Flow State of mind
What is Flow State and the Benefits of Achieving a Flow State?
The Flow State
What’s going on in your head? Until you know, there can be all sorts of problems. Uncorrectable problems. You can’t fix a problem that you don’t see, right? That is where mindfulness comes in. Mindfulness and mental health are intimately connected. What if you could train your brain to achieve the flow state of mind? Keep reading for tips for getting in to the flow state.
Your mind is busy in there right now, talking about all sorts of things. It may be telling you that you are tired of your job, or that you are a victim of circumstance. It may be running through a list of all the things you need to be doing. It may be saying all the wrong things, and yet you may hear none of it. You may just feel a slight anxiety building as your day goes on.
When I first learned how to do basic mindfulness exercises, I was amazed. I found that whole conversations were going on just below consciousness. Not only was it interesting to see, but the most amazing part was that I could now often end feelings of worry or anxiety. All I had to do was stop and watch my mind until I found the cause.
Once all these distractions have been managed you feel a sense of time slowing down. The sense of fluidity between your mind and body. You are now in THE ZONE! You can handle one task at a time, this is the flow state and ANYONE can achieve it.
Difference Between Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindfulness vs Meditation
Don’t underestimate the power of short term happiness and good thoughts to influence the course of your mental health over the longer term. Resolve anxieties and stresses now, and regularly, and you’ll be healthier, and you’ll be developing good habits. Good feelings now lead to good feelings in the future, and habits are what we need for any long term results.
As for the big problems, mindfulness is a way to see them more clearly for what they are. As you get better at tuning into your own subconscious mind, you will start to see patterns. I found, for example, that my mind was mulling over and worrying about all the possible choices in decisions that weren’t made. It caused me endless stress.
Seeing this clearly, finally recognizing how destructive this habit of indecisiveness was, lead me to change. I started making decisions more quickly, just to try a new way. I immediately experienced how stress diminishes once a decision is made. My habits began to change, and I was getting more done with less anxiety.
The most basic mindfulness exercise is to just sit quietly and start paying attention to everything going on in your body and mind. Of course this can be difficult if you’ve never done it, and this article isn’t a how-to. This is just to make the case that it’s worth learning. There is definitely a connection between mindfulness and mental health.
Meditation States
Meditation is often misunderstood by those who do not practice it. Very often, I hear meditation referred to as, altered states of consciousness. That sounds more like intoxicants, rather than bringing clarity to a cluttered mind.
Without going too deep into what meditation is, or is not, lets focus on one of the many things a daily meditation practice can do for you.
Meditation is commonly seen in many Yoga classes, but it has been practiced by a variety of cultures, including Roman Catholic priests, as well as
Japanese Samurai, who practiced a form of Zen meditation. I mention this so you can see the full spectrum of meditation and its many facets.
There are many varieties and types of meditation, but the easiest form to learn is, breath awareness meditation. Compared to many other meditation techniques, this will enable anyone to experience the benefits of meditation in much less time. I used these techniques and it became quite apparent how well they help in every day life.
Meditation has many rewards, and we will now consider one of extreme value. Through daily practice of meditation, you will release the unlimited potential of your mind. The ability to change, or alter the universe, starts as a single thought within your mind.
You have the ability to alter your own personality and affect the world around you. Hopefully, your personality will always continue to change for the better; if so, this will alter everyone around you for the best.
How Mindfulness and Meditation relate to Flow State
The benefits of achieving flow state
Clarity. When you enter the state of flow, your mind will know exactly what needs to be done without having to think hard. It's almost as if its automatic, your body and mind are one.
Heightened Concentration. The quality of your work will increase dramatically due to the fact you will now be able to focus without being distracted by other things around you.
Happy Thoughts. Once you reach the deep flow state, it can be described as an extremely positive experience. Your are immersed in the moment and doing something you absolutely love. All other worries are gone.
How to Achieve the Flow State
Care about your task.
This task can not be too easy or too difficult. Just like the porridge, its just right.
Pick a task you excel in or have a passion for. Why do something you hate?
While completing the task, immerse yourself in the journey. Enjoy it, love it, learn from it. While the destination is nice to think about, it takes small steps to get there. Focus on those steps!
Flow State Meditation
What can you do now to enter the flow state?
Practice!
I do daily meditation exercises to help increase my mindfulness and help enter the flow state.
Start today by craving out 15 mins a day to try and achieve the flow state. Once you practice and become better you will slowly see these changes take effect in your daily lives.
Stay positive and happy out there folks!