Most of us strive to be happy throughout our lives – that’s all we want. Of course, there are many things that we might associate with happiness, including success, money, relationships, appearance, and more. You may have even spent lots of time thinking about what you can do to build your happiness in life, only to find that it’s short-lived. It’s not uncommon for people to seek out things that make them happy for a temporary amount of time, only to discover that they didn’t fill in the void that lies within their heart and soul.
Although social media will tell us (or show us) that happiness means we need to be smiling all the time, it’s simply not feasible. What we can and should be doing, however, is taking control of what we feed our mind, body, and spirit each day so that we can enter into a beautiful state of flow, which is a form of happiness within itself.
What Flow Feels Like
A flow state, also known as being “in the zone,” is the mental state in which a person performing an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity.
Do you ever find yourself so completely engrossed in what you’re doing that you lose track of time? Hours pass by and you don’t even realize it.
You are so focused and content that the world seems to disappear for a while. This loss of self-consciousness that happens when you are completely absorbed in an activity is what flow feels like. For a flow state to occur, you must view the activity as voluntary and it must be something you enjoy doing. It must also require some sort of skill or challenge, with clear goals for success.
Ironically enough, even though a flow state is characterized by the absence of emotion (loss of self-consciousness), flow activities are often described as thrilling or exhilarating. Scientific research continues to find that flow and happiness are closely related. People who experience a lot of flow regularly also tend to increase their concentration, self-esteem, and performance. Some find extra happiness by working towards long-term, meaningful goals.
Find Your Happiness
Many consider flow to be one of the closest things to happiness, simply because it makes a person feel even-keeled and in control. When we’re in a healthy state of absorption, we’re not focused on anything else but the here and now.
In order to live your best life, you have to take the reins on all of the decisions you make. If you’re ready for a new start and a new life in recovery, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned mental health and substance abuse recovery center. If you are ready to seek treatment to develop the tools you need to overcome life’s obstacles and be on the road towards happiness, health, and well-being, call us today at (844) 857-5992 for a consultation. There are people here ready to help you – it’s never too late to begin taking steps towards a happier, healthier life.
