Flow With Life

Flowing with life is finding the perfect mix between enjoyment and challenge. We talk about those moments of great creativity and performance that fill us with positive feelings. The challenge is a fundamental part of our physical and psychological well-being. There is no happiness without challenges. Let’s think that it is much more difficult to find something pleasant or rewarding in an activity that is below or above our capacity.

We talk about those experiences, known firsthand by all, in which we have been able to immerse ourselves and enjoy a task, “forgetting” everything that had nothing to do with it. Time is distorted, seems to speed up or stop.

It is a state in which consciousness works on a different level.  Mind and body are in sync, merging with activity. Some call it the zone. In psychology we call it flow. And once you enter the area you can never forget what it feels like again. It does not matter what is achieved by writing, painting, composing music or playing sports.

The flow theory

We owe the flow theory or flow theory to the American psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. It is not a mere experience that makes us feel good. Entering into flow (state of flow) implies sacrificing the resources that we usually allocate to peripheral attention in another focused and sustained; a “sacrifice” that results in emotional well-being.

There are several dimensions necessary for the experience of flow to occur. It is necessary to have a defined objective. It is also more likely when our capacity is adjusted to the level that the task demands.

It requires a significant degree of concentration. There is a union of consciousness and action. We have a perception of control of what we do, that is, we do not feel anxious or think about failure. Consciousness disappears. The ego vanishes. We have an altered perception of temporal space. It is an autotelic experience: we do the activity because the simple fact that doing it is its main goal and for nothing else.

The chemistry of flowing with life

But what actually happens to us when we flow? Research tells us that it is a psychological experience rather than a physical one. And our brain and its functioning have a lot to do with this. Different areas involved in the state of Flow have been identified.

Our prefrontal cortex is in charge of assessing risks, planning, analyzing thoughts, suppressing impulses, solving problems and making decisions. There is a zone in this area associated with negative feelings towards oneself, the middle prefrontal cortex.

The latter, together with the amygdala, which is the one that processes negative feelings arising from experiences, both are uninhibited when we enter a state of flow. Time distortion occurs in the parietal lobe. On the contrary, the brain area associated with motivation, part of the nucleus acumbens. It is activated when we enter flow . Areas related to the perception of control that we have in a state of flux also seem to be activated.

Endorphin production is stimulated, as in meditation, thereby reducing fear and creating a feeling of euphoria. Increases levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that amplifies concentration by reducing the perception of external stimuli.

Training the mind to flow with life

Acting in this state of flow implies an energy expenditure of which we are often not aware; In this way, when we abandon it, it is normal for us to feel happy but also tired. Also, add that it is a state in which we usually enter tasks over which we have great control.

It is also easier when we keep our brains in shape through reading or any other “brain food.” When we move away from the vulgar or the unprofitable. When we exchange television for a good cultural visit or when we reserve time for ourselves. When we let ourselves be invaded by colors, beauty, art or music.

Flow theory has always been linked to positive psychology. In my opinion many misunderstand this concept. It is associated with happiness, although it is a state that can be entered from a horrible moment of despair.

On the other hand, it would be interesting to have studies that tell us about the relationship of this state with the tragic moments of our lives. Sometimes, getting into flow is also the only way to distance yourself from one reality – to focus on another – when it cannot be managed.

And you, are you ready to flow with life?