Have you ever found yourself fully immersed in an activity, and all of a sudden 2-3 hours have gone by? Losing yourself in an activity could be exactly what you need to get out of your head and into the present moment. What I’m referring to is the “Flow State”. So what does it mean to get into the flow?
what is the flow state?
Flow state which is also referred to as “in the zone”, is a term popularized by positive psychologists Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Jeanne Nakamura. It simply means to be fully immersed in whichever activity you are participating in. During this flow state, you are not hyper concerned with your performance, nor are you bombarded with thoughts of the past or the future. You are truly present and thus have a heightened level of enjoyment during the process of the current activity.
So how does one know when they are in this state? Well there are some key characteristics that include:
key characteristics
- Intense concentration: People in a flow state exhibit deep concentration and complete absorption in their activity, often losing track of time and becoming unaware of external distractions.
- Loss of self-consciousness: When in flow, due to the complete absorption, it often results in a diminished awareness of the self and a feeling of being one with the task at hand.
- Timelessness: Flow can distort the perception of time, making it feel like time passes more quickly or more slowly than usual.
- Positive Emotions: Flow is associated with emotions such as joy, exhilaration, and a sense of accomplishment. These emotions contribute to a heightened sense of well-being.
- Effortlessness: Despite the challenging nature of the task, people in this state often feel that their actions and decisions come naturally and effortlessly. They feel as though their skills are perfectly matched to the task.
Live in the NOW
Too often, we are not present. As I’m learning by reading “The Power of Now” by Echarte Tolle, the only moment that truly matters is the present. Finding your flow by participating in an activity you truly enjoy can encourage you to become more present. Don’t know how to get into a flow state?
HOW TO ADOPT THE FLOW
- Limit Distractions, no need for mindless scrolling or having a television on.
- Pick an activity that you are skilled at but also challenges you.
- Find an activity you genuinely enjoy! This shouldn’t be something you have to force yourself to do.
- Define the goal before you start. Flow is often experienced when the goals of the activity are well-defined and aligned with your skills and abilities. This clarity of purpose contributes to a sense of direction.
So what can you think of that would put you into a flow state? Can you do this activity everyday, or every other day? Try replacing mindless scrolling with this activity, and I promise you’ll be thankful later on.
