull is chasing you. But that’s not the only perk. It can be a tool to help you succeed at work, personal life, and beyond.

Adrenaline is your brain’s way of saying, “Let’s get down to business!” It helps you reach that sweet spot of mental acuity, allowing you to process information faster and react more decisively. You’re not worried about what people think or whether you’d regret doing something. All that matters is the here and the now.

Whenever your body thinks you’re in danger, adrenaline ramps up blood flow to your muscles, delivering a hefty dose of oxygen and nutrients. What happens next is you get a significant boost in strength, speed, and endurance. You may also find that your pain tolerance has doubled. Suddenly, your sprinting pace hits new records and the sofa in your living room feels lighter now. That’s adrenaline doing some heavy lifting, too.

The more you expand your comfort zone, the better you perform under pressure. You’re essentially training your brain to think that, yes, you can handle every curveball life throws at you. Moreover, pushing your limit is a good thing for your confidence. After scaling a cliff or completing a triathlon, you approach other challenges with the same can-do attitude. Asking your crush on a date? No sweat. A job interview? Bring it on.

Frequent adrenaline spikes can have some serious side effects on your health. You may feel constantly on edge, which can keep you awake at night. It’s a vicious cycle because insomnia triggers the body to release even more adrenaline so you can function during the day. Before long, your immune system gets trashed, exposing you to various illnesses.

The physical and emotional stress can also increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Doctors have also linked excessive levels of adrenaline to a rare condition called the broken heart syndrome, in which the heart gets so overstimulated that it stops pumping blood.

Athletes and thrill seekers thrive in nerve-racking environments because they’re able to harness the effects of adrenaline – and you can learn how to do it, too.

First, it’s all about preparation. Plan everything that will help reduce your worries, then follow through. Maybe you need to practice your speech more or take swimming lessons before your first surfing experience. If you can show yourself that you’re all geared up, you’ll calm down.

Next, turn those familiar jitters into motivation. Instead of dreading the uncertainty, think of it as a sign from your system that you’re about to do something new and exciting. It’s also helpful to remember that fear is there for a reason – it helps you to stay alert and laser-focused. You don’t have to erase it completely.

Lastly, balance your adrenaline spike with a hit of dopamine. Cold showers have been proven to increase this feel-good hormone by 250 percent, according to a study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology. Use Lifebuoy Antibacterial Body Wash with Multivitamins+ Total 10 or Lifebuoy Antibacterial Soap with Multivitamins+ Total 10 to cleanse and invigorate your skin after an adrenaline-fueled activity. Both are formulated with vitamins B3, C, and E to further shield the skin against germs.

You can also try Dove Men+Care Extra Fresh Body Wash, which doubles as a face cleanser. The Micromoisture technology helps lock in hydration all the while washing bacteria away.

An adrenaline rush may cause you to be nervous and jittery, but it can also make you physically stronger and mentally sharper when managed properly. Of course, be sure to take great care of your body and mind in the process. In other words: Embrace the rush and go kick ass.