Welcome to the blog that COVID birthed.
I have fully engaged my brain’s “flow” state since the first week in April. I just was laser-focused on getting this done! What is “flow” state you ask? The experience matches its name, you go with the “flow” as a continuum. It’s when we push our body and mind beyond the limits to accomplish challenging and worth our time goals. Csikszentmihalyi, author of “Flow” — the creative moment when a person is completely involved in an activity for its own sake. Just getting all the things on my list completed WAS the finish line. In this state, your brain is processing information quickly and efficiently. Your inner-critic, aka, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex turns off. It’s like all the stars being aligned.
Now, I am not a stranger to flow state. I usually notice when my flow is increasing or decreasing. It’s super engaged when I literally am passionate about something and go down the rabbit hole trying to understand all I can about it. (Yes, I do balance other things in life simultaneously). So how can you access this state to work on things important to you? Start small with mindfulness training. Nothing fancy. Just noticing your thoughts can be a start. Then you can use all of your senses to be mindful of your current experience. So let’s say you’re on the beach, you would use the sense of sight to notice all that is around you. Then use the sense of hearing to notice the sound of the ocean wavers, wind, and other sounds. Next, use the sense of touch and feel the sand on your toes and you feel the weight of your body in each step. You get it.
Training your mind and brain to experience life with eyes wide open allows you to slowly tap into your flow state. You will increase your focus, concentration, mood, and overall level of wellbeing. Try it and let me know how it works for you and your life!
If there is something you want to learn more about on The Human Experience Blog, I would love to hear from you!
Leave me a voice message with your questions!
