Skydiving: The Happiness Drug

Are you one of the many wondering, should I go skydiving? If you need to find compelling reasons to go skydiving, look no further than this article! Skydiving is highly regarded by people participating in the sport as a source of extreme happiness. But what does skydiving feel like and why does skydiving make you happy? 

The Science of Happiness

Happiness might not be something to parse and pick apart until it loses its magic. But to aid in the pursuit of happiness, it can be helpful to understand what causes those feelings of joy and euphoria. There are three major hormones responsible for creating the emotion we identify as happiness:

Adrenaline

Have you ever heard of someone who summoned the energy to lift a car off of a trapped person with superhuman strength? That’s adrenaline! Adrenaline is a powerful hormone that can force a physical change immediately. 

An adrenaline rush is like a dose of empowerment and exhilaration that has lasting effects well after the surge is over! 

Serotonin

Serotonin combats anxiety and creates a sense of calm. Exciting situations give your brain a serotonin surge and this is why many therapists have recommended people experience adrenaline rushes or extreme sports. 

Did you know that Prozac and Zoloft are designed to increase serotonin levels in the brain to help battle depression?

Dopamine

Similar to serotonin, dopamine affects your motivation and energy, which influences learning, sleep, mood, and even how the body processes pain. Too much or too little dopamine plays a large role in an individual’s mental health. A surge in dopamine is directly tied to a happiness high, not dissimilar to a runner’s high (if you’re a runner, you totally get this). 

Good news! All three of these hormones are triggered by jumping out of airplanes. The powerful cocktail of happiness chemicals that are released during a skydive leads to a heightened sense of euphoria, focus, and motivation. 

Mental & Psychological Benefits

Given the incredible effects of skydiving on the brain, knowing how it feels to skydive undoubtedly means knowing happiness. Just a few of the amazing benefits of skydiving include:

• Reduction of stress and anxiety.
• Boost in self-confidence and overcoming fears.
• Improvement in focus and mindfulness.

At this point, you might be wondering: why does skydiving make you happy? Well, the explosion of adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine secreted in the brain makes people feel incredible. It’s as if every function in your body that causes happiness is working on overdrive at the same time. 

So can skydiving help depression? Absolutely! Many veterans who suffer from PTSD have taken up skydiving as a form of therapy. For those with overactive brains, skydiving quiets the brain and forces you to live completely in the moment.

The Addictive Nature of Skydiving

The euphoric high that comes with skydiving has led to comparisons between skydiving and addiction, with terms like “adrenaline junkie” becoming commonplace ways to refer to skydivers. And we can’t say they’re totally wrong.

While we may not always be hopped up on proverbial parachuting drugs, there certainly is an addictive aspect to jumping out of airplanes. Why is skydiving so addictive?

Anything that makes you feel this good (while being completely legal) is addictive. It’s not just about being happy – the added bonus of taking a break from one’s thoughts and being completely in the moment is what makes the skydiving experience so addictive. It’s not unlike any other adrenaline-fueled activity that makes you feel alive. 

There are also real-life examples of jumping out of airplanes for fun which makes it a hobby that’s incredibly difficult to give up. 

Personal Growth & Transformation

One of the great things about skydiving is that the happiness doesn’t stop when your feet touch the ground. Going skydiving will impact your life long after you’ve left the dropzone and have returned to the terrestrial plane. Even making one skydive is enough to set you on a path of extended joy. 

You’ll notice that after you skydive, you’ll go about your daily routine with a newfound confidence. Everything else seems easy as pie after overcoming the fear of leaving an airplane mid-flight. You might even start planning a new adventure you never could have dreamed of before! 

Seeing the world from a different point of view (literally) also brings refreshed motivation to your life approach. You’ll suddenly understand what’s possible in life and want to go for your goals. The sky’s the limit, literally. 

And if you really loved what skydiving did for you, you could even come back and begin the journey of getting your skydiving license! 

Community & Social Connection

If you ask any skydiver what their favorite part about skydiving is, almost everyone will tell you it’s the community. Sure, jumping out of airplanes is mind-bogglingly incredible, but it wouldn’t mean nearly as much without people to share it with. 

The sense of camaraderie among skydivers is one of the strongest bonds out there. Who else in the world is going to be able to fully understand your unique stories of wild times in the sky? Much like any situation where only a fraction of the population shares the experience, the people involved form a connection that goes beyond race, gender, religion, or politics. None of that matters when you share the sky. 

And skydivers take this sentiment seriously. The vibe around the dropzone is like a family gathering, but better, because it’s a family you’ve chosen. 

Are you craving a mood boost in the form of an altitude adjustment? Make a skydive with us and see how it feels to be flying sky high!