Student Wellbeing

A ‘Flow State’ of Being

You've already experienced it, even if you don't yet recognise the influence of the flow state or understand where its attraction comes from. It's easy to spot—on television, in the jogger with headphones in, or in a child (even one in their 40s) completely immersed in video games. Have you seen a street artist at work? A potter? A gardener?  I was watching guitarist Justin Johnson play some velvet-smooth, smoky blues—and he was in it, too.

Flow theory is the idea that people feel and perform their best when they are fully immersed in an activity. A couple of things are needed, which include:

1. Complete focus - think of that time in which you lose track of time.
2. Challenge of the task, matches your skills - too easy equals boring! Too hard equals frustrating! The task needs to be challenging enough to be engaging. 
3. Feeling in control - feel confident in your actions.
4. Enjoyable - Cleaning doesn’t necessarily strike a cord as something enjoyable; however, can it be rewarding? “Yes sir!”. 

Flow helps boost creativity, learning and happiness. Some people refer to it as being ‘in the zone’. 

Kleon, A. (2021, October 21). A state of flow [Image]. Austin Kleon. https://austinkleon.com/2021/10/21/a-state-of-flow/

What happens in your brain during 'flow state'

There are some pretty amazing things that happen in the brain here, and it is probably easiest if you visualise a chain reaction occurring, e.g., Domino’s colliding, a Chinese firecracker chain, etc. 

During the 'flow state', the brain is engaged, and pathways between stored information and sensory stimuli are open. This has a profound impact on the uptake, storage, rehearsal and interconnection of memory formation. There is a phenomenon that can occur called episodic memory. This refers to a recollection of a memory in rich detail. I have an episodic memory of fishing on a dock in Albany Western Australia with my Grandma and Mum, catching fish within 10 seconds. Eventually I caught a beautiful blue gurnard, also known as the butterfly of the sea. I believe there were a number of factors that met those four criteria, which led me to be ‘in the zone’.

Storytelling is a powerful tool that combines aspects of 'flow state' theory with God’s creation in us of imagination and provides a rich trove of learning opportunities. My children are a testament to the experience of 'flow state' during storytelling, but I’ve also experienced it reading to students. Jesus uses storytelling to teach constantly through the bible, in which he invites people to listen, reflect and discover meaning for themselves. Remember that in the steps needed for ‘flow state’, people must feel focused and in control. In Jesus’ teachings, people brought with them their attitude of listening. Whether mentally and spiritually open and trusting, or the contrary of being closed and distrusting. 

Let's look at the story Jesus told of the Good Samaritan in the gospel of Luke 10:25-37. Jesus could have said, “Hey, you guys really should help other people!” Instead, the Word of God crafted a story that captured their attention and let the people arrive at the truth themselves. Now we know that during 'flow state', we enter an ‘activated’ brain experience, in which we are able to access parts of our memory and thinking that would otherwise be closed. If Jesus' Good Samaritan story was changed to my hypothetical statement, “... you should help other people,” it's likely listeners would quickly disengage. Whereas, in the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus challenged listeners and readers to empathise, make connections, reflect and judge, and finally draw conclusions. 

We can take a lot from this as parents, educators and followers of Jesus. 

1. Encourage deep learning - Don’t be a consumer, be a creator. We live in a very consumer based culture where deep engagement is reliant on the amount of dopamine we can get. When we move into creative interaction it results in a more complete form of learning. 
2.  Engage with your target content on a deeper level. Visualise, reflect and apply it to yourself. 
3. Create an environment - Set aside time and find a good space to pray, rest and recuperate. Paul McQuillan refers to there being two places you should go. A place to recover, and a place to be inspired.
4. Use storytelling in teaching - Follow Jesus’ example and use storytelling to make lessons memorable and engage learners’ minds. My kids keep asking for a made-up story about DirtBike Dave to continue; I think it’s time for DirtBike Dave to clean his room and do the dishes. 
5. Value play and challenge - Video games, music and sports show us that challenge and engagement are powerful learning tools. So in our journey in faith and learning seek challenges, ask some hard questions and participate. 

Blessings, 

Jordan Wheatcroft

Student Wellbeing Counsellor

Brooklyn Park