Get High! (Without Drugs...)

(Article for Pugwash Mag - Euphoria Issue) 


Who said you can get high without taking drugs or drinking alcohol? Here are the Top 5 ways to reach that ultimate level of euphoria...

5. Eating high energy foods.

Having a healthy and balanced diet can be a good way to feel a sense of greatness within yourself. It doesn’t require too much effort, plus, it can be fun. Rather than microwaving all your meals, or sticking a pizza in the oven, cook a meal from scratch. The British Dietetic Association says that Breakfast is the ideal opportunity to get some energy for the day, so don’t skip it.


4. Get creative.

Starting a creative project, and succeeding in whatever you’ve aimed for, can give you a nice high. Maybe you could take up Art again, since you haven’t had a go at it since high school. Or start a photography project. Seeing something you’ve achieved that you’ve set yourself that’s also pretty to look at is a great feeling.


3. Dancing and exercise.

Have you tried Zumba? Or Jazz-ercise? They can give you quite the adrenaline boost. You can go to a class with your friends, or if you’re the insecure type, buy a DVD and do it at home.
Exercise is, and always has been, another good way to gain a high. Go out jogging by Southsea Common, or join the gym. You’ll feel a sense of self-accomplishment that drugs and alcohol can’t give you.

2. See your favourite band live.

Don’t you find it annoying when a friend has seen a band live, that you know you like a lot more than they do? Go and see that band. The feeling that crawls over you, while your favourite musician is blending some sweet tunes with their instruments, is a textbook definition of euphoria.

1. Extreme sports.

The ultimate adrenaline rush for some, extreme sports are by far the best way to feel euphoric. Most sports include being in a part of the world you’d never see without trying them. Skydiving, for example, whilst pumping adrenaline through you, gives you some great views. There’s nice scenery in mountain biking, or kayaking. Find one that you think you’d enjoy, and absorb the experience completely. That’s euphoria.

Chill Out, Man.

It’s the last thing you want to hear when you’re angry. Ever had an argument in public? Your relatively calm friend places a condescending hand on your shoulder, becomes the hero of the scene, and says it. ‘Chill out, man.’ And now all you can think about is that you’re being watched by everyone. You’ve made a scene. What are you going to do? You should probably chill out, man.

There’s no straight answer as to where the phrase ‘Chill out, man’ comes from. If you search it in urbandictionary.com, it’ll tell you to ‘shut up, relax, calm down’, which is brutal, yet honest, and most appropriate for people of our age.
The Cambridge Dictionary says it is ‘to relax completely, or not allow things to upset you’, whereas the Oxford Dictionary says ‘intended to induce or enhance a relaxed mood’, referring to slow, rhythmic music. As far as we can tell, there is no definite meaning to the phrase.

Although ‘Chill out, man’ is used to warn people who may be angry, frustrated, or unhappy, the phrase also has a positive meaning . ‘Chilling out’, in this context, never involves leaving the house, spending money, or putting much effort into something. You can wear those ugly, but always really comfortable tracksuit bottoms, and if you’re female, make-up is out of the question. Chilling out will normally include a mediocre activity such as watching an old film with a couple of drinks, or playing on your games console. You’re there to chill out, man.

'I toad you a little chilling would be good for you.'

Specifically for us at University, ‘Chill out, man’ normally involves panic. Panic that you’re going to be late on handing in that really important piece of work, or panic that you won’t get a good grade for it. You’re walking to the library with a friend, and start listing all the things you need to write, complaining about money, moaning that jobs are impossible, and the rest. Your friend will tell you to ‘Chill out, man’, and you probably should. Relax, and instead of panicking, sort your life out, and tick those things off one by one.

'I'll do it tomorrow.'

It’s a good piece of advice though. Have you ever been told to chill out, and disobeyed the request? It never ends well. It’s a diffusive term, one that can stop that emotional friend of yours throwing the contents of his room around the house, or your competitive friend from throwing an Xbox controller at the television. Are you feeling hot under the collar? Then maybe you should chill out, man.

"Love"

Diamonds are for those who are greedy.

Just one could feed the needy,

instead, a false symbol of love,

from a man who’s seedy,

or a woman who’s eyes are beady.

She wants a dress and he’ll digress

but she’ll press him for more on

her day of success. He’ll confess

he’s not that bothered, yet to no end,

he’ll impress her family and friends.

He’s told her a million times

yet the sound of wedding bells

chimes, and the singing of religious

rhymes makes her want even more

to be in her prime.

So they’ll party through the night

to his new bride’s delight,

and on paper it tells her

that she is exclusively his

so off on a glorious honeymoon they whizz.

And now it’s his turn to demand,

so he waves his hand like a wand.

Off comes the garter, seductively

he courts her, and she gets in the bed.

And afterwards, he’ll kiss her head.

They follow life’s calling

their sexy fun brawling, ends up in

crawling small legs around the

house. Something so small, like a

mouse, makes noise with all its toys.

Then they grow tired, and old,

he thinks his moves were way too bold,

she’s wired on caffeine to care for the child.

The coal is no longer fired, and he regrets to

find out he’s here ‘til retired.