Have you ever met someone who seems to beam with energy and enthusiasm, who‘s grin stretches from ear to ear as they tell you about the mundane beauty they noticed on their walk that morning? Someone who delights in the smallest pleasures of existence – like the aroma of a homecooked meal or the purr of a cat – with a sense of awe as if they‘ve uncovered the secrets of the universe? That‘s the essence of someone who‘s high on life.
Being "high on life" refers to an incredibly optimistic mental and emotional state where someone feels a profound sense of happiness, fulfillment, and excitement about the living. It‘s the antithesis of feeling "low" – instead of apathy, melancholy or lethargy, the passion for life burns bright.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll break down the origins, science, and lived experience behind being high on life to help you understand and cultivate this supremely positive headspace.
The Roots and Meaning of Being High on Life
The phrase "high on life" has its origins in the 1960s counter-culture movement which embraced mind-altering substances for recreational use. To be "high on life" was presented as an alternative to getting buzzed on drugs or alcohol; instead of looking for chemical means to change one‘s consciousness, someone high on life derives a natural euphoria from their circumstances and outlook.
While the terminology mirrors the language used to describe drug intoxication, the "high" here refers not to an artificial stimulus but an elevated state induced by fully appreciating our human experience. And "life" encompasses all its complexities – the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, mysteries and banalities that comprise the human condition.
So in essence, being high on life means approaching our experience of existence itself with a sense of awe, gratitude, and joy. It‘s the feeling of being "drunk on existence"- enthralled by the adventure of being alive.
The Science and Psychology Behind This Outlook
The invigorated positivity expressed as being "high on life" stems from tangible changes in brain chemistry and neural activity. Let‘s break down what‘s happening inside the brain and body when someone taps into this state:
1. Dopamine – This chemical messenger stimulates the brain‘s reward and pleasure centers. People who are high on life engage in activities that trigger regular dopamine hits.
2. Endorphins – Released during exercise, laughing, sex, and other enjoyable activities, these neurotransmitters induce euphoric and calming sensations.
3. Serotonin – Known for regulating mood and happiness, higher serotonin levels promote positivity and emotional wellbeing.
4. Oxytocin – This "love hormone" influences social bonding, intimacy, and warmth. It‘s released when we feel connection to others.
5. Brain patterns – Neural activity in the prefrontal cortex (regulating positive emotions) increases while it decreases in areas linked to stress.
6. Savoring – People high on life have an enhanced ability to appreciate pleasurable experiences, magnifying and prolonging their positive impact.
7. Optimism bias – They focus on the bright side and maintain a future-oriented outlook. The world is full of possibilities.
In many ways, the "high on life" phenomenon represents the apex of human flourishing – a convergence of positive emotions, social bonds, engagement, and purpose that science suggests lies at the heart of life satisfaction.
The Lived Experience: Feeling High on Life
The science explains the biological drivers, but what does being high on life actually feel like in the present moment? For many, it‘s a nearly constant state of:
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Euphoria – a sensation of intense happiness and excitement for no particular reason
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Awe – being moved by and finding fascination in ordinary daily experiences
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Flow – total immersion in an activity to the point of losing self-consciousness
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Gratitude – appreciation and thankfulness for the people and pleasures in one‘s life
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Mindfulness – hyperawareness of the present moment in all its details
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Optimism – hopefulness and eagerness for opportunities to come
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Inspiration – feeling stirred to be creative, share joy, and make a difference
Of course, no one walks around in a state of bliss 24/7. But those high on life have cultivated the ability to tap into this uplifted consciousness frequently by caring for their physical and mental wellbeing and orienting their lifestyle around passion.
How to Cultivate a High on Life Mindset
While momentary highs are pleasurable, the ultimate goal is to sustain this positive outlook as an ongoing approach to life. Though it takes commitment, being "high on life" in the long-term is achievable for anyone willing to make lifestyle changes. Here are some best practices:
1. Foster gratitude and awe. Take time each day to notice and reflect on the little joys and privileges in your life to counter the tendency to take them for granted. Watch sunrises, stargaze, and display photos of loved ones.
2. Immerse in flow. Make time for creative pursuits like music, art, writing, or coding that put you in a state of optimal engagement and joy. Even mundane tasks can become more enjoyable if you devote your full attention.
3. Surround yourself with positive influences. Cut back on time with negative or draining people. Nurture friendships that replenish your spirit and join groups or clubs oriented around meaning, growth, and purpose.
4. Take care of your vessel. Make sure your basic needs for quality sleep, nutrition, exercise and restoration are met so you have the physical and mental energy to experience life fully. Discover forms of movement you enjoy.
5. Keep learning and exploring. Pursue interests that captivate your curiosity and expose yourself to new people, places, concepts and experiences to keep your perspective fresh. Maintain beginner‘s mind.
6. Practice mindfulness. When you notice yourself dwelling on the past or future, gently bring your attention back to the present. Observe sensations, emotions and thoughts without judgement.
7. Define your purpose. Identify what provides you with meaning and structure priorities around those passions. Small daily progress towards a purpose creates fulfillment.
8. Release attachments. Don‘t pin your happiness on achieving certain outcomes. Enjoy the process, regardless of results. Accept that loss and change are inevitable parts of life.
9. Fake it till you make it. Even if you‘re not feeling it, make an effort to smile, laugh, dance and access your inner joy. Emotions can be contagious.
With commitment, these practices rewire your brain‘s patterns to promote serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin release more regularly. Though it takes work, you absolutely can create a daily experience characterized by energy, engagement, and lightness of being.
The Joys and Benefits of Being High on Life
Beyond feeling good in the moment, sustaining a lifestyle oriented around passion, purpose, and positivity has been linked to some compelling benefits:
- Increased productivity and creativity
- Greater resilience and ability to manage stress
- More energy and vivacity day-to-day
- Stronger immune function and cardiovascular health
- Greater empathy, compassion, and connection to others
- Overall improved mental health and life satisfaction
- Increased longevity – in one study, people high on life were 20% less likely to die over a 5 year period!
My own life has been enriched immeasurably by adopting a lifestyle that keeps me continually vibrating at the frequency of joy. Here are some habits that help me maintain my "high on life" mindset as a tech professional:
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I make mixing glow stick cocktails and stargazing part of my weekly reset rituals
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I infuse my workspace with artifacts from festivals, concerts, and transform it into a rave cave during long coding sessions
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I surround myself with colorful Chaos Cult brand swag covered in uplifting themes and mantras
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I sneak mindfulness practices like breathwork and meditation into my work routine
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I leverage tech like uplifting Spotify playlists, alert apps with inspiring quotes, and focus apps that gamify deep work
While I still have off days, these practices ensure my baseline experience trends toward the positive.
Addressing the Skeptics
For some temperaments, the notion of being blithely "high on life" may seem Pollyannaish or deny the inevitable hardships of the human condition. It‘s important to acknowledge:
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Being high on life does not mean ignoring suffering or never experiencing sadness, grief or frustration. Those emotions are healthy reactions when life calls for them.
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This mindset isn‘t about toxic positivity or forcing yourself to feel happy at all times. It‘s about fully embracing the reality of each moment – dark, light or in between.
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Challenges and pain are inevitable. But we do have a remarkable capacity to adapt our perspective and therefore, transform our experience. This "high" mindset uses that human capability for empowerment.
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Research suggests both positive and negative emotions serve an evolutionary purpose. But studies consistently show prioritizing positive mental states yields greater health, happiness and success.
So being high on life isn‘t blind optimism, but rather wringing all the joy we can out of this crazy adventure called life – even in the face of hardship – through conscious choice.
Conclusion: An Ode to Ordinary Awe
I‘ll end this guide where we began – with a story of wonder in the mundane. Just this morning, I took a stroll through my neighborhood, the same route I walk daily. But today, it was as if I had slipped on a special pair of glasses, granting me temporary HD vision.
I noticed dewdrops glistening like diamonds on crimson roses in a neighbor‘s lawn. I paused as two squirrels raced up a tree, finding joy in their playful chittering. The smell of waffles and coffee wafting from a cafe enveloped me like a hug. It struck me these delightful details were there all along – I had simply failed to appreciate them.
Cultivating the ability to find novelty, beauty, and meaning in the world around you – even when it appears unchanged – is a portal to being high on life. Let this be your invitation to slip on those magic glasses and fall in love with life all over again.
