Latest / The Kathie Owen Perspective Podcast / 131. The Science of Flow | Unleash Your Potential After 50

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131. The Science of Flow | Unleash Your Potential After 50 · The Kathie Owen Perspective Podcast

• 0:00
  Kathie: Welcome to a journey through the fascinating world of flow state.
• 0:04
  Kathie: As your certified fitness trainer and certified life coach, I'm thrilled to delve into this topic with you, especially as we explore how it can positively impact your brain, your emotions, and your overall wellbeing.
• 0:20
  Kathie: You might be wondering what exactly is the flow state?
• 0:24
  Kathie: Well, it's that magical moment when you become completely absorbed in an activity.
• 0:30
  Kathie: Losing track of time and a feeling of effortlessness yet intense focus.
• 0:36
  Kathie: Today, we'll uncover the science behind this magic state of being and how it can be a game-changer for those of us who are over 50.
• 0:47
  Kathie: You're listening to Kathie's coaching podcast.
• 0:49
  Kathie: I'm your host, Kathie Owen.
• 0:51
  Kathie: On this channel.
• 0:52
  Kathie: We talk about healthy habits.
• 0:54
  Kathie: Having a growth mindset.
• 0:57
  Kathie: fitness.
• 0:58
  Kathie: And reality creation and Reality Transurfing.
• 1:02
  Kathie: Now I just finished a series on the flow state.
• 1:06
  Kathie: But now I'm kind of moving into some fitness after 50 wellness and mindset after 50, because as a certified fitness trainer, I work with a lot of clients who are in the older adult range.
• 1:22
  Kathie: And I, myself am considered an older adult, but I've been training older adults for 20 plus years now.
• 1:30
  Kathie: As well as I'm the corporate wellness director and fitness director at OCuSOFT so actually I work with all ages.
• 1:37
  Kathie: And right now we're in the middle of September and we're talking about focus.
• 1:42
  Kathie: On the topics of the month and flow is a very helpful way to get focused and to find focus easily and effortlessly.
• 1:55
  Kathie: So to kick things off today, let's start by understanding the basics of the flow state.
• 2:00
  Kathie: Think of it as a sense of bliss, when you're fully immersed in a task, whether it's a challenging workout, solving a puzzle, or even just dancing to your favorite music.
• 2:13
  Kathie: The psychology behind flow is rooted in the concept of optimal performance, where your skills perfectly match the task at hand.
• 2:22
  Kathie: When this balance is achieved, you experience flow state, which can be incredibly rewarding, both mentally and physically.
• 2:32
  Kathie: So what is the neuroscience of flow?
• 2:35
  Kathie: And I am not an expert in brain chemistry, but I have studied a lot of it.
• 2:40
  Kathie: And we're going to talk about a lot of the things that go on in your brain when you're in the flow state today.
• 2:46
  Kathie: Let's take a peak inside your brain when you're in a state of flow.
• 2:50
  Kathie: Neuroscientists have discovered that during these moments, your brainwaves shift from the normal waking state beta.
• 2:58
  Kathie: To a more relaxed and creative state, the alpha and the theta waves.
• 3:04
  Kathie: This transition is key to enhancing creativity, problem solving and overall wellbeing.
• 3:10
  Kathie: Moreover, the release of neurochemicals, such as dopamine and endorphins during flow can lead to a natural high.
• 3:18
  Kathie: Boosting your mood and reducing stress.
• 3:21
  Kathie: And as we age, this becomes even more crucial for maintaining a positive outlook on life.
• 3:29
  Kathie: So flow and your emotional wellbeing have a connection.
• 3:33
  Kathie: For many of us over 50, maintaining an emotional wellbeing can actually be a challenge.
• 3:39
  Kathie: However, flow can be a powerful antidote to some of those emotional ups and downs that life throws at us.
• 3:46
  Kathie: In flow, state, negative thoughts tend to fade away and you become engaged in the present moment.
• 3:52
  Kathie: This can help combat feelings of anxiety, depression, or loneliness.
• 3:58
  Kathie: That can sometimes creep in with age.
• 4:01
  Kathie: Additionally, the sense of accomplishment that often accompanies flow can boost your self esteem and your confidence.
• 4:10
  Kathie: Flow can also affect your overall wellbeing, obviously.
• 4:14
  Kathie: But let's tie it all together.
• 4:16
  Kathie: How flow state contributes to your overall wellbeing as you age.
• 4:21
  Kathie: Engaging in flow inducing activities can have a ripple effect on various aspects of your life and physical fitness.
• 4:30
  Kathie: You know, as a certified fitness trainer, I encourage you to find activities that induce flow such as engaging in a challenging workout routine.
• 4:39
  Kathie: This not only keeps you physically fit, but also mentally sharp.
• 4:43
  Kathie: A growth mindset, I talk about it all the time on this channel.
• 4:48
  Kathie: Flow and a growth mindset actually go hand in hand.
• 4:52
  Kathie: Embracing new challenges and learning opportunities can lead to more flow experiences, which in turn, promote personal growth and development.
• 5:03
  Kathie: And then there's Reality Transurfing.
• 5:05
  Kathie: Integrating the principles of Reality Transurfing into your life can help you navigate challenges and seize opportunities with ease enhancing your ability to enter and sustain the flow state.
• 5:18
  Kathie: So the Reality Transurfing concepts that I talk about a lot on my channel.
• 5:23
  Kathie: Our finding advantage in everything.
• 5:25
  Kathie: Reducing importance, the pendulums, which are just thought structures that everyone thinks, and only once your energy and also.
• 5:34
  Kathie: Outer intention or your intuition.
• 5:38
  Kathie: I'll have a link to the Reality Transurfing articles that I've written in the show notes and the description below.
• 5:47
  Kathie: If you'd like to know more about flow I created a five lesson Course on flow that's absolutely free.
• 5:56
  Kathie: You can find the link to this in the description and the show notes below.
• 6:02
  Kathie: What is the neuroscience of flow?
• 6:06
  Kathie: Well, I introduced you to the concept of flow and its psychological benefits.
• 6:10
  Kathie: Let's travel the intricate workings of the brain.
• 6:14
  Kathie: When you find yourself in this state of heightened focus and productivity.
• 6:20
  Kathie: One of the most striking features of the flow state is the shift in the brainwave patterns.
• 6:26
  Kathie: During everyday waking life, your brain typically operates in the beta state characterized by active thought in analysis.
• 6:35
  Kathie: However, as you enter the flow state, your brain waves, transition to alpha and even theta states, which are associated with relaxation, creativity, and deep focus.
• 6:48
  Kathie: So, what is this alpha state Kathie?
• 6:50
  Kathie: I'm so glad you asked, this is the realm of calm alertness.
• 6:55
  Kathie: It's when your brain becomes more synchronized, allowing you to access both the conscious and the subconscious mind simultaneously.
• 7:04
  Kathie: This synchronization enhances your ability to process information and make connections.Contributing to creative insights and actual problem solving.
• 7:16
  Kathie: And there's also theta state.
• 7:18
  Kathie: So deeper into the flow state.
• 7:21
  Kathie: Your brain may slip in to theta waves, which are associated with dreamlike state consciousness.
• 7:27
  Kathie: This is where you experience an almost effortless flow of ideas and actions.
• 7:33
  Kathie: It's a mental state where time seems to vanish and your focus becomes unwavering.
• 7:40
  Kathie: Another key element of the flow states neuroscience is the release of powerful neurochemicals.
• 7:47
  Kathie: Dopamine, often referred to as the feel-good neurotransmitter, floods your brain when you're in flow.
• 7:54
  Kathie: That's a healthy dopamine.
• 7:56
  Kathie: This surge of dopamine enhances motivation and pleasure.
• 8:01
  Kathie: Creating a sense of reward that keeps you engaged in the activity.
• 8:05
  Kathie: Uh, a lot of us may be familiar with the dopamine hits that we get when we're on Tik TOK, scrolling through the social media.
• 8:14
  Kathie: But that's unhealthy dopamine hits.
• 8:17
  Kathie: If you stay on there too long.
• 8:19
  Kathie: Rather it's more beneficial to find flow in an activity that brings you pleasure.
• 8:27
  Kathie: And also helps you along on your purpose in life.
• 8:33
  Kathie: So Tik TOK, not so much on purpose.
• 8:37
  Kathie: But working on something that you enjoy and you're learning and your challenge meets the skill.
• 8:44
  Kathie: That's when the dopamine is a healthy hit.
• 8:49
  Kathie: In addition to dopamine, your body releases endorphins during the flow state.
• 8:54
  Kathie: These are the natural painkillers or the runner's high that you may hear about.
• 9:00
  Kathie: They not only enhance your mood, but also reduce stress and anxiety.
• 9:05
  Kathie: For those of us over 50 managing stress and maintaining positive emotional state becomes increasingly important for overall wellbeing.
• 9:16
  Kathie: This is another reason why I like exercise and the interval trainings that I teach, because you do release.
• 9:23
  Kathie: Endorphins and helps you.
• 9:26
  Kathie: Like it says it helps you reduce stress and anxiety.
• 9:30
  Kathie: And then there's nor epinephrin.
• 9:33
  Kathie: It's another neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the flow state.
• 9:38
  Kathie: It sharpens your focus.
• 9:40
  Kathie: That's what we're talking about in the month of September.
• 9:43
  Kathie: It heightens your awareness and boosts your energy levels.
• 9:47
  Kathie: This chemical cocktail in your brain contributes to the sense of being fully immersed in the task at hand.
• 9:56
  Kathie: Now let's connect the dots between the aging brain and the benefits of the flow state.
• 10:03
  Kathie: As we age certain cognitive functions may naturally decline.
• 10:08
  Kathie: Memory and processing speed, for example, might not be as sharp as they once were.
• 10:13
  Kathie: However, the neuroscience of flow suggests that engaging in flow inducing activities can act as a powerful counter measure.
• 10:24
  Kathie: The brain's ability to enter flow state remains intact throughout life.
• 10:30
  Kathie: By actively seeking out flow inducing activities you can maintain and even enhance your cognitive functions.
• 10:39
  Kathie: This is particularly valuable for those over 50, who want to keep their minds sharp and agile.
• 10:46
  Kathie: I can't stress the importance of making flow a priority.
• 10:50
  Kathie: I'm now 58 years young, but three years ago I was 55 and I made flow a priority in my life.
• 10:58
  Kathie: When I did that, I found that my cognitive functions improved dramatically and my creativity also improved.
• 11:08
  Kathie: Another thing that happens is emotional resilience.
• 11:13
  Kathie: Flow can help combat age related emotional challenges, such as stress.
• 11:18
  Kathie: Uh, anxiety and even depression.
• 11:22
  Kathie: The neuro chemical cocktail released during flow promotes emotional resilience, providing a natural buffer against negative emotions.
• 11:32
  Kathie: And then there's our physical wellbeing, which is something I talk about a lot in my fitness programs.
• 11:39
  Kathie: The brain's connection to physical health is undeniable.
• 11:43
  Kathie: Engaging in activities that induce flow like regular exercise, not only benefits your mental state, but also contributes to a healthier body.
• 11:52
  Kathie: It's a win, win situation for both your brain and your body.
• 11:58
  Kathie: And within the intricate orchestra of neurochemistry that accompanies the flow state, there's a special player known as anendimide.
• 12:08
  Kathie: It's often referred to as the bliss molecule.
• 12:11
  Kathie: Anandamide is a compound naturally reproduced by our bodies.
• 12:16
  Kathie: It derives its name from the Sanskrit word, a Ninda, which means bliss or happiness, and for a good reason.
• 12:25
  Kathie: Enendomide plays a significant role in enhancing the flow experience.
• 12:30
  Kathie: It interacts with a special system in our bodies.
• 12:33
  Kathie: It influences mood, pain perception, and even overall wellbeing.
• 12:39
  Kathie: When you enter flow state, the production of andendamide increases lending to a heightened sense of euphoria and joy..
• 12:47
  Kathie: This blissful feeling not only contributes to the intrinsic reward or internal reward of being in flow but also helps to reinforce the desire to to return to that state.
• 13:00
  Kathie: For those of us over 50, the presence of anendamide in flow state becomes even more valuable.
• 13:07
  Kathie: It acts as a natural mood Buster and stress reducer.
• 13:12
  Kathie: Counteracting some of the emotional challenges that may arise with age.
• 13:17
  Kathie: By actively engaging in activities that induce flow and elevate enendomide levels you can unlock the key to a more joyful and fulfilling life.
• 13:28
  Kathie: Incorporating this understanding into our pursuit of flow and wellbeing can be a game changer as we navigate the intricate terrain of aging gracefully.
• 13:39
  Kathie: Remember it's not just about maintaining physical health It's about nurturing the mind the body and the spirit through the remarkable chemistry of flow with anendamide as one of its star performers.
• 13:53
  Kathie: So The science of flow offers us a powerful tool to enrich our lives.
• 13:59
  Kathie: By understanding the psychology and neuroscience behind it we can actively incorporate flow inducing activities into our daily routines.
• 14:08
  Kathie: Just like i make flow of priority that's what i mean.
• 14:13
  Kathie: As your coach i encourage you to explore these opportunities whether through fitness having a growth mindset or even the principles of Reality Transurfing.
• 14:22
  Kathie: I remember it's never too late to tap into your potential experience the joys of flow and enhance your overall wellbeing.
• 14:30
  Kathie: So let's embark on this journey together And let the science of flow be your guide to a more fulfilling life.
• 14:38
  Kathie: No matter your age.
• 14:39
  Kathie: All right that's my episode for today i trust that you found it helpful and thank you for spending part of your day with me.
• 14:47
  Kathie: If you know someone who can benefit from this please share it with them.
• 14:50
  Kathie: And until next time i will see you next time peace out and Namaste.