MEN’S HEALTH 13
of arousal – perfect for when eluding
sabre-toothed tigers, say, or flying down
the world’s steepest zip line (page 54). But
for a busy man in 2019, it’s more likely to
be the pressures of late nights in the office
and stressful commutes that prompt
adrenalin hits – and in these situations,
the fallout is more detrimental, ranging
from fat build-up to insomnia.
In short, this issue is dedicated to
chasing the right kind of rush. From cliff
diving in the Swiss Alps to snorkelling
with sharks in Tahiti, wild camping in
the Scottish Highlands to downing tools
in the Maldives, we have every kind of
escape to give you a healthy, invigorating,
restorative hormonal injection. So, once
you’ve had your fill of everything this
month’s issue has to offer – and, even
if I say so myself, it’s a bumper edition
- why don’t you carefully put it down,
take inspiration from one of our many
suggestions, then go and live life at its
best? The benefits go beyond mere thrills.
TOBY WISEMAN
EDITOR IN CHIEF
W
hen I was a youngster, many
moons ago in the late 1970s,
Why Don’t You? was a popular
morning TV programme. Aimed at listless
children, it was broadcast by the BBC
during the school holidays with the
intention of promoting activity. While
I don’t recall too much about the show’s
substance – Wikipedia tells me it mainly
consisted of gangs of kids engaging in
peculiar craft games and magic tricks
- I vividly remember the theme tune. In
particular, I remember the confusion I felt
upon hearing its self-defeating demand
for viewers to “switch off your television
set and go out and do something less
boring instead”. What kind of programme
asks you to stop watching it?
Was that genuine bemusement or
nascent pedantry? I’m still not sure. But I
do now realise that the point of the song
was a good one. In fact, it’s not dissimilar
to the theme of the issue you’re holding.
Our Adrenalin Special is a clarion call to
ageing Why Don’t Youers – though we
would take exception to the “boring” jibe.
With white-collar working hours at an
all-time high, career presenteeism on the
rise and corporate loneliness developing
into a recognisable condition, deciding
to break from the confines of everyday
life and go in pursuit of adventure is
something to be embraced.
Of course, the idea of adrenalin can be
misleading. Known as the “fight or flight”
hormone, it’s an evolutionary adaptation
that allows us to cope with dangerous
and unexpected situations. The release of
adrenalin can precipitate an exhilarating
burst of energy and a heightened state
P 90
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Physically healthy
men are increasingly
struggling to perform.
MH investigates the
new ED epidemic
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P 56
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P^76
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P 62
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PAG E
Let our panel
of wine insiders
uncork their
expertise to help
you sniff out your
summer scent
Redefine “man food”
with our gluttonous,
gourmet salads – not
a tuna tin in sight
Former SBS sniper
Ant Middleton has
learned that failure
is a requirement for
personal growth.
He’ll tell you how
to reset your mind
From extreme
kayaking to zip lines,
we present the
wildest adventures
on the planet
Give Bear Grylls a run
for his money – or just
find the best treehouse
hot tubs – with our
camping handbook
Seven men look
beyond the tired
gym tropes to show
you what strength
really means today
EDITOR’S LETTER
ESCAPE THE GRIND AND CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
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