Chasing The Natural High: An Experiment

[@JoeDelaneyy]

Yo people! Hope you enjoy this video. It's one I have wanted to make for a while, and one I don't think is really gonna break any records for views etc, but if you people who do watch it actually find it engaging then I will consider it well worth while. Also actually interested to hear your thoughts in response to that question I asked at the end. x

[@rshird1]

Less booze, more sleep and more nature for sure. Also appreciate the peep show meme used in this video. Ty mate x

[@tomarse84]

Even though my previous comment didn't reflect this (get 1k likes), I really liked your video and I think it is always interesting to get to listen to thoughts of others, be it KZbinrs or people you meet in person.

[@woooooooo9061]

@@rshird1 it's a tough one, booze can be your best friend or worst enemy.

[@geemail369]

Very interesting series on a _fascinating_ subject! Definately gonna watch! My 3 things would be: - less screen time, - more time spent in nature, - more frequent self reflection/"mind work". >> tbh, i've already started this a few months back and do see the difference.

[@MAXdori]

What’s the long sleeve shirt you’re wearing at 2:50? Outstanding video, can’t wait for the deep dives into each category. My three: - Mitigate work stress - Weekly walks/hikes/bike rides with family - Re-engage with weightlifting after 3 years absence… much shame

[@saulsarry]

As a reflection on my 27 years of life, there is one distinct period of my life where I woke up feeling an overwhelming sense of optimism everyday (my most significant natural high). By way of background, during said period I was getting little sleep (4-6h a night), no exercise, a roulette diet and spent weeks without being able to trust a fart. At the time I was 21 and working in Wuhan as an English teacher. I had a roommate and lived in a hotel with 6 colleagues. Personal time and space was at an absolute minimum, but I was the most socially active I'd ever been and felt incredibly close to those around me. Whilst it was difficult to navigate through my surroundings, people's attitude towards me was very open and complementary. Not knowing what to expect and choosing to embrace everything I faced meant every day was off the rails in some bizarre way. Returning from chaos where I felt like a lynchpin to Manchester was a shock to the system, suddenly being on my own and unimportant. If anything it taught me to be self-reliant and follow my own path. I doubt I'll ever recreate this setting. At the time I knew it was special. Constant unknown, learning, friends and interactions felt like the recipe for excitement, optimism and motivation. Thanks for reading.

[@ThomasAlexNorman]

Less scrolling social media (delete KZbin app on phone) Meditation 10 min per day Collaborative work - involve other people on almost every video project rather than going solo

[@deepfuchsia7204]

if I remove the youtube app I wouldn't see this.. oh, wait. okay

[@juppertan]

@@deepfuchsia7204 I think the OP was specifically referring to YT on mobile devices. I guess it would be much healthier to confine social media consumption to laptop screen time.

[@JoeDelaneyy]

Have watched your stuff for ages mate - good to see you here.

[@ThomasAlexNorman]

@@JoeDelaneyy woah crazy! big fan over here :)

[@eitanengel8259]

A few months ago I thought: “ok I wanna be better so I’ll delete KZbin on my phone.” Two days later and i am on it again from the web browser on my phone. and still am. Man this is hard because you do a lot of stuff but nothing sparks as much dopamine as KZbin

[@danalan]

This is such a sick idea for a series. Really excited for this

[@DJcs187]

This!

[@nikostoss1199]

I have never ever in my life seen so much growth in an individual. The difference 5 years have made on this man are simply astonishing! JoeyD is the GOAT

[@kalebkuhn4226]

Mate, this is the best KZbin concept I’ve ever seen. Just striving for the natural high and generally being happy is a focus everyone should strive for, and you present the journey in such a good way. Seeing you grow so much, really motivates and inspire us. So thanks for that. I’m really looking forward for this series! 3 changes I could make to reach the natural high: 1. Sleep more 2. Get better at time management 3. Prioritise time for creativity and hobbies i love doing

[@nelsonhoffman5922]

Joe. Been a follower since 2015 in the Delbros days. You're the only youtube who NEVER sacrifices content in favor of production value. In fact, you're the only one that his consistently improved in BOTH quality AND production value. If you look at others, they typically sacrifice one for the other and as the years go by give less quality and more production value. Thank you for always being real. The realest human bean. We love you. You're our hero.

[@jaydenminthorn7322]

Cringe 😬

[@nelsonhoffman5922]

@@jaydenminthorn7322 it is cringe but it's the truth.

[@travisstewart3879]

It's not cringe to speak your mind bro.

[@lynic-0091]

How is this even cringe? Are you 12?

[@fifski]

Obviously you haven't been on YT long enough and haven't seen other channels. There is plenty of high quality fitness channels out there that have been consistent throughout the years. Don't worry, we've all have been in out own little bubble at some point in our lives.

[@yannis08]

Music is massive for me. Bought a set of decks recently and focusing on mixes etc has improved my mental health a bit, in the same way that learning a new instrument would.

[@Vesividad86]

We must build a world where all of us live like this everyday.

[@scottvee2988]

Top 3 interventions in the pursuit of the natural high for me: 1.) Reducing alcohol / drug intake. This always messes up my sleep schedule and causes me to get poor sleep, which causes anxiety the following day from the lack of sleep and alcohol/drug come down. 2.) Improving sleep quality and quantity. This is directly affected by alcohol and drug intake, but also can be improved upon once the alcohol /drug part is taken care of. My peak performance is when I have between 8-9 hours of sleep. 3.) Focusing on the right things in life. For example, not doom scrolling on twitter or news outlets all day, not watching endless KZbin videos all day, not watching porn and doing things that drive me forward towards my goals such as working on a business or going to the gym or socializing and meeting new people or traveling. Diet has always come easy to me, but those three are the big ones for me to feel that peak natural high.

[@alexw9923]

Diet is #4 You are what you eat.

[@mattpassos5689]

How's that business going

[@CARLOMYBRU]

Man these kind of thought-provoking, self-enriching videos is why I subscribe to your channel. I'm really looking forward to this series.

[@paulmason8478]

I love his different philosophy's on life

[@rampageashton]

This has peaked my interest. I’m in. 1. Alcohol reduction / removal 2. Walking in nature. 2 birds and all that. 3. More quality time with my kids. Always makes me feel better.

[@therunning-farang3656]

Likewise!

[@Mattrunning]

The natural high: watching Joe D on a thursday

[@JoeDelaneyy]

Peak human experience right there.

[@__sofiane__]

And smashing that like button

[@EliNeuaone]

This got me rolling 🤣

[@joedefraties3304]

It is me Joe D

[@saha19]

holy shit I am watching this on a Thursday and just read this comment! :O

[@JohnnyS31416]

1 - 30+ minutes daily meditation focusing on how your body feels and enhance the good feels dotted around it. (Until you’ve done it, it’s hard to comprehend the subtle increase in general well-being) 2 - spend more time outside in light, especially in the mornings to help the circadian rhythm, as it helps with many process in the body and brain. 3 - diet, well balanced with a focus on good quality foods, fermented foods, and many fruit and veg

[@vigilantslacker6039]

Somebody’s been listening to huberman

[@cake8211]

Running regularly for 30 min to 1 hour would be a vital addition. Never felt better.

[@trappart9209]

And adequate amount of good quality sleep (7,5-9 hours and go to bed before 12 and wake up at the same time and go to bed at the same time)

[@brianjc720]

What do you focus on in meditation?

[@varunok4176]

Wow I'm half way through and... I love that you've captured the essence of what so many of us look for in our fitness journey, and I love that you've decided to delve into it. If Mad Max references aren't outdated yet... I am here to witness you

[@LOONYDUDES]

I also had to pause halfway through, no way I couldn't read the discussion.. Such a well put video

[@DavidMillerVideos]

For me, the things that make the biggest difference to my state are sleep, diet, exercise, working on my life purpose, meditation, breathwork, cold exposure, and reiki.

[@haroholic]

1: Switch some consumption for creative work 2: Switch solo-sport for low-key team sport 3: Elevate gaze when walking for more awe-inspiration

[@darkrinji]

'Elevate gaze' great advice, beats looking at ass.

[@lvlv7876]

@@darkrinji well ass is pretty good too

[@zzentoro]

examples of low key teamwork?

[@haroholic]

@@zzentoro Everything that allows you to move a ball into some sort of recepticle with the help of your mates, low-key to increase the amount of banter/shittalking/general good time feels and decrease the chance of crippling yourself by getting caught up in pointless ambition

[@haroholic]

@@darkrinji 😂 whatever inspires more awe should be in focus, ass > the heavens > gravel

[@prophet849]

1. I had a life period when I felt litery high almost all the time. Sometimes I would just start to laugh for no reason just for the pure beauty of living. The secret is gratitude journal. 20-30 things to be grateful for written every morning and of course you need to feel true gratitude to single one of them, it's not just about writing stuff. And you should eventually practice gratitude during the day. I believe happiness is a skill not an asset. 2. As a Christian I often think of the idea of unconditional love towards others, seem kinda extreme. But I started to say "I love you" to every person I meet on the street, just in my mind of course. I look at their face and try to imagine that they are someone I truly love, my sister, brother, mother, father, best friend. Some faces induce thoughts of a bad person. I think: This fat guy should exercise more like I do. This lady looks so grumpy, she should be grateful like I am." etc. I try to kill my arrogance and ego and imagine what would I say to my fat brother or grumpy sister or hobo best friend. I would say I love you, no conditions, no arrogance. And you can imagine saying that to everyone. Very soul refreshing. 3. Many high achieving people have daily routine of self love, many are done in front of a mirror. This one is weird - Stand in front of a mirror a look yourself in the eyes and say "I love you" for two minutes straight every day. And mean it! You are not perfect, sometimes you are an ass, but you can still love yourself. Preposition - happiness is a skill 1. Learn to love your life 2. Learn to love your neighbor 3. Learn to love yourself

[@robertjoycetraining3126]

Gotta say man you killed it with this comment

[@lucillemiller2198]

well said

[@ΔεσποιναΖαχαρακη-ψ1φ]

@@robertjoycetraining3126 can't agree more!!

[@benilak]

the Prophet has spoken

[@Gspook19]

former christian here, i gotta say you took the best part of christianity and took it to heart, i love this idea

[@dakotapoddig2222]

1) less screen time 2) lowering my reliance on caffeine (already working on and I feel a lot better already) 3) kind of stupid to say but due to my anxiety, I sometimes have fixated on things/thoughts that I cannot control. So just letting go of those things and focusing more on what I can control. Really hyped to see how these videos turn out.

[@kylethebos]

Good list

[@dereks8984]

I'm doing less screen time before bed. Already managed to reduce tea/coffee. Then found that with confidence and benefits of those, makes me less anxious /stressed throughout the day. Good luck with your list.

[@bikerpaul68]

Reducing caffeine has worked very well for me too. Feeling less stressed and sleeping better.

[@thestranger3833]

1. Mastery (self betterment - broadly put, growth: creative [music, art...] body, mind etc) 2. Mental well being (sleep, stress, resolving conflict in relation to self and others, mortality, sex) 3. Physical well being (excersise, mobility, diet, sex) [Cheeky 4th point] 4. Curiosity (play, exploration, adventure - discovering new experiences, places, things, tastes, thought, hobbies) In many ways the first three points simply enable me to maximise the 4th point. It, perhaps, is the most important to me. Love this video mate, I'll follow your journey with great interest.

[@Karim-yt4cf]

more of this por favor. KZbin is saturated with "what I eat in a day", "what my dads dogs son eats in a day" no one cares for that anymore. we want those mental strength gains :). in order to physically improve you have to develop your mental state in a way that can sustain a lifetime of consistency and progression. videos like these allow me to grow mentally and imo have a direct correlation with health and fitness. so yes more of this pls. all the best joey boy

[@JoeDelaneyy]

Video going up on Tuesday is literally a what I eat in a day haha... bread and butter. I won't be offended if you skip, and I appreciate your comment (and agree with the sentiment despite my hypocrisy.

[@Giannantonio83]

@@JoeDelaneyy will u enjoy living a life by planning all this shit to feel better, its like robotic. Maybe planning too much wil burn u out idk just my 2 cents

[@nellyb666]

I am a 61 year old who came across this video and channel by chance - happily right as I am trying to make sense of where I am at in life and how to fix a number of things I am not happy about. Apart from subscribing I have used the diagram you drew to keep a daily record of the “scores” for each enable and inhibitor you call out. Scoring is easy - it’s influencing the scores that is the challenge. It really is a rare thing these days to watch a video without being told what to do or eat or how to be. Simply being engaged with fascinating opportunities is so relevant to anyone of any age - I’m hooked. I might never reach that absolutely best ever good feeling but I already feel better and thats a win in my book. Really great idea - a lot of wisdom on young shoulders.

[@dans5529]

I love this concept. I'll certainly be watching every video you upload on the topic. Lately I've been trying to simplify my life both externally and internally, and I've noticed a huge improvement in how I feel overall. I'm naturally a very driven and analytical person and I've always held high standards and created lofty goals for myself. I'm trying to let go of all that and I'm trying instead to just be content with existing. That might sound a bit bleak at first, but the less you require for your contentment; the easier it is to be content. It's somewhat cliche to say now, but I've been meditating consistently every morning for just over a year now. One of the many things I've learned through it is just how peaceful and blissful my mind can be when it's not being weighed down with the usual shit I tend to weigh it down with. I used to garner much of my meaning and purpose by chasing external things such as career success, creative success with art and music, praise or acceptance from other people and material possessions. All that stuff requires so much mental energy to plan and maintain and I've realised that the constant rumination is detracting from my life and wellbeing way more than it's adding to it. Obviously I can't completely disregard those externalities, but my focus and purpose has shifted away from those things and more towards a simpler existence where I desire less and find more contentment in just being. It's had a profound effect on my mental state and my quality of life overall. Obviously, I'm not discounting the more obvious and fundamental necessities when it comes to health and wellbeing too. As you mention in the video: sleep, diet, physical activity, sunlight and healthy relationships, among other things, are all vital factors in creating and maintaining a healthy and happy life. I've also been experimenting with adding breathwork to my daily routine over the last few weeks; namely the Wim Hof method. It's early days, but I'm enjoying it so far and it seems to be having a beneficial effect on my mental state and energy levels. Could be something else for you to look into, if you haven't already done so. All the best on your journey mate. I love your unique and bullshit-free way of approaching these kinds of topics and I'm already looking forward to the next video!

[@fee1687]

Answer to question at end: 1. Having no expectations / no such thing as perfect 2. Not taking everything in life seriously (what u take seriously you empower) 3. Getting out of the house Extra - Recognising beliefs based off of fear and change them through action - Diet - tech consumption - brain exercises - treat the exercises like a supplement. Ones that don’t work might mean that part of the brain is functioning well, but another exercise, engaging a different part of the brain (that’s not performing up to standard) this helped my quality of life drastically. Eye exercises help the brain - my eyes aren’t functioning properly and I mistook it for anxiety, but it was my body in stress due to having to overwork itself to function. - See a Functional Neurologist! life changing for me. - watch Joe Delaney Great vid btw. Your videos like this are real and engaging. You discuss topics that are relatable, on a deep level. 🇦🇺

[@esmee6308]

What a down to earth bloke, real, vulnerable, a bea... wait a second.

[@gillroygarlic3616]

Yeah, when he said he didn’t want this video to inspire a cult like status. I knew this was a humble dude.

[@HeisenHeimer]

Top 3 changes: 1. Pursue the state of hyper focus every day. 2. Quit unnecessary scrolling on social media such as youtube and instagram. 3. Stop wasting time on thinking what a good man should be and start being one.

[@sammiller4862]

Hey Joe. You’re literally my favorite fitness KZbinr, man. I’m gonna start the challenge with you. Here are my three things: 1. Diet 2. Therapy 3. Hygiene As a teenager, 1 & 3 are just gonna help me in the long run… becoming the one teen in the gym who doesn’t smell like a dead horse, or not having a diet that consists of eating the aforementioned dead horse: probably gonna be good habits. I know therapy’s kind of a personal thing, and it’s not something I expect you to document in whatever journey you’re starting now, but I’d recommend it. There’s so many different types and styles, from cognitive “sit on the couch tell me about your problems” therapy to trauma “click this button when you feel uncomfortable” therapy. If guy who’s as admired as you starts taking therapy as a part of this, even though you’ve got a sick lifestyle and personality, it might inspire people who actually do have problems (that need therapy) to go and seek help. And y’know to get to the point where you seem to be at now mentally, you probably had to crawl through some shit that could personally benefit from therapy. (I mean you’ll benefit from the therapy, not the shit.)

[@studiothree]

1. Lower my alcohol intake to no more than once a month. I can't stand not feeling fresh any more and it takes me a few days to get back to normal, sometimes a week or more. I don't have a problem with alcohol by any means, but i'm also 31 and i'm just over it (also the calories). 2. Get to the country side more often. I live in Scotland and on the edge of the city but i would love to move permanently further up north to the highlands. It's definitely a goal of mine. 3. Stick to certain hobbies more. I do things like learn spanish/russian but don't put a massive effort in to it. I've also played guitar for years but have stagnated with it recently during the pandemic for no real reason. that's probably the 3 things that bother me most than came to mind during your video. Cheers Joe!

[@igster8293]

I'm a little late to the party, but I've just "finished" making my changes. I went through a hard decade of learning and the past few years have been especially excruciating. I didn't want to be on anxiety medication anymore, so I started my way out by going to a holistic doctor. Best decision of my life as she was the only one that would listen and diagnose instead of just diagnose by what I thought I had. She did a TON of bloodwork to find out my deficiencies. I was lacking Vitamin B12, D, Magnesium, and Omega-3's. I was severely deficient in all of those. She also found out I was born with something missing (I can't think of what exactly it is) that contributes to anxiety and depression, which B12 and Magnesium both help with. She also found out that I was low in testosterone, so I started TRT. All of those have made a HUGE difference in my sleep and pretty much fixed my heart palpitations. It turns out the lack of B12 and Magnesium contribute to that. I also had SVT which I was born with. Finally found out in 2017 and had an ablation. I started meditating over a year and a half ago. Now I meditate for at least 45 minutes a night and I incorporate breathwork with my meditation. (Wim Hoff or slow stomach breathing - in for 3 to 5 seconds, out 10 or more seconds) My nightly routine (if all goes well): Eat dinner by 6:30 at the latest, shower, meditate by 7 or 8. In bed and asleep before 10. Up at 6 a.m. It's changed my life. I started taking cold showers a while back but fell out of that while I was clawing my way out of anxiety and depression. But I'm to the place now where I am ready to continue doing that. My diet. I have always been very active. I grew up a runner and then into weight lifting and cardio. I fell out of that for the past 10 years. I could always compete but I was always tired. Turns out I had bad guts which I take a probiotic for now which has definitely changed my life. But the biggest diet change was finding out I was allergic to Gluten. My immune system attacks it and anything I digest with it. So if I eat a burger with all the nutrients I need, if the bun has gluten, my body will purge everything, including all of the healthy things I need (hence the vitamin deficiencies). No more gluten has reduced my heart palpitations, headaches, and immediate need to go to the bathroom after I eat. I've started working out again. I've lost quite a lot of weight in the past two years from changing my diet alone. I'm 6'4 with a normal weight of 215 to 225 and I got up to 282 lbs. I started eating healthier and did the OMAD diet. Lost 62 lbs. Had a few tragedies happen that got me off course temporarily and went back up to 245. Around a month ago, I started getting my shit back together and now I'm 227 on my way to 210 ish. Give or take 10 lbs. It's been an incredible road. I never knew how healthy I could feel. It's been over 10 years.....probably more like 13. When you're down in the dumps, it's so hard to even THINK about getting healthy again. Then get the motivation to go forward. But it's possible and it takes time. The results are definitely worth it! It's a journey to find all this out. You have the right mentality. What I have gone through isn't what everyone else goes through and it takes a really long time. I can't wait to watch your journey evolve.

[@romanahmedi]

very interesting. thank you for sharing man!

[@igster8293]

@@romanahmedi Thank you for reading!

[@peaklander1]

Great concept. Love the realism and the mellow vibe. 1. Sleep. 2. Mindlessly browsing youtube. Actually, a pretty big issue now that I think about it. 3. I should probably clean my room.

[@jordanbonaparte1335]

I’m already consciously meditating, journaling and positive thinking… that for me Joe is the interventions I can make and keep at it. I am a self employed personal trainer and especially in these current times it’s hard and I will have to lead by example especially if I’m taking on clients and making them believe in what I do in terms of being a healthy, fit human being

[@HasanKhan20]

Good for you, man. All the best 🤘

[@Alex-gf4iu]

Your description of "feeling good" is exactly what i'm trying to work on. I have terrible posture and i have constant neck pain which causes headaches and affects my vision and concentration. Poor posture also gives me random aches and pains, uneven shoulders, sore back, all sustained after terrible COVID posture while gaming. My sleep is poor and i haven't eaten enought the past year. Luckily im working on these things but i wish i fixed them before they started to influence how i feel 24/7. I'm leaving high school soon and I just want to feel how i did a few years ago. I've quit computer games, eat how i should and now do postural excersies and im seeing improvements. Hopefully once school ends and i start working (im going into a pysically demanding job) my posture and health will improve.

[@joelevans3342]

Could watch your full day of eating vids 10 times over but this is a great avenue you’re about to explore. Very intrigued mate!

[@highradicals]

Seeing the title before even watching the video, it’s hard living life being in a natural high. The best high ever know is through pain and the end part of that spectrum is worth it. I’m saying this because your mind is emptied and it la being filled with joy in my experience.

[@Ateekshordealist]

I can already see the last part of the series or the “ what I have learnt” , The natural high comes from your perception of the world or how you view the world and how ur mindset decides that feeling of ecstasy. External factors matter less and everyone should constantly try to learn and have a growth mindset. Then again you can only improve if you use the left side of your brain play a sport, improve cognitive intelligence and have wellness practices in your daily routine, i.e EXTERNAL FACTORS.

[@nathansharnsky2330]

Dude.. Thank you. Love to see what happens here. This is inspiring, beautiful, and totally human.

[@joseee1295]

You can just tell he’s a really intelligent person. Such a cool guy

[@jordanmcleod5964]

This is the first time I've come across your videos Joe. I really like this setup. I will definitely be watching the following. I really like how you balance your clear communication style with a touch of personality. Anyway, to answer your question, I'll give you the 4 things I'm working on this month. 1. Fitness - Got some issues with my knees so mainly focusing on physio work for them. No major goals, just consistency. 2. Diet - Eat more fruit and veg. More homecooked whole foods. Occasional treats. Good for the body, mind and pocket. 3. Work - I do Deliveroo mainly so I decide my schedule. It's too easy to take a day off, which then turns in to several days. So just focusing on consistency again here. 4. Learn Italian - My girlfriend is Italian. We just got back from a trip to visit her hometown. I met so many of her friends and family who I wish I could talk to. However, most of them don't speak English. 15 mins a day on Duolingo is the goal for now. That and use what I've learned when talking with the girlfriend. So far she laughs at me a lot but that's all good. I take it as payback for all the times I've made fun of her for "being a foreign" :) (a personal joke between us made in good humor btw!)

[@alecblueotter]

Editing is insane, would love to see more of these

[@James-kg5il]

Joey d doing what other fitness youtubers don't. Moving on to the more important mental health to help us be in better mindset for physical health. 🙏🏼

[@DJcs187]

Missed you Joey, hope you had a great vacation!

[@SaraLubratt]

Less social media (actually listen to the time limits set on my phone) Prioritize movement, if only an outdoor walk More water and less alcohol Great video! Thank you! Am excited to watch this journey unfold!

[@scott-trout]

Hey man, very cool experiment. Looking forward to future videos. My three: 1. Spending more time outdoors. (Walks, sitting, being present in my surrounding, etc) 2. Continue fitness journey but eliminate comparison in my thoughts. 3. More time in prayer, meditation, and Bible memorization. Ive found that experiencing peace on a spiritual level through Jesus makes the physical things so much better. Thanks for the content!

[@RichardQmLewis]

I've been on a similar journey to consciously not feel shit and this is year 7. I think yeah, I feel really good... and down moments are becoming more manageable and less time consuming. My current list includes: I exercise 2x a day. Any combination of running, long walks, stretching, light strength training, I haven't play football due to covid but that will come in time. I hold at least 2 meditations/breathing sessions a day minimum 10minutes each. This helps to keep me focused and screen the negativity of my surroundings. Plus doing it right before bed has really helped with my goal of better sleep. I sleep better. More consistent with my wake up times. Still working on sleep time but the breathing and meditation before bed has been a huge factor in better sleep, even if I'm getting 5 hours as opposed to 6.5 hours. 8 or more hours happens on Saturday night into Sunday and it's good. So good. Then i realised me hating naps growing up was worth revisiting because trying to get all 6 or 8 hours at once may not be possible a half hour snooze is brilliant when I can create the time. Screen time/social media time has been reduced significantly. I feel i miss out especially when in conversations but I know what I gain is a much better feeling than if I consumed more social media, and i get the chance to ask people to tell me more which make me look super interested in what others want to say. Better diet to increase my weight in a healthy manner is what I currently focused on, along with reading more books to fuel my mind. Its a long and winding road... but it is possible to feel consistently better every day and see how the perspective of my immediate surroundings change to match my mood. Thank you sir for sharing. I feel my approach has been less structured than yours, however this has given me encouragement to tighten up my slack ends. nuff love n respect

[@joshuaskinner9047]

Joe... What are the chances we could just get an hour long edit of all these lifts plus chill music in one video so I can keep the vibes as optimal as possible during home gym workouts

[@chrisgallegos801]

Great intro to what will be an interesting series. My 3: 1. Have a regulated sleep schedule 2. Eliminate all sugary processed foods 3. Lower stress levels by meditating/prayer/reflection

[@dawidwraga]

great introduction, I'm looking forward to the rest. I think you overlooked a massive category though - MENTAL e.g. reading, meditation and organisation are all things which have had a massive impact on my happiness personally

[@ofir0]

I think he meant some of this stuff under 'lifestyle' category

[@dawidwraga]

@@ofir0 probably so but it would be surprising to divide diet and supplements into different categories but group social life and meditation into one aha

[@johnhockley6070]

Love this! I have just deleted all social media apps etc, next would be work stress and money, followed by more sleep

[@Andrew.baltazar]

One of the few fitness KZbinrs I've seen grounded in reality. Straightforward, authentic, no bullshit. Keep diving deeper my man!

[@jacobwhalley7026]

Mate this style of content suits you so well, because you're abit of a clever cloggs on the quiet, I'm locked in like this is a netflix documentary! Absolute quality!

[@wwfcwill]

Yes Joey D! Looking forward to seeing how this develops. Diet, exercise and sleep are surely the three cornerstones to seeing an improvement in your overall wellbeing.

[@Munro_96]

Arise. Sir Joe Delaney. This is peak content right here. Love where this channel is headed. Been a long term viewer and I look forward to seeing this new series.

[@wb29292]

You're an absolute beauty Joey D. these are my favorite types of videos of yours keep em coming

[@deepak1987]

I have pursued this same question for like all of my life till now. Factors for me: # Good sleep 8.5hrs, sleeping at the same fixed time each day. # Caffeine-tea (80ml) 2x times in the day # Hot first and fade to cold shower # Avoiding too much sugar # Some pullups/pushups, leg raises on a bar # 20m 120cal evening walk # Supplements: D3, Zinc, Selenium, B-complex (leaving a day or 2 gap and mix and match) # Some engaging social interaction here and there # Not having any: allergy, immune response, inflammation, cold, chest congestion, any sick person around you infecting you mildly etc. # Diet: Lunch and Dinner had in approx the same time each day. # Avoiding disturbing, anxiety-inducing, troubling, or stressful videos. # 1 fap a day preferably (vs. 2) # Journaling/Insight writing whatever is running through your mind.

[@philforrence]

Dude, this is so dope! You're like an old timey philosopher! 3 immediate interventions: -Relationship health (friends, family, partner) -Nature immersion, take a long 3 month hike -Psychedelic session ( heroic dose, led my shaman / therapist! )

[@klankatar]

Sounds awesome, really looking forward to the rest of the series. Diet, exercise and time in nature are my biggest 3 deficits at the moment I'd say

[@MUFC11MCGLYNN]

Brilliant video. The natural high really is possible for people to achieve. What I would add to this is daily journaling, and cutting out the small lies we tell ourselves. I write out month goals every month, week goals every week, and daily goals everyday. The small lies for me personally I noticed consisted of justifying sleeping in 5 minutes longer, avoiding a bill I owe and blocking that thought in my head, denying to myself my car needs work done and continuing to drive it, telling myself I deserved a hot shower instead of a cold one, etc. Admitting the hard truth with absolutely every aspect of my daily life has been just as important for chasing the natural high for me personally as my diet and exercise have been. Once your ultimate goal is to get comftorable being uncomftorable, and you say this every single day, I believe you can not go back to your old lifestlye. I have been looking for a video like this and I've finally found it. People need to see and believe this. Kepp up the amazing work!!

[@rshird1]

Piano ✅ time lapse ✅ slow mo lifts ✅ Pure vibes from my boy 🔥

[@Julian_Bertsch]

Here are the three immediate factors that I can and definitely will try to control more to gain the natural high: 1.Less screen time: I look into screens a lot whether it is producing content for KZbin or just procrastinating on my phone 2. More frequent sleep schedule: Goes along with point 1 as I feel one of the factors that hinders me from having an actual sleeping rhythm is being on electronic devices too much too late in the day 3: Lifestyle: Something I've been wanting to do for longer now but never got the chance to do it, is exploring my area more, while I lived here for my entire life I still feel like I could find a lot of new places and go on adventures around my place

[@omarshakir8013]

This is one of the best youtube videos I've ever watched (and I've watched a lot) - Thanks Joe! My top three: 1) More nature. E.g. being close to the ocean or mountains 2) Being more vulnerable with others on certain occasions 3) Meditating / yoga / more cardio

[@vinsibil2520]

Three I think you could have missed - Adequate social interaction, good freinds and social circle, studies show being in love also release feel good chemicals. - Being in the present moment, not overthinking. Accepting who you are ect. - Giving/being of service to others. Donating to charity, making food for family. Talking to friends about problems, buying someone a thoughtful present. The people that seem the happiest around me have these things in common, I think diet, exercise ect will only get you so far...

[@robcrerie]

Love this, as it’s pretty much what I’m doing but without documenting it. Looking forward to seeing Joe’s difference, stage by stage.

[@underratededits35]

6 months ago I did the most beneficial intervention of my life and it was quitting social media, I deleted all the social apps except youtube because I learn so much from it. It was one of the best decisions I made in my life I literally felt that I exist and all my senses went so powerful that I feel everything around me in the highest level possible whether it’s sound, smell or feeling. I literally feel Like I’m living like a baby again everything is peaceful and I feel I’m living my life in purist way possible away from all the toxicity of social media and I’m being more focused in my life without trying to impress anyone I’m simply being my self. You should try this intervention for some time and see what it can do for you because I know it’s you what you do basically.

[@pauloneill2872]

Feels like some type of meditation has to be in there... single greatest thing that's changed my life

[@HasanKhan20]

Meditation is truly life changing

[@johnhughes5378]

You've covered a wide range of examples that could potentially help personal well-being and happiness. Some other ideas/ practices could include: 1. Slow down! 2. Abstain as much as possible from media and social media 3. Read more! I'm currently learning about the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and how to apply it practically to modern-day life. 4. Anti-aging supplementation such as NMN and Resveratrol 5. Practices that can build resilience eg. Cold showers (5 min); Doing as many push ups as possible whilst holding your breathe (after some power breathing akin to the Wim Hoff method) 6. Exercise outdoors! Get out of the gym and away from other people. Get in nature! 7. Avoid negative and toxic people where possible. Thanks for the great video mate!

[@kl-vt5ko]

Sick project man! I am looking forwards to watching this journey with you! Good luck!

[@jamiegeron8579]

Control of your own emotions and stoicism, is a path way that has lead me to a “natural high”. I’ve experienced what I would call a natural high, through communication and respect for others and myself. I’ve found that it is incredibly difficult to reach it by yourself, but with others it comes like a smooth and almost controlled happiness. When you don’t let the external interfere with your internal, then your able to chose your response, which are stepping stones forward to this kind of happiness that can be shared. - I understand this is probably the most weird response ever :)

[@TomMarren10]

Really interesting idea, one I’ve considered for a whole. Excited to see the videos in this series!

[@andrewpark3563]

Bro you are genuinely and profoundly wise for being so young. Your way of thinking with an unrestricted and open mind is quite impressive and most definitely inspires me,

[@tijaralegal]

"There's no highs without lows, if there's no low, then there's nothing called high, we discovered that there's something called high state because we have experienced something worse and that's what we usually call a low state or a bad state"

[@gaberoyalll]

great point. what i was thinking today is maybe the key is to be calm and feel good and or present and thoughtful during the lows

[@tijaralegal]

@@gaberoyalll Yeah, presence is always amazing while in the lows or in the highs!

[@baasjebruintjebeer]

Hi Joe, These are the three interventions I would start with: 1 Cut out alcohol, I am currently on exchange in Rome and I like having a few drinks at the parties but during the first few months of 2021 I barely drank any alcohol and I never felt better. Training was great, diet adherence easier and overall felt sharp. 2 Stick to a set sleeping regimen, also did that during the first 6 months of 2021 and felt great, but now on exhcange with all the random social events my sleep schedule is all over the place. 3 Probably limit useless screen time, currently I am so busy I barely check reddit, insta or youtube and it actually feels great. Really looking forward to this series!

[@tastyxi2191]

“Once you learn to function at the peak of consciousness everything will become a play”- sadhguru. I think he could be a good source for information to look into and spiritually

[@arulkumar8621]

shredbundy pulling up with the most amazing videos on the internet. Thanks man appreciate the efforts. MY 3 INHIBITORS/ Interventions I would make: 1. sleep 2. including veggies in diet. 3. meaningful social connections

[@MotoMatthew]

Diet has always been something with me that has made little to no difference to how I feel or perform. Matt Fraser summed it up best when he was on JRE. He takes a multi vitamin and a fish oil, sleeps 8+hrs a day, eats whatever he wants and trains smart. He doesn’t indulge in any alleged “recovery” devices, take special pills, or even supplement with protein/creatine. He felt his best when he ate what he wanted, worked out hard, and slept a lot. To me this speaks volumes.

[@JoeDelaneyy]

Yeah there is definitely a broader point about focusing on what makes the most difference. We like quirky, interesting things, so when we hear that something (whatever is it) can be beneficial in this way or that, we don't really stop to ask the question... How beneficial? Is it more than a negligible amount? And what's the cost? Is that effort best directed elsewhere (like into a set of black-out blinds or a sleeping mask).

[@DJcs187]

That only works when "eat whatever you want" already leans into a somewhat sensible direction. I believe there are plenty of examples, myself in my mid twenties included, who would fare horribly if they followed that advice. Changing my diet purposely without making changes to exercise, stress/work etc. made a very noticeable difference in my life.

[@MotoMatthew]

@@DJcs187 Yes I do agree with you, it does require a baseline level of knowledge on energy and nutrition. Obviously “eat whatever you want” should not be taken too literally in some cases, but I think for most people with a somewhat decent understanding on the subject, it can be successful.

[@MotoMatthew]

@@JoeDelaneyy Yes precisely, the blackout blinds point is a great example. Most people would much sooner throw money into test boosters, protein powders, pre workouts etc rather than focusing on just getting a great nights kip. There really is nothing more important than the bare necessities. Food, water, and sleep. I don’t think these areas need to be over complicated to achieve a goal and certainly don’t think anything outside of these areas would provide any real significant benefit. Of course I am not talking about including the use of PED’s

[@marthasofiaromero3157]

Chillest, coolest, most down to earth person on youtubee. Cheers mateee!!

[@davidwillebrand1000]

Yo Joe you gotta try the Wim Hof method consisting of breathing techniques and cold showers, it has litterarly changed my life along with meditation.

[@chrisscott1402]

In what ways has it changed your life?

[@Vanosphere]

Dude, he lives near me in Gtr Manchester... if he did the cold showers here he'd literally die of Hypothermia in about 5 seconds

[@davidwillebrand1000]

@@chrisscott1402 It's given me a method of breathing which alters the body's state temporarily which also leads to a mental shift, where I get access to a deeply meditative state for about a minute. Everything slightly dissolves into itself and I feel overwhelming love while also being energetic and focused with mental clarity. It's insane.

[@raymondo90]

Great video and thought inspiring. Having paused the video and took stock of my own life I decided that the 3 most pressing things that will enhance my life in some way by changing are: 1. Reduce and completely remove my caffeine consumption - I have done this in the past and the constant energy without the peaks and troughs of a caffeine high is a much better feeling. 2. Meditate every day for at least 10 minutes - I have meditated in the past and have found this to be beneficial for things such as stress, anxiety and all round good mental scrub. However I get to a certain point and stop as I am feeling good. This then regresses and I have to start over again. The key is consistency. 3. Exercise daily - This doesn't mean that I need to go to the gym every day but getting out into fresh air for a walk once a day with added weight training a few times a week will help with boosting the effects of the other 2 areas of importance. I look forward to seeing where this journey takes you and what outcomes you can find.

[@Kanikacyst]

The most high that I've ever felt (while being sober), was the first month or so of consistent, every-day, mindful practice of Wim Hof's breathing technique and taking cold showers. I'm telling you, I felt totally high for hours on everyday basis, and I know what it means to feel high, but none of my senses or thinking processing or emotions were influenced by any drug, but only with chemicals that occur naturally in my body. There were moments when waves of thankfulness and serotonin-like happiness passed through me, and calm joy was my natural state of being. Achieved just by 10 minutes breathing session. Then I stopped because of.. reasons. And also you take some tolerance to those effects, like for everything. But shit, I just talked myself to doing it again (I take cold showers every morning still tho) Edit: but the best part is that this breathing method has incredible abilities to improve overall health and especially influence system Edit#2: Oh and this video made me willing to see next ones to come, it's well thought, well said and well done

[@MattBURNXT]

I'm getting into breath work, so far I love it. If you don't mind telling, why did you stop?

[@maxfischer7293]

i was thinking about the writing point a lot because on first sight it doesnt make a lot of sense. imagine you write an email... or you're in school and write shit down... i did not feel high because of that... having some thoughts spent now, what about if you really want to write something down? either it is a good memory, even a bad one... or just write about something you just learned and really focused on it. it really gives some kind of satisfaction tbh. i guess everybody should write down his lifestory :) nice vid, good content, curious what happens in the next episodes of this series!

[@OBE_PLZ]

The best I ever felt in my life was after meditating for 1-2 hours per day for about 4 weeks. After a while I felt an intense heat in my belly and then one day it went into my chest and I can honestly say it was the best I ever felt. It was kind of like being on E but different, like the feeling of being freshly bathed, after a glass of wine and good sex. When I came out of it I was covered in sweat like I had been working out hard, it was crazy.

[@gregstewart1776]

I really like the concept of this project and would be keen to follow your journey. In regards to the question you asked... 1. Sleep 2. Nutrition/Diet 3. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone in all areas of life (Stepping into fear and being ok with failing)

[@zachfu007]

Joe - Amazing video. I would say the 3 things that I am working on in my control and that will allow me to feel better both physically and mentally is: 1. quit watching pornography 2. sleeping at least 7 hours 3. reducing daily screen time by 2 hours

[@Shirlsair]

Add cold showers too if you can, that list is exactly what I’m trying to do

[@paulmason8478]

How much screen time do you spend though?

[@victorpasfall]

I stopped watching pornography 11 months ago. I have kind of relapsed a few times, but quitting porn was one of the best decisions I have made. I also think I was quite addicted at the time, and I felt like I lost the power and control over my usage.

[@zachfu007]

@@Shirlsair oh yes definitely, i try to do it every once in a while but i want to make it a habit. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@zachfu007]

@@paulmason8478 honestly a lot in my opinion. Like on average 4-5 hrs and the time I want to cut out is all the social media!

[@___xyz___]

I salute your pursuit. Personally, I am of the opinion that the problem with such an experiment is it's an attempt to isolate something nearly everyone inevitably, inexplicably already do every day. And that the focus should not be on _the actual things_ you can do to obtain the natural high, but rather _your awareness of those things._ Because I think you will eventually find people who have already achieved what it is you're investigating. And it's finding those people, and making them aware of what it is they possess which should be the quest; not going blind into an experiment. Further, I think it goes without saying that, even the people who deliberately and explicitly go through life chasing the natural high don't seem to have much success. And that leads me to believe, as you allude to in the introduction, that a significant portion of us have already reached our peak high, and the end goal should never actually have been achieving a "new high", but perfecting that which we were already doing to maintain our flow in mental health and fitness. Again, I wholly respect you and your journey. Good luck.

[@ronanmorris6843]

"Alright Dave, there's no reason to go around telling everyone they shouldn't eat dairy just because you stopped getting back ache when you didn't buy crunch corners one week." Sentences like this are why I click on every Joey D vid as soon as I see it.

[@Zoltan1251]

this... absolutely refreshing to see somebody recognizing placebo effect and fake gurus... i was so sick of guys saying that cold showers cure cancer and crap like that

[@WellWithHels]

So glad this was recommended to me, can’t wait to watch some more of your videos. My 3 would be reduce stress, nutrition and sleep x

[@Jessiethegirl23]

It's nice to come across someone else (a fellow optimizer) who shares my obsession as well. I will be following your experiment.

[@z3d402]

Please make a Playlist so this series so it's easy to follow! Think this will be really helpful & informative for a lot of your viewers

[@TheWorldAsWeAre]

Meditation, diet, exercise, sleep and cold showers. Get those in order and align yourself with a lifestyle that supports your personal future goal (while remaining in the present) You'll feel incredible if you can resonate with what I'm saying. I'm 2 years now fully into that and yeah, I can recommend it. This life is divine.

[@Vpopov81]

i spent 3 months in meditation while bedridden with illness and my inner state became a paradise. The key is to learn to generate spiritual power through meditation, man hasnt yet found his hidden faculty which allows him to draw spiritual power from the source. Most meditation is breath focus etc but only after awakening you latent faculty can you know our true power of human being. True man hasnt even come on the scene yet.... but hes close!

[@johnrayburn6578]

The other day I tried something that gave me that natural high you are referring to. I tried deep breathing meditation between lifting sets during the minute rest periods. It was the most amazing feeling. I am 48 years old, been lifting off & on since high school. This is the first time deep breathing meditation between sets has ever occurred to me & it was awesome!

[@BeKindandNice]

What type of deep breathing meditation and for how long?

[@johnrayburn6578]

@@BeKindandNice It was a simple 16 count cycle of inhale 4 counts, hold 4 counts, exhale 4 counts, hold 4 counts. Repeat for 1-2 minutes which is my standard rest between sets.

[@BeKindandNice]

@@johnrayburn6578 OK, thanks! I will give that a try!

[@jamieobrien2226]

Wish I had been watching this channel for years but this is the first time I came across it. Expect to be sticking around and also looking back extensively at last videos. This man seems fkn great

[@craigwelch3710]

I've essentially been doing this for years with various triumphs and failures. I'm completely on board with your thinking. I treat life like a game and I'm leveling up my character... I do believe there is a sweet spot for everything where you get the optimum outcome for your actions/efforts. Then it's a case of making them habitual. Modern living and social conditioning puts us on the back foot from the start but I'm sure with dedication you can overcome it. Awesome video buddy. I wish you the best of luck and I can't wait to see what you discover! 👍🏼✌🏽

[@marcusat]

You should be commended on your on the approach you've taken. Realistic, honest and without bold claims and clickbait but still packed with enough careful thinking that the experiment will probably give some great answers for you and for others.

[@cait-47]

The three things that I'd like to change are first: getting good sleep every night (writing this at 1:40 am). Second I want to do things for my mental health and stress level e.g. daily meditation, yoga, and exercise. Third I'd improve on my nutrition - which would start with checking whether I have some deficiencies and then changing my diet or supplementing if necessary. Thanks for the amazing video! Love your healthy attitude

[@zackwhite7197]

Super stoked to see how this unfolds for you Joe. I'd say my three top areas for improvement - consistent sleep, consistent diet, and work-life balance. It's way too easy to just work nonstop. Thanks as always for a sick video.

[@spectrum_electrum]

To answer your question: 1. Sleep (Sleep is really the pillar of health,I can tell you from my experience that everything improved when I started getting better sleep .And everything got worse when I started getting worse sleep. The natural high is a pretty good explanation of what you can expect when you maximize your sleep. Digestion is better,mood is better,mental clarity,productivity and so much more. I heard a quote that said "The difference between hope and despair is a good night's sleep." So true! The sleep issue kind of ties with stress levels. If you are chronically stressed,you have to fix this first since sleep will take a toll. 2.Lifestyle : Directing my energy towards activities that achieve a purpose of high meaning to me . For example,I find that when I'm actively spending time towards improving my music skills (e.g. practicing guitar) I feel much better in every way,in every area of my life. This may be different for everyone but I find that doing meaningful work/hobbies etc,whatever that means for someone is what matters. 3. Diet : This is more of a personal thing as I have a quite sensitive digestive system but I found that since finding a diet that I'm ok with(not burdened digestively, enjoying what I eat and being able to sustain it) I have more predictable energy levels.This allows me to have the energy I need to give it my all to what matters to me and enjoy life to the best of my ability. Probiotics make a big difference too. Start drinking kefir that you culture yourself daily and see the difference. You start feeling more stress resilient and with a sense of happiness and contentment that comes from your gut,if that makes sense :)

[@Mafyu30]

Brilliant idea. I like how you put into words something I've sort of been trying to do my whole life, chasing a (maybe unattainable) natural high. Optimising life. Three things I could try/improve: 1) A big factor in feeling good is one's thought process. Negative thoughts and low self-esteem can be worked upon to improve general wellbeing. There is still a bit of room for improvement here. 2) I've heard the keto diet being recommended a lot, but I've never tried it 3) Definitely moving more throughout the day, my life revolves around a screen, but something like manual labour/constant exercise would surely improve my physical health.

[@marcelmongeon9216]

1 - Setting goals that will be challenging. Four months ago I decided I would run a marathon. I did that last month and every day I wake up I remember what I did. I feel great. Now I’m set on running one almost 2 hours faster next month and it drives me 2 - keep learning, find interesting topics and keep the brain stimulated 3 - be excited for the future, and try to appreciate your past and present

[@esther.f.g]

I love this kind of videos where you expose your thoughts. In response to the question, I need to take a break from the city and go to a forest. Also is very important to spend time with the family and friends without being stressed with the time. Finally, meditate and sleep

[@rhysowen5595]

Loved this video. My answers to your question at the end: time management (be a little more productive), making more of an effort to put myself out there in the search for a partner (trying to avoid using dating apps), show more gratitude, and be a little kinder towards the people around me. Looking forward to following this series (y)