If you’re interested in more theory behind this week’s lesson, you might have a look at the following resources.
About “flow state”
The idea of “flow” refers to losing yourself in the moment of a totally engaging activity. Distractions fall away. The incessant background chatter in your head tones down. You’re not thinking about the past or the future. People enter a flow state in many ways – sports, music performance, meditation, sex, work, creating art – it can really be anything that “draws you in” and your mind and body focus on that one thing.
Flow can help with anxiety because it gives a sense of order and accomplishment, which are nice counters to the ongoing sense of chaos that characterizes anxiety. Being able to get yourself into flow also gives you a sense of control – that you have a tool you can wield when you are anxious and feel something different. And, when you’ve gotten that voice in your head to shut up for a few minutes, the chatter is often quieter if and when it does return.
Picking flow activities
When choosing a flow activity, there are a few guidelines.
- Pick something you like. It’s hard to get into flow doing something you hate!
- Pick something that’s hard enough to engage you, but not so hard that it’s frustrating or makes you feel like you’re failing.
- You should be reasonably good at it. Flow is easiest to reach when you are doing something just a little harder than something you are confident doing. For example, playing a sport or game against someone who is a little better than you, or trying a variation on a painting technique you know. It’s hard to get into flow when you are just starting something totally new.
Experts differentiate between distraction and flow, but for the purpose of this practice, I’m grouping them together. I don’t believe flow has to be “productive” to be beneficial, and it’s important to remain within your physical limits. Injuries can happen in flow because we are so focused on the activity we stop paying attention to signals from our bodies!
For more information
- “Go With The Flow ” – Harvard Medicine
- “Flow: The Secret to Happiness ” – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi TED talk
- “What is Flow? ” – Headspace App