Finding Your Flow State

Have you ever been so engrossed in a task that time seemed to simply almost vanish? And what felt like mere minutes to you, actually turned out to be hours? If so, then you, my friend, have just experienced what is known as the “flow state.”

What is a Flow State?

The term “flow state” was coined by famous psychologists, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Jeanne Nakamura, and is used to describe a mental state where one is totally focused in their task at hand. At this mental zone, your productivity soars and time distorts, where you are completely immersed in your activities, often without even realizing it.

Throughout Csikszentmihalyi and Nakamura’s research, they’ve interviewed a countless number of high-achieving individuals, such as chess players and surgeons, and concluded that once you’re in the flow state, “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”. Furthermore, they’ve added that once the flow state is attained, normal irritant habits such as, hunger and fatigue does not occur, nor will it disturb you during this mental state.

What Are The Benefits Of The Flow State?

Achieving flow state is highly beneficial as it maximizes both satisfaction and efficiency in tasks. Research has show that flow state allows for:

• Enhanced productivity
• Less self-judgment
• Increased creativity
• Improved learning
• Reduced Stress

How To Attain Flow State?

So, how can we tap into this magical flow state? Here are a few tips to help guide you find your flow.

Finding the sweet spot

The flow state is a delicate spot; if the task you’re doing it too easy, you might get bored, but if the task is too hard, then you might become anxious. To achieve the flow state, you must find that sweet spot where your abilities stretch just enough to handle the task at hand, but not far enough where it’ll hinder your confidence and progress.

Avoid distractions

The ultimate point of the flow state is to be at your most optimal focus. Try to create a calm and peaceful environment and avoid all distractions if possible. Consider putting all your electronics to ‘Do No Disturb’ mode or by simply telling your friends and family beforehand that you’ll be needing some alone time.

Practicing mindfulness

When you first start, you might find it hard to attain the flow state. Don’t worry! That’s completely normal. Like everything else in life, your body and mind needs time to adjust to this new norm. You can help steer your mind in the right direction, by practicing some mindfulness, such as meditation, which is an excellent practice for enhancing your focus and can significantly assist you in attaining the coveted flow state.

Can CBD Help Achieve Flow State?

As many of you know, CBD has a biphasic effect, which means that at different dosages, there may be different effects. For example, some people may find it easier to relax and unwind when taking lower doses of THC, whereas, they may feel more paranoid at higher doses of THC. It all varies from person to person.

More recently, CBD has become notable for enhancing focus and clarity, which is extra beneficial for reaching the flow state, especially when the dosage is just right! Specifically, researchers believe that CBD interacts with the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS) to potentially elevate levels of anandamide, a neurotransmitter linked to the regulation of pain, mood, and memory, which is often referred to as the “bliss molecule.” This interaction may help achieve the calmness and focus required for the flow state. Additionally, CBD’s interaction with serotonin receptors can promote a calm, stable mental environment conducive to maintaining deep focus. By potentially reducing anxiety and distractions, CBD may help stabilize your mental environment, making it easier to slip into the flow state during tasks that match your skills and challenges.

Takeaways

Achieving and maintaining the flow state requires practice and mindfulness. By structuring your environment and tasks to cultivate this state, you can enhance your performance and satisfaction in virtually any activity. Being in the flow state isn’t just about getting more done—it’s about finding joy in the tasks at hand and unlocking your highest potential.