Challenge 08 - Finding Flow
When did you last experience flow?
Today's challenge is to build so flow in your life and get into ‘the zone’. Flow is a state of consciousness where people are completely absorbed in the activity they are doing. Whilst engaged in this ‘optimal experience they feel “strong, alert, in effortless control, unselfconscious, and at the peak of their abilities”1. Flow state can take many forms: during sports (runner-high), artistic pursuits (playing music or juggling), leisure activities (gardening) or education (learning a new language), in fact any activity where you lose time of the moment can be categorised in this way.
So why is flow important right now? It turns out that those who engage in flow activities whilst being in COVID19 quarantine reported more positive emotion, less severe depressive symptoms, less loneliness, more healthy behaviours, and fewer unhealthy behaviours. Not surprisingly the benefits became greater as the quarantine length extended in the study group of more than 5,000 people. This could also help those not in quarantine but with disrupted routines, remote working or work tasks that demand full concentration.
The ‘grandfather of flow’ Csikszentmihalyi insists that happiness does not simply happen. It must be prepared for and cultivated by each person, by setting challenges that are neither too demanding nor too simple for one’s abilities. So how can you plan more flow into our everyday? Some suggestions are listed below with juggling as an example:
1. Turn off distractions, in particular, your smart phone (although its handy to set an alarm to mark the end of your session)
2. Match your skills to the task (juggle 3 balls not 5)
3. Have a clear goal (juggle without dropping ball for 2 minutes)
4. Focus on the present (watch the ball)
5. Repeat and fine tune process until you establish the right balance.
In my case marathon ocean swimming evokes a state of flow when all of my usual worries leave my head for a time you are submerged, and you become away only of your swimming stroke and rhythmic breathing.
So has anyone else experienced flow recently? Tell us here
Reference
1. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. 1990.
2. “Flow seems to mitigate the negative effects of quarantine.” Kate Sweeney. www.universityofcalifornia.edu
Further reading
Read: Flow State. Headspace. www.headspace.com
Watch: How to stop languishing and start finding flow. Adam Grant. www.ted.com
Watch: Flow: The secret to happiness. mihaly_csikszentmihalyi
Listen: Achieving a flow state at work. Can Newport. www.npr.org
** Disclaimer – Part of the Fresh Start Effect / Build Your Ideal Day Program by Duncan Young. All content and media on the Build Your Ideal Day Website is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.
