In today’s world, where everything seems divided, there’s one thing we all have in common: the desire to be happy. But what does happiness really mean?
Happiness isn’t some mysterious force that randomly comes and goes. It’s not something that briefly pops in and out of our existence. Instead, happiness is an emotion that we create by making certain choices. We opt for experiences that bring us joy, and the more often we choose them, the happier we tend to be.
True happiness often comes when we’re in the “flow.” This is when you’re so absorbed in what you’re doing that you lose track of time and forget about everything else. You’re fully engaged, and it feels like you’re working effortlessly with a sharp awareness of the present. In the state of flow, the lines between work and play blur.
Flow happens when you’re deeply involved in an activity, be it intellectual, professional, or physical. According to psychology, flow requires perceiving the activity as enjoyable and challenging, with clear goals and feedback. You need to feel in control and see your progress immediately. Interestingly, being in flow means your emotions temporarily fade away, although reflecting on it later may reveal how exhilarating it was!
You’ve probably experienced flow before, even if you didn’t know it. Have you ever been so caught up in something that time just slipped away? Have you felt “in the zone”? During those moments, you might have ignored everything else; perhaps you even forgot to eat or didn’t hear people talking to you. Notice how deeply focused, happy, creative, productive, and relaxed you felt?
Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls this the “flow state,” which represents the peak of happiness. This state not only feels incredible but also enhances your productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. It can help you reconnect with what truly matters to you in life.
Csikszentmihalyi started studying flow while exploring the concept of happiness and understanding what makes life fulfilling. He found that people who regularly experienced flow were happier and more content. They were also more productive and creative.
So, what is flow exactly? Csikszentmihalyi explains in his book “Flow” that it’s a unique state of consciousness where you perform your best and feel your best. You feel a sense of harmony and a desire to keep doing what you’re doing simply for the joy of it. Flow often occurs when you’re good at something you love, and it challenges you without causing anxiety.
The activities that trigger flow vary widely. Many people know athletes experience flow, but it can happen in many other ways too. You might find flow when cooking, writing, playing music, creating art, practicing yoga, or even solving math problems.
Think about what activities bring you to peak happiness. When was the last time you felt this blissful and high-performing state?
While research on flow isn’t extensive, neuroscientist Arne Dietrich has some insights. He suggests that during flow, certain parts of the brain temporarily quiet down. These areas are involved in self-awareness, impulse control, and complex thinking. This change in brain activity allows for intense focus and quiets your inner critic and fears.
In flow, you can think creatively, take action, be more productive, and enjoy what you’re doing. In his book “The Rise of Superman,” Steven Kotler explains that flow makes you less critical and more courageous, enhancing your ability to imagine new possibilities and share them with the world.
When you’re in flow, your sense of self grows. As Csikszentmihalyi discusses in his book “Creativity,” being in flow makes you too involved to worry about your ego. After the flow experience, you emerge with a stronger self-concept, knowing you’ve succeeded in meeting a challenge. Paradoxically, the self expands through self-forgetfulness.
The intense focus during flow makes it a productive state. A focused brain is far more efficient than a distracted one. While in flow, you solve problems faster, make new connections, and often experience breakthroughs.
Flow also impacts brain chemistry and can aid in healing. Kotler notes that being in flow boosts the immune system thanks to five powerful neurochemicals: dopamine, noradrenaline, endorphins, serotonin, and anandamide. These neurochemicals amplify immunity, while stress hormones are flushed out.
Want to feel the peak of happiness through flow more often? Follow these five steps to integrate more flow into your life and experience more joy, creativity, productivity, meaning, and fearlessness.
Identify what activities lead you into flow. To enjoy more flow experiences, pay attention to your feelings when engaged in life. Notice which activities suspend time, quiet your inner critic, feel effortless, engage your skills, challenge you, and bring satisfaction. Once you know these activities, incorporate them more into your life to boost your well-being.
If you’re unsure what triggers your flow state, explore new things. Discover what makes you feel free, connected, creative, productive, and confident. Maybe you’ll find flow trying something new, like paddleboarding or teaching a class. What activities have intrigued you that you haven’t tried yet? What new experiences could you explore in the coming months?
Focus fuels flow. How present are you in work and life? Do you allow your brain to work on one thing at a time, or are you often multitasking? Encourage flow by reducing distractions, giving full attention to tasks, staying present, and decluttering your space.
If you spend too much time in your head, worrying and overthinking, you might block flow opportunities. Inner distractions, or your “inner critic,” can hinder flow. When consumed by questions like “Is this right?” or “Am I good enough?” you miss out on flow.
Silencing your critical inner voice and suspending self-judgment helps you access more flow. In flow, you’re more willing to take action, express, and create. Where in your life do you need to let go and stop overthinking? What activities have you avoided due to fear and worry?
Csikszentmihalyi found that flow doesn’t occur when you’re under- or over-challenged. Boredom and anxiety don’t enhance performance or happiness. Stay in flow by challenging yourself at the right level. Take on new challenges that engage your skills without causing anxiety. What can you do to set new challenges that stretch your skills a little?
Flow encourages personal growth. Csikszentmihalyi says, “Flow activities lead to growth and discovery.” Boredom or frustration arises when doing the same thing at the same level for too long. The desire for enjoyment pushes us to expand our skills or seek new opportunities.
Flow is characterized by enjoyment. Csikszentmihalyi describes it as “autotelic,” meaning an activity is rewarding in itself. How often do you do something just for the joy of it? Have life’s pressures taken away activities that let you experience flow because they don’t seem “productive”? Maybe you’ve stopped painting, singing, gardening, or working on a fun project because it feels directionless.
Feeling that everything must lead to an outcome can prevent flow. To feel more flow, give yourself permission and time for activities that activate this harmonious state. Engaging in joy-based activities, although seemingly indulgent, is crucial for happiness, health, and fulfillment.
Life’s duties can get overwhelming, but the truly magical moments happen when you’re living in flow. The timelessness, effortlessness, and creativity, combined with less fear and self-consciousness, make flow an ideal state to live in.
