Chasing Flow

Flow is described with the following 8 characteristics by one of the lead researchers on the topic: 

1. Complete concentration
2. Clarity of goals
3. Sense of time is distorted
4. Intrinsically rewarding - feels good
5. Effortless and ease
6. Balance between challenge and skill
7. Losing self conscious awareness - action and awareness are merged
8. Feeling of control over the task

Many have experienced that state of complete absorption and time distortion when participating in a hobby or work. Perhaps for many have experienced the sense of effortless and ease when  on a vacation or at a retreat centre. Sitting in meditation striving to bring the mind to stillness is not flow. Sitting with a cup of tea and scrolling is not flow. Enjoying a beautiful massage is not flow. These things are not flow experiences because certain elements are missing.

---

What makes flow experiences so critical?
People who experience flow are happier.

Vacations, retreats, spa treatments serve to provide a pleasurable experience, but they do not give a sense of purpose or meaning. There is no sense of intrinsic reward. Many athletes experience flow during the pursuit of their sport because there is the possibility for all elements to be present - challenge, goals, concentration, feeling capable, merging of awareness and action.

In the book, The Anxious Generation, Jonathon Haidt presents alarming statistics demonstrating the declining mental health of youth since 2010. While Jonathon presents a compelling argument that this decline is the result of smart phones and social media, another compelling argument is made about the lack of the flow experience. Not sure there is much challenge and skill involved in using social media unless one is trying to be an influencer, and if that is the case, often one is too absorbed in the number of likes to lose self consciousness.  

How can you develop more flow experiences in your life?
Consider hobbies, crafts, artistic expression. Collecting things, or redesigning a space. Building something. Gardening can provide opportunities for concentration on a goal, a sense of intrinsic reward, and the challenge and skill balance.
Pursuit of physical goals. Hiking can provide endless opportunities to not only play with flow, but also to experience the sense of AWE, another well known ingredient to happiness. The pursuit of improved skill or performance provides goals and concentration, as well as the well loved dopamine. Fitness also provides the sense of overall wellness.
Volunteer opportunities for organizations that have meaning to you. The opportunity to serve others gives us a sense of dignity, purpose. Particularly as one ages, and children leave the next, the people who need you may continue to be reduced. As one becomes less physically capable, there can be a growing sense of not being needed or relevant. Offering your experience, skills, and knowledge can be a great support to under-funded organizations. 

What in your life provides you with a sense of flow?
Where do you become completely absorbed in something and time is distorted? Your mind is not pulled into thinking about all the other things that need doing or fears and anxieties.
​What activity gives you a sense of purpose? A goal? Remember all these elements need to be present. 

Let us know in the comment section.