What are the most effective ways to promote flow and engagement in physical activity?

Based on the work I have done with people, Flow does not come from an activity. It is actually reversed. Flow is a State of Mind, that when achieved makes the activity seem to transcend time.

Flow occurs when the mind is in a state of ease and the nervous system is relaxed. This state is achieved by retraining the brain to not be overstimulated or distracted, which can be challenging in our modern world. However, by starting with the mind, we can cultivate this state of flow. One way to achieve this state is through physical movement. Engaging in activities that involve movement can help move energy throughout the body and create focus. However, it is important to note that in order to truly experience flow, we must begin with the mind. Retraining can be done through various techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or engaging in activities that promote relaxation and mental clarity.

Effectivement trouver une activité amusante peut nous permettre de la maintenir dans le temps. En fait je pense que pour qu'une activité nous convienne il faut d'abord qu'elle nous mette en joie, qu'elle nous fasse du bien et de savoir aussi pourquoi on la fait. Il ne faut surtout pas faire une activité à contre c?ur, ou parce que la copine ou le copain le fait.... il faut essayer plusieurs activées au début surtout si on a aucune idée de l'activité. Pour ma part je fais de la course à pied j'avais arrêté pendant plus de 20 ans et je m'y suis remise depuis cette année. Et j'adore ?a ! J'aime l'oxygène que cela me procure, la liberté dans tout son sens , la libération du stress .. rencontrer d'autres coureurs .

One thing that often helps but is very underrated is taking the time out to rest While it's important to find things that intrigue us, it is equally important to be able to replenish the energy and effort we put in This helps us sustain our energy for longer hours and enhances our capacity for creativity

How to find an activity that suits you? Reflect on past activities - which one did you like and why? Ask yourself, what are you looking for? If you don't know what, ask yourself if you are (generally) lazy - then don't bother, or tired - then get rest; ornot very curious - then what are you doing here? If you need inspiration, look / ask around - which activities / areas attract your attention? Flow comes from immersion - immersion takes time and a sense of self-abandonment. Allow yourself to try out different activities to find those that are nourishing or otherwise satisfying.

In my experience when it comes to promoting flow and engagement in physical activity if the goal isn’t specific it kills motivation. However when you have a goal that is specific and measureable, you can set timelines on when you will reach the goal. Leading to higher motivation.

1. Start Small: Begin by setting achievable and manageable goals. Gradually increase the intensity, duration, or frequency of your activities as you progress. 2. Be Specific: Define clear and specific goals that are measurable. For example, aim to walk for 30 minutes three times a week or to complete a certain number of push-ups each day. 3. Consider Your Schedule: Take into account your daily routine and commitments when setting goals. Choose activities that fit well into your schedule to ensure consistency. 4. Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body responds to physical activity. Adjust your goals if you experience discomfort or pain to prevent injuries.

Small steps matter. With movement, too much too quick can do more harm than good. In the burnt out population that I work with, there’s a lot of all or nothing thinking, such as “if I can’t walk for at least 30 minutes, it isn’t worth walking at all”. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Getting outside and walking for 5 minutes a few times a day - especially if well timed - can make a massive difference within a few weeks!

En mi experiencia, tener claro lo que uno quiere conseguir cuando emprende una actividad fisica es clave. En mi caso, siempre me ha motivado y estimulado la prevencion de enfermedades, el bienestar y en ultimo lugar mi aspecto fisico. Soy una gran promotora de la actividad fisica en pos de aliviar estres y otro tipo de tensiones.

Establecer metas claras y realistas, es una parte primordial en todo objetivo que nos propongamos en nuestra vida. Sin metas claras, no podremos valorar si hemos alcanzado nuestros objetivos.

What I have seen in my many years of teaching yoga is that when a person is new and just learning the movements, most of the focus goes into following he instructor and figuring out how to do them. Then after a while, as they become more familiar with the movements, they begin to get more into the flow and enjoy the practice more. I think that it is important to give a new activity enough of a chance to take hold of in the body before abandoning it. So even if you don't enjoy your first yoga class, keep going back to experience more classes, and perhaps other teachers. Over time you will find your flow and become more engaged, and start to look forward to the practices.

In my experience try a few different classes or activities to find one that you really enjoy and then try different teachers within that discipline you’ll find the the right activity and the right teacher for you, then it’s plain sailing after that… Enjoyment is the key to continuation.

By balancing your skill level with a challenge, you won't consider yourself as "failing". This is why there are different levels of Pilates Reformer Class for instance. A Foundation Class, then I, II, III. I jumped from Foundation to II and was pretty miserable, LOL. So I went back to level I and then after awhile, to II and it was great. I surprised myself at my strength and felt an achievement. Looking forward to nailing that III...

We seek both comfort and security offset by uncertainty and excitement. This promotes flow state and relieves boredom of same old same old. The driver behind this is a "Growth Mindset" to see what might be possible just beyond the edges of your comfort zone.

Essayez de vous réguler en fonction de votre ressenti et de vos préférences. Si vous préférez quelque chose de peu intense et que vous y prenez du plaisir, commencez par là et augmentez peu à peu la difficulté, les progrès viendront naturellement. Si vous préférez quelque chose de plus difficile et que le défi vous attire, vous pouvez choisir de corser les séances. Vous avez besoin de vous sentir compétent.e dans ce que vous faites donc restez sur des choses que vous savez faire ou des défis atteignables.

I have found it immensely beneficial to first know where you are heading, pick your outcome that gives you a direction. Then your actions will align with your outcome and if you take consistent action Success is just a matter of time!

Sometimes it is best to be intensely focused on the process. It leads to a flow state that is almost childlike in nature. You will transcend the sense of time and even space. As a child would, it is an immersive experience. Lord Krishna in Bhagvad Gita says "Karmanye Vadikarasthe, Ma Phaleshu Kadachana" Translated : Remain focused on the act and the process and don't be obsessed with the outcome. A flow state is just that.

As a yoga instructor I can recommend yoga as a wonderful physical activity that is focused more on the process than the outcome. This is why we call it a yoga practice. In yoga you are guided to pay attention to your breath and how you feel as you move. This inner awareness is vitally important. It tunes you into how the body feels and what it needs, and it engages your mind in service of the body. With your focus on the breath and the sensations in the body, you are quieting your busy mind, reducing stress-producing thoughts, and helping yourself enjoy your own body. This focus will inform you how your body is feeling in each practice session, and what is changing over time. You will develop a closer relationships with your body.

"One step at a time". When we reflect on our achievements and successes, we automatically relive moments of warmth and smile. "Focus on process" is mindfulness. Mindfulness is an acquired skill as a result of meditation. Focus then becomes a way of life leading with happiness, awake and aware of every step!

I agree because process is a journey not destination. Most of us want to reach destination and if anything happens in between, they get demotivated. If you understand that success is a process.. You will reach, enjoy the moment, pass by it and continue to achieve more. The flow is the process.

If you’re interested in becoming more active physically, finding a partner to join you is a great idea. Not only will you have some accountability, but it will also make the experience more fun. Exercise may not be intrinsically fun for you, so pairing it with spending time with a friend will increase the fun factor. The ultimate goal is to make regular exercise a habit. Once you find a friend with the same goal, it will be easier and more enjoyable for both of you to create your exercise plan together.

Studies have shown that flow is more enjoyable when shared with other people. I'll take it a step further and say that in my subjective experience, flow has a contagious quality to it. Some people, often performers, can be so deeply in flow that it radiates outward from them and captivates the audience in their own trance-like state. Given phenomenon like mirror neurons and non-verbal communication it seems very plausible that flow can "jump" from one body to the next.

I completely agree with everyone on this topic—movement truly is life. I've also discovered that using red and near-infrared light can be an effortless way to prepare your body for physical activity. It not only boosts your energy levels before exercising but also improves blood flow, making it easier for your muscles to perform.

A prática regular de exercício físico é uma condi??o fundamental para manter níveis elevados de bem-estar pessoal e desempenho profissional. Para as pessoas que têm a fun??o de liderar projetos e equipas, os seus níveis de energia pessoal s?o decisivos. A disciplina pessoal e o hábito s?o aspetos críticos. Na minha experiência pessoal, ter um parceiro que nos acompanhe na prática regular de atividade física é uma ajuda que beneficiaria imediatamente a maioria das pessoas.

Como en todo objetivo o meta, el conformar un equipo de trabajo es importante, más aún cuando, se extiende o involucra a la comunidad y hay una participación social, esto motiva ya que las satisfacciones se multiplican.

Anything is better than nothing. Black and white thinking stops many people from exercising. Instead of "I can't do half an hour so I'll do nothing at all" it is better to say "I only have 5 minutes so I'll do whatever I can do right now."

Physical activity for chronic fatigue, autoimmune and cancer warriors becomes very difficult, and they cannot do it in the manner as written. Even though they know physical activity will benefit their condition, the first step is difficult to take because of their pain and fatigue levels. At this time, motivation from a support group for a group yoga class works better. even if they would like to do other kinds of physical activity, as their body will not support it initially. Once they take the first step towards gentle and restorative yoga, over a few weeks time, they will begin to have the confidence, balance and enough energy to choose the activity of their choice.

I like to do my stretching, qi gong and mini t'ai chi in the mornings, all together 15-20 minutes. Sometimes I am tired or just feel lazy, then I lie down on the thick carpet in our living room and just start stretching in all direction, thus creating small choreographies for my morning dance. You can start by flexing your fingers and exploring how far you can flex and then stretch, then add the hand then the arm - you see the pattern already...

Use pleasure not guilt to encourage physical activity. Inspire patients to find an activity they truly enjoy, and emphasize how good it will feel! Motivational interviewing is key in identifying what matters to patients; whatever their true goals are, mindful physical activity can help achieve them.

One thing we had never to let apart is to focus not in the what but in the who I wanna became I wanna lose weight it’s not enough but I wanna be a healthy person it change all the focus