3 LIFESTYLE FLOW-STATE BLOCKERS: where it all gets complicated and why brain coach can't skip nutrition and fitness.
Yes, so the cognitive checklist I posted HERE is actually the easy part. Lifestyle, health and nutrition are quite a bit more complicated.
Flow state is a state of biology just as much as cognitive performance.
Brain and body are inseparable. If you want to have elite brain performance - you must have a matching body. No way around it. That’s why it’s so easy for athletes to hit the flow - their biology matches! That’s why they study flow in athletes - it’s almost inevitable to happen and easy to track when your body’s fitness is at its best.
Let’s talk about details. Here are 3 major factors that will block flow states for the majority of people.
1. BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCES
When your blood sugar spikes and crashes - your focus, energy and mental/physical performance follow the pattern too. You can’t be in flow state if your blood sugar is all over the place. Never gonna happen.
That’s why eating processed foods and drinking sugary beverages is almost a guarantee of never getting into flow states.
2. NUTRIENTS DEFICIENCIES
Flow state is conditioned by many neurotransmitters - messenger molecules that neurons use to communicate with each other.
Dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and other neurotransmitters. All of these require amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
Short on some of those? You are out of luck. No flow state for you. Physically impossible like building a house without bricks.
Most people are either suboptimal or deficient chronically in many key nutrients. And it doesn’t matter then how hard you focus - flow state will not happen then.
Solution?
Eat a balanced diet. Take supplements. I made a post on supplements HERE.
3. BRAIN CHEMISTRY IMBALANCES, INNATE OR DUE TO THE LIFESTYLE
That’s where it gets REALLY complicated. From insufficient sleep, to increased inflammation, to insufficient sun exposure or too much stress - many factors will influence optimal brain chemistry and when that happens flow state becomes challenging or impossible.
And of course some people’s brain’s chemistry isn’t balanced innately, that’s where one might have to use supplements and/or medication to balance the state for optimal performance. All of the innate brain conditions, except for rare genetic conditions and severe brain malfunctions are VERY hard to diagnose precisely and treat effectively.
I suggest doing what you can consistently for the next month - sleep, sun exposure, exercise, great diet, stress management etc - and see how your brain performance changes.
Questions❓
Always happy to answer those! Comment below or DM. Follow me on Instagram for lifestyle motivation and guidance @1000yearyoung
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