Hi, Just wondered what activities get people into a flow state....I know cuddling, yoga, dancing and meditation are mine ☺️
Meditation is great. I also enjoy “floating” in a float tank (a spa near me offers a monthly membership for unlimited use of their 2 float tanks). Sometimes I can really get into a state of flow in my home office when I am researching something interesting and preparing a presentation or video about it.
Mushrooms.
Cuddling and doing energy work.
@KarateJuice Happy memories! 🤩
💜🎵 Music. I like to listen to music that sets the tone for whatever activity or feeling I'm getting into.
Any good books, resources for meditation?
I love meditation. It sure beats sitting around doing nothing.
Depends on how exactly you define "flow state", but seeing as I have ADHD and hyperfocus is a thing... Pretty much anything I enjoy doing or absolutely MUST get done urgently 😅
Traditional meditation doesn't work super well for me - externally I may look like I'm calm and focused, but internally my mind is tangenting to a million different places every 5 seconds. Tactile/kinesthetic meditation works a lot better for me - walking, bodywork, breath work, ecstatic dance, contact improv, somatic exercises, etc. It may take a bit, but the added physical sensation or even just recalled memory of physical sensations can be enough to get my brain to focus a little better on one track instead of it's usual crazy web of sidetracks of sidetracks. Meditation doesn't really turn down the noise for me, I have to use medication or sensory overload for that, but for a brief moment it helps me actively choose where I focus instead of having to follow the rapids.
Cuddling, with it's tactile sensory nature and calming effect on the nervous system, can replicate some of the effects of say somatic work or walking meditation. It actually works better for me when I'm mentally in the role of "host" or "professional" so my brain focuses on that task a bit more rather than getting distracted by extraneous things constantly. One of these days though I really want to do a stream of consciousness "A Cuddle Session With ADHD" post because I think my/our experience may be quite different from that of neurotypical folks.
Working out helps but, to relax in specific, yoga; I’ve been doing for 20 years, on and off.
My doctor had me read the flow book, interesting stuff. For me, it's organizing and swimming in the river.
~ Sunset Snuggles
Rock climbing.
I have no problem spending a full day getting ready for one cuddle. Exercise, yoga, meditation, the spa (We have a large Korean spa here) eating super clean, all as a lead-in. I like to approach cuddling from this state so I can bring as much to it as possible while at the same time, enhancing the experience for myself. It makes a huge difference.
My active form of meditation is drumming.
My more laid back form is crochet.
My completely passive meditation is watching a baseball game or listening to music.
If I’m doing a “traditional” meditation I tend to fall asleep. I’m used to my inner thoughts, so they are basically white noise at this point, almost a lullaby.
@PeopleLikeUs That's neat. I bet it does make a difference.
I enjoy mindfulness meditation, Tai Qi, swimming, kayaking.
Lectio Divina and fasting