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. 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 everyone, 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, it seems to speed up or stop.

It is a state in which consciousness works at a different level. The mind and body synchronize, 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 doesn’t matter whether it is achieved by writing, painting, composing music or playing sports.

The theory of flow

The theory of flow or flow theory we owe it to american psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. It is not just an experience that makes us feel good. Walk into flow (flow state) implies sacrificing the resources that we usually allocate to peripheral attention to a focused and sustained one; 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 demanded by the task.

Requires a significant degree of concentration. There is a union of consciousness and action. We have a perception of control over what we do, that is, it does not cause us anxiety nor do we think about failure. Consciousness disappears. The ego fades away. We have an altered perception of space and time. 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 flow 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 Flow state have been identified.

Our prefrontal cortex is responsible for evaluating risks, planning, analyzing thoughts, suppressing impulses, solving problems and making decisions. There is an area in this area associated with negative feelings towards oneself, the medial prefrontal cortex.

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

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

Training the mind to flow with life

Acting in this state of flow involves an expenditure of energy that we are often not aware of; In this way, when we abandon it, it is normal for us to feel happy but also tired. Furthermore, 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 brain in shape through reading or any other “intellectual food.” When we move away from what is vulgar or unprofitable. When we change television for a good cultural visit or when we reserve time for ourselves. When we allow ourselves to 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 distancing ourselves from one reality – to focus on another – when it cannot be managed.

And you, are you prepared to flow with life?

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