Adrenaline Rush
Hey Steph! I am curious about your thoughts on the effects of so many consecutive adrenaline rushes on new skydivers. I am learning to skydive and am in my second week. I’m doing 1-3 jumps a day, 3 or 4 days a week. I never thought that much about adrenaline before and am realizing how TIRED I am at the end of a 3-jump day. I’ve taken a couple rest days and it’s kind of hard for me to “let” myself take the day off, when I have no injury or obvious reason not to jump- but I’m realizing it’s necessary every few days. What was your experience like? Thanks 🙂
Karen
Hi Karen,
Adrenal fatigue is something that many people ascribe to the stress of the modern lifestyle. When I started skydiving, it was a very accelerated progression, and I noticed that I would get really exhausted without doing any real physical output in a day. When I started base jumping, I noticed that doing a single, non strenuous jump seemed to wipe me out. Just like you, I had the suspicion that it was the result of adrenaline spikes.
When we are confronted with an intense situation, our bodies react physically to the thoughts of fear or aggression we have and our bodies flood with different chemicals. I don’t think we were designed to have these spikes multiple times a day, day after day, and I do think it takes its toll on your system if it keeps happening.
When I was in my first months of jumping, it was enough of an issue for me that I researched adrenal fatigue and I decided to take vitamin C and COQ10. This link offers some more suggestions that I think are good: especially taking B vitamins which is good for anyone.
The good news is that as skydiving becomes more regular for you, and you are past the initial immersion stage, you won’t be having the same type of reaction to your jumps and the problem will solve itself. But taking rest days even when you “haven’t done anything,” is a really good idea. Knowing this is a phase in time, not a permanent state, just take it easy on yourself and listen to your energy levels. I would recommend doing restorative yoga and going for a mellow hike if you’re feeling wiped out, rather than trying to push past it because your muscles aren’t feeling worked. The brain and nervous system are more powerful than your muscles in allowing you to do what you want to do, so you need to listen to them 🙂
Steph
I recently started work as a paramedic. Being a new medic is extremely stressful….you are constantly being tested in new ways. It’s hard to feel like you have a handle on things. The experience is incredibly overwhelming. Trying to climb at my limit on my off days has become really difficult. Some times I have mental shutdown on routes when I start to get pumped and am getting runout. Before when it was easy to push it I now don’t have the will to do so. This article helped me realize that I really do need to rest a little more from work, even though what I’m doing isn’t that physical. Continuous adrenaline surges are so taxing! Thanks for the insight!
Congrats on the new job, and yes, give your adrenals a break sometimes!