· By PYM STORE
8 Tips to Get into Flow State for Better Focus & Mental Well-being
Have you ever been “in the zone” with a project? Or you sat down to do something you love and somehow the ideas just seemed to come to you on their own?
There’s a word for that: “flow.”
Flow State has been shown in research to improve your mental well-being, and enhances learning and memory. And it's not just reserved for creatives!
Anyone can tap into Flow State with the right conditions. Read on for 8 tips to get you in the flow and maximize productivity!
What is Flow State?
There’s been a lot of research about flow and “flow state,” but happiness expert Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi first coined the term 40 years ago and has been doing research on it ever since.
While someone is in this state of flow, “There’s this focus that, once it becomes intense, leads to a sense of ecstasy, a sense of clarity: you know exactly what you want to do from one moment to the other; you get immediate feedback,” Csikszentmihalyi said in a 2004 Ted Talk.
Flow state has been called many things by many people, including artists, creatives, athletes, and musicians. They all report these same feelings of being hyper-focused and having clarity—as if the ideas and actions weren’t from their own thoughts, but some external force.
When we think of the flow state of mind, we often think of the arts, yoga, or sports, but flow isn’t limited! You can achieve a true state of flow while working and even while carrying out day-to-day tasks. Flow state can be experienced in almost any activity, as long as it has clearly defined goals and the appropriate balance of skill use and challenge. You won’t find flow in a state of relaxation, but instead in a state of concentration, challenge, and focus.
What are the characteristics of Flow State?
Positive Psychology succinctly lists eight defining characteristics of flow state:
- Complete concentration on the task
- Clarity of goals and reward in mind and immediate feedback
- Transformation of time (speeding up/slowing down)
- The experience is intrinsically rewarding
- Effortlessness and ease
- There is a balance between challenge and skills
- Actions and awareness are merged, losing self-conscious rumination
- There is a feeling of control over the task
You may not experience all 8 of these at once, but you'll likely experience two or three. When many of these factors combine, your likeliness of achieving flow state increases significantly.
Struggling to concentrate? We'll get to 8 tips to get into flow state soon! First, let's talk about the benefits of achieving flow.
Benefits of Flow State for Mental Health
There are some incredible benefits to finding flow. Operating in a state of flow elevates your mood and confidence, increases your engagement, and improves your performance, all while maximizing productivity.
In a state of flow, you experience a deep sense of concentration so you can work without getting distracted. Your body and mind will know what needs to be done. You won't even have to think about it.
Even better than all that? According to Harvard professor Teresa Amabile, people report higher levels of productivity, creativity, and happiness for up to three days after experiencing flow state.
In a state of flow, a waterfall of feel-good neurochemicals streams from your brain, including:
- Norepinephrine
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
- Anandamide
- Endorphins
These chemicals do more than just make you feel good. Norepinephrine and dopamine help you focus, blocking distractions and reducing your chances of making careless mistakes. Additionally, they allow us to recognize patterns, making it easier to connect ideas. These boosts to learning and performance lead to enhanced productivity. Studies show working in a flow state can increase productivity by up to 500%.
Researchers have also found that flow promotes enhanced well-being. During flow, the happy chemicals serotonin and dopamine boost feelings of pleasure, joy, and reward. Additionally, they can reduce anxiety and stress. Engaging in flow-inducing activities during a research study revealed that flow reduced negative emotions and alleviated uneasiness.
8 Tips to Get into Flow State
With so many benefits, it's no wonder that people are interested in how to get into a flow state at work. A few hacks known as your “flow triggers” can help you get into the flow.
If you're ready to reach peak performance and increase productivity, here are a few tips to help you discover your triggers and flow.
1. Find your passion
The flow comes more easily when you're doing what you love. Self-motivation makes it easier for you to stay focused and engaged in your work. If you're unsure about your passion, try exploring new hobbies or activities. You may find something you're naturally good at and enjoy doing.
2. Listen to binaural beats for focus
Binaural beats are subtle sounds or acoustic beats that affect your brain waves.
When you simultaneously listen to two tones with slightly different frequencies in each ear, your brain interprets a so-called “beat” with a new frequency.
As your brain adjusts to this new frequency, it changes your brain waves. Research has shown this may impact certain brain functions that control the way we think and feel and help to enhance concentration.
You can search "binaural beats for focus" on Youtube or Spotify and find some good playlists!
3. Boost dopamine and serotonin naturally with amino acids
If you have low dopamine or low serotonin levels, you may struggle to reach optimal levels of these focus-boosting neurotransmitters in order to achieve a state of flow.
Your body needs amino acids like GABA, L-Theanine, L-Carnitine, and Taurine to produce dopamine and serotonin.
Get into a state of flow with the Deep Focus Bundle, which includes PYM Attention Chews and PYM Mood Chews.
Attention Chews are formulated with amino acids L-Carnitine, Tyrosine & L-Taurine to get you into a flow state for hours of focused productivity. Mood Chews contain GABA and L-Theanine to helps the mind reach a calm, concentrated state.
4. Challenge yourself
You’re more likely to experience a flow state when you’re working on a single task outside of your comfort zone. What is the appropriate level of challenge? Finding your sweet spot is vital — if a task is too easy, you'll get bored, but if it's too complicated, you won't do your best work. Working just beyond your level of skill is best. The proper challenge versus skill balance will allow you to achieve peak performance while still having something to work for.
5. Set clear goals
A clear goal makes it easier to stay focused and on track. It's important to set SMART goals, ones that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. By creating well-defined goals, you'll feel more motivated and satisfied after you achieve them.
6. Get into a routine
Establishing a routine can also help you get into the flow. Create a series of tasks that help you get into the right state of mind for flow, and follow the routine whenever you begin a deep work session. Stretch your muscles, enjoy a favorite beverage, or light a candle with a particular scent. When you consistently do the same actions, your brain will signal that it's time to focus.
7. Remove distractions
Getting into a state of flow can be challenging if you're constantly being interrupted by external distractions. Set your work day up for success by choosing a quiet place to work where you won't be interrupted. Close your door if you can, and post a Do Not Disturb sign. Turn off your phone and silence any other notifications that might disrupt your concentration.
8. Take breaks
Although the state of flow is about uninterrupted focus, there's only so long your mind can concentrate. Periodic breaks are essential if you want to reach an optimal experience. If you're losing concentration or just not doing your best work, try taking a quick walk or stepping out for fresh air. Just don't grab your phone — texting or scrolling social media during a break prevents your brain from recharging as effectively as going unplugged.
Conclusion
In summary, flow state has wonderful mental health benefits and can be achieved by becoming concentrated, and doing a task that both interests and challenges you but is also within your skillset (aka not TOO difficult). You can get into flow state easier by naturally boosting neurotransmitters called dopamine and serotonin by supplementing with amino acids like GABA, L-Theanine, and Taurine. Try the Deep Focus Bundle to reach peak levels of calm, focus and productivity!