The ability to fall into a flow state. It is a beautiful thing and is accessible to everyone. To define it, flow state is the feeling where you become fully immersed in whatever you are doing. It is a sense of fluidity and connection between your mind and body where time feels like it has slowed down and your senses become heightened. Exercise is the catalyst that allows me to fall into this flow state the easiest. Going out for a 20-30 mile road bike is where I truly lose myself. One way I know that I have fallen into a flow state is when I am on the bike and the music that is pumping in my ears just becomes background noise. I feel no need to skip a song and I also don’t really realize what I am listening to…it just becomes part of the ambience. I also love being in the flow state on bike rides because even if I say that I am going to think on my bike ride, my mind for an hour becomes blank. No matter how hard I try to set my intentions towards thought, my mental state never seems to agree. It needs time to be blank and filled with nothing. As a result, biking is where I fall into this flow state and my mind doesn’t need to worry about anything else besides this activity.
This post and how important flow states are (I believe everyone) is something I have wanted to talk about for a while on my blog. As a result, I encourage everyone today to take some time and think about where in your life you find your flow state. Chances are that it is probably an activity that is challenging and engaging, requiring you to use all of your brain space towards doing this activity. If this activity is enjoyable, flow state is able to be reached instead of feelings of frustration or disappointment.
Once you think about what this activity is for you, go out in the next week and test your theory. The best way I describe flow state is just this zen where you feel completely relaxed, your mind is blank, you are able to take in your surroundings, time slows down, and you are just able to focus on the task at hand. If you check these boxes with the activity you are doing, congratulations! Nurture this activity and make a conscious effort to incorporate it into your life. Every human needs the ability to shut down the mind and just enjoy. Flow states act as a reset, allow us the ability to live in the present, and usually we are left feeling content. Three things that I have talked about in the blog and that I believe are so important for every human being. Flow states allow for all three of these things to work in conjunction with one another. As a result, incorporate activities that allow for flow states into your daily routine as it will make you a happier human every day. :)
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