Do you believe in natural healthy stimulants?

No, I do not believe that any substance can promote "joy, well-being and euphoria." Neither do I believe these can be acquired through diet and exercise. I believe "joy, well-being and euphoria" or better expressed, a state of well-being, peace and happiness, depends on many things; mostly on one's attitude and disposition. While circumstances might cause grief and hardship at times, our attitude determines how we accept or respond to them. Attitude determines altitude. I do believe, however, that some products can be very beneficial to good health, including some mentioned. Several health professionals have said ginger is one of the healthiest foods. I eat an enormous amount of fresh ginger. This is not for any health reasons, but simply because I love ginger and use it to flavour just about everything I eat or drink. I am exceptionally healthy and I thoroughly enjoy life, but I do not believe the ginger is responsible.

The only thing I use is caffeine to help stimulate me in the morning. Sometimes I have it mid-day to help me get to the afternoon. Coffee and tea are the only ways I take it. There is one tea that I enjoy that is green tea with honey and ginseng. It seems to help pep me up a bit. Now that I am working and the work is more physical, I find I have more energy througout the day. But, I come home and take a 30 minute catnap to rejuvinate myself. Happiness comes in many shapes and forms. If you choose to seek it out, it will be there. It may not happen every moment of your life, but even fleeting moments outweigh the sad ones.

I believe that some foods make you feel better than others, but not necessarily to cause euphoria, joy, and a sense of well being. Perhaps I believe just the opposite of this post. Some foods promote good health and well being when consumed in small proportions, but overdo it and you will be miserable. Some food substances, like white flour and white sugar, should be consumed only minimally, because of their effect on blood sugar and insulin. I like honey, and green tea, I have not tried Kava, to my knowledge, and ginseng in large quantities hurts my stomach. Fresh, pure, foods give me a good feeling. I also like coffee, both for itself and for the caffeine it contains. It is a stimulant. I also like how I feel when I exercise regularly, and eat regularly, and my husband finds me easier to live with then as well. I do believe that a lot of how I feel does come from my own attitude, as another poster has said, and I try to bear that in mind when my attitude turns sour. I would like to see more people respond to this discussion.

I believe people can and do 'get high on life' and there are a lot of ways to achieve that. Attitude for one...thinking really does make it so. I find that I feel better with more energy with two cups of coffee and a vial of liquid ginseng/royal jelly in the morning and green, jamine or Ooling tea the rest of the day. For me a balanced lifestyle where I live within my creative, energetic and financial means is a way of following my bliss. Being loved and loving is the best 'high' I know. That, with a feeling connected to Something larger than myself and maintaining an attitude for blessings great and small are all ways that I have learned to enjoy life. Living in the now-ness of my experience rather than regretting the past or worrying about the future are all ways that work for me! Took me awhile to put all these ideas together...but like anything in life it gets easier with practice!LOL