An Ultimate Guide for an Adventure Junkie
Many people aren’t simply content with living a comfortable relaxing lifestyle. Some of us need to consistently feel our heart pound loudly in our chest to feel like we are truly alive and this may lead to becoming what is known as an adrenaline junkie. While there may not be a cure for your desire of heart-pumping adventure, there are thankfully countless activities that can act as fixes to keep you satisfied.
Adrenaline junkies, thrill seekers, adventurists, call them what you wish, but what they all have in common is their strong desire to be daring and feel the rush of adrenaline. If you find yourself being drawn into the world of adrenaline yourself, congratulations, as you have a long road of adventure and excitement ahead of you if you choose such a path. That being said, there are many things to consider before becoming a full blown adrenaline junkie, that’s why we’ve created an adrenaline junkie guide that will open your eyes to the many adventurous activities out there and how to stay safe and well prepared for them.
Essential Gear for Adrenaline Junkies
Sadly, having a strong sense of adventure isn’t enough to become an adventure junkie, or at least not one that will survive very long. While it may seem as though seasoned adrenaline junkies lack fear of death, the reality is that they almost always go into their chosen adventure sport or activity being well prepared and equipped with quality gear.
Whether you’re simply into rugged multi-day treks or skydiving out of a plane, you want to make sure you are equipped with all the essential gear. It is never a wise decision to cut corners when it comes to adventurous activities, as failing to get the proper equipment that has been proven to be safe and effective could land you in the hospital or six feet under the ground real quick.
You need to fully research whatever adventure sport or activity you plan to get into and find out what equipment is the latest and most effective by checking adventure gear experts like geardisciple.com to read all the specs, pros, and cons of the various products currently on the market for various adventure sports and activities.
When it comes to adrenaline sports, there is no place for DIY equipment. You want gear that has been designed by professionals and undergone all kinds of tests to ensure it is both effective and safe. Having inferior hiking shoes could lead to injury and even death if you happen to lose your footing, and using poorly made products like carabiners or ropes for rock climbing and abseiling could prove to be a fatal mistake. Purchasing cheaply designed and constructed gear will almost always lead to accidents and injuries eventually.
Adrenaline Junkie Activities
The best part about becoming an adrenaline junkie is that there are so many different types out there. This means that more often than not, no matter what your interests are, you can bet there is a sport or activity out there that will get your personal adrenaline pumping.
Many adrenaline pumping activities involve either falling through the air or being suspended in it. One of the most famous activities that even non-adrenaline junkies often muster up the courage to experience at some point in their life is skydiving. Skydiving has become such an accessible adventure activity that is offered in countless destinations all around the world, where you can choose the view that lies below your dangling feet whether it be mountains or a breathtaking coastline.
You then have abseiling off cliff faces and skyscrapers, bungee jumping, and base jumping. But you don’t need to be at risk of falling to your death to get the blood and excitement flowing. Water provides a number of adventurous activities including surfing as well as cage diving with sharks and even giant crocodiles in places like Darwin, Australia. Even swimming can be adventurous in places like the Devil’s Pool of Zambia’s Victoria Falls which will have you floating just a few feet from the edge of the roughly 100-metre-tall falls.
Best Destinations for Adrenaline Junkies
Countries worldwide are well aware that there are many adventure travelers out there and you can now find adrenaline pumping activities nearly anywhere. However, there are a few notable destinations which stand out from the crowd when it comes to offering epic heart-pounding adventures.
At the top of the list is New Zealand, birthplace of bungee jumping. New Zealand is home to the city of Queenstown which many refer to as the “adventure capital of the world”, offering up whitewater rafting, canyon swinging, jet boating, skydiving, and bungee jumping off Kawarau Bridge which was the world’s first commercial bungee jumping site.
There’s plenty of adventure in Africa as well, especially in places like Cape Town, South Africa. Here, you can cage dive with enormous great white sharks, abseil the famous Table Mountain, and surf Hout Bay.
Head over to the Southwestern United States where you’ll discover some of the best rock climbing and bouldering in places like Utah. There are also plenty of epic multi-day backcountry hikes and whitewater rafting down the mighty Colorado River.
Every continent has a mountain peak worth climbing, none more epic than Everest in the Himalayas. You can attempt the summit if you have the nerve and the money, or simply settle for trekking to Everest Base Camp or sky diving over the Himalayas and Mt. Everest.
Over in Central America, Costa Rica offers up some incredible ziplining, surfing, canyoneering, waterfall rappelling, and whitewater rafting, while down in South America’s Patagonia region you can enjoy some epic hiking that includes treks through the mountains and upon glaciers.
Recovery after Adrenalin Pumping Activities
While adrenaline pumping activities can be thrilling, they can take their toll on your body. While our adventurous spirits may never diminish, our bodies aren’t equipped to handle all that excess adrenaline without a break every now and then.
Engaging in adventurous sports and activities forces us to heighten our senses so we can be ready for anything and often allows little wiggle room for error. This of course requires a lot of energy. Our body releases adrenaline when we become excited or fearful and it gives us the much needed energy we need to be able to react to things so we don’t get ourselves hurt or killed. While adrenaline is helpful in small doses, we do need to purge our bodies of it every once in awhile.
If you find yourself becoming physically or mentally exhausted, it’s probably time to give your adventurous habits a bit of a break. Not having a sharp mind or a body that’s in top shape can lead to serious mistakes or accidents occurring when it comes to adventurous activities. You need to give your muscles time to recover and get your various hormones and various chemicals like lactic acid back to normal healthy levels after intense or stressful activities. Your muscles often require around 24-48 hours of rest in order to repair themselves and grow. Not allowing your muscles enough time to recover can lead to breakdown of tissues and do considerable harm over time.
In order to recover after various adventure activities, you should replace lost fluids and electrolytes, fuel your body with proper nutrition, stretch out your muscles, try water therapy that may include hot showers and cold baths, and get quality sleep. You may also want to look into taking vitamins, minerals, and other supplements, especially if you notice any deficiencies.
Health, Safety, and the Law
No matter what the activity, you always want to make the safety of yourself and others the top priority. Getting into shape, purchasing quality equipment, doing your research, and training will all go a long way to minimizing injury and death. That being said, accidents still do happen and it is good to be prepared for them. Always travel with a first aid kit in case the unfortunate does happen and you need to care for yourself or others.
Adrenaline junkies understand the importance of having good health insurance, especially if you live in a country that does not provide universal health care. When travelling, always make sure to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that provides unlimited overseas medical treatment and make sure your policy covers you for the various adventure sports and activities you plan on experiencing.
Because many adventure sports and activities take place in remote areas, make sure to carry an emergency locator beacon or at least a mobile phone to call for help if an emergency does occur. Always wear proper clothing, understanding that weather can quickly change, carry enough food and water, and have maps or a GPS to avoid getting lost.
You also want to make sure all your adventure activities are legal. There are countless YouTube videos out there glamorizing and promoting activities like jumping of bridges or climbing buildings and construction sites. Never trespass and always adhere to local laws. No adrenaline activity is worth heavy fines or jail time. Although trying to avoid getting arrested or in some cases actually getting arrested can be a source of excitement and adrenaline for some, the consequences are never worth it in the long run and they could have a huge impact on your future in many ways.
Staying within the law is extremely important when travelling internationally, as the consequences for your illegal actions abroad could be far more severe than they are in your home country. Breaking the law when it comes to adventurous activities can also endanger the lives of others and potentially puts a burdensome strain on local emergency and health services should you require rescue or treatment after suffering an accident.
Becoming an adrenaline junkie can lead to a wonderful way of life. There’s no greater feeling than feeling alive. We hope this guide will help you to feel alive and actually stay alive no matter what adrenaline pumping activities you choose to experience.
