👇🏻Caption - FLOW Science. The 4 stages of FLOW:- 1. Struggle - The prefrontal cortex is switched on. Beta brain waves are induced and we are focused and paying attention. Cortisol and Norepinephrine are released. The time span can be short (sports), or weeks and months (writing a book). The stage is frustrating. During this stage most people stop as it feels like they're getting nowhere. This is normal as we are acquiring knowledge and skill so our mind is overloaded. It's a sign we're headed in the right direction. 🤯 2. Release - take your mind off the problem. Embodied activities. Which makes our mind go quiet. Like dancing, gym, jogging or taking your dogs for a walk. The mind goes into Alpha and Nitric Oxide flushes our system from the stress hormones. 🏃🏼‍♀️ 3. FLOW - a super creative state. Our brain gets flooded with dopamine, endorphins and anandamide. We feel SELFLESS. The pre frontal cortex goes quiet, the inner critic disappears and we go to theta/gamma brain waves. We witness TIMELESSNESS as the prefrontal cortex is quiet. The activity becomes EFFORTLESS. And there is a RICHNESS of the experience as all the information processing systems of the brain are turned on. This state can feel Euphoric like electric is running through your body.⚡ 4. Recovery - occurs in Alpha and Delta brainwaves. You need 7-8hrs of sleep a night. Deep sleep for recovery and REM sleep to transfer information from short term to long term memory. Serotonin and oxytocin are released. The recovery stage replenishes all the neural biochemistry lost during the high energy stage of FLOW. In addition to sleep we require an active recovery protocol. Epsom salt baths, Saunas, Massages, Restorative Yoga, Breathwork, Mindfulness & Meditation. This prepares us for struggle and for the cycle to recommence. 🧖🏼‍♀️ I help high performers, athletes and business leaders transform their lives. If you want to go from mediocre to phenomenal DM me "PHENOMENAL". 💥 #phenomenal, #flow #struggle #release #recovery #flowcoach #coach #mentaltoughness