Chasing Flow (and Why It Feels So Good)
The Secret to Feeling Better, Stressing Less, and Thriving More
The other morning I was laying on my mat in yoga, when my teacher started talking about our breath being the thread between our body and our nervous system. I almost didn’t go, too many things on my list. Thankfully my feet carried me out the door before my mind could talk me out of it. And I was quickly reminded exactly why I love yoga, the way it allows me to quiet my mind and drop into my body.
It also got me thinking about why I’m so drawn to sports like surfing, climbing, and mountain biking. . . the common thread? They’re fun, yes. AND they all demand being fully present. The second your focus starts to drift, you slip, fall, or miss the wave. Not being present isn’t an option.
What Science Tells Us About Flow
That presence we feel in yoga or on a wave? Science has a name for it.
Psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi first coined the term flow in the 1970s to describe this exact state: an “optimal state of consciousness” where you’re so absorbed in what you’re doing that everything else falls away. Focus sharpens, time bends, and maybe best of all, your inner critic goes blissfully quiet.
A recent National Geographic article on the topic put it simply: “flow is that rare place where challenge and skill meet, and life feels effortless.” And thankfully, it’s not just for pro athletes or creatives, anyone can experience it.
Flow feels like you’re both deeply alive and deeply at ease. Studies show that being in this state more often can even help protect against anxiety and depression. Because when we’re in flow, we’re not wrestling so much with life.
Why It Feels So Good
When you’re in a state of flow:
Time slows down.
Our nagging inner critic starts to fade.
Joy becomes the whole point.
The paradox is that we’re often working hard, moving, creating. . . but it often feels like the opposite.
Setting the Stage for Flow
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) flow can’t be forced, but the research shows there are three conditions that make it more likely:
Balancing challenge with skill. Too easy and you get bored, too hard and you feel anxious. Flow lives in the happy middle.
Clear goals and feedback. Even a small concrete goal, “hold this pose for one more breath” can help the brain settle.
Cut the noise. Multitasking, notifications, mental clutter, they block the magic.
A Moment of Flow
Imagine: you sneak out for a morning paddle just as the sun lifts over the horizon. The water is glassy, the salt hangs in the air, your breath syncs with each stroke. For a moment, it’s just you, the ocean, and the morning sun reflecting on the water. Then a wave rises, you paddle, drop in, and enjoy the ride. There’s no space for emails or to-do lists. Somewhere between the takeoff and the ride, time disappears. You’re not thinking about being in flow. You just are. It’s the whole reason we chase these wild adventures. Or at least I think it’s why.
Flow for Real Life
But flow isn’t just for surfers or yogis—it’s available to all of us. As women, our nervous system is deeply tied to our hormones, our energy, our moods, even how well we sleep.And the more we can step into flow, whether that’s on a yoga mat, a bike, or even just chopping vegetables, the more we’re supporting our bodies in regulating stress and finding balance.
So the next time you’re on your mat, or your bike, or even in your kitchen, try this:
Pick one small intention.
Turn down the noise (yes, even the podcast in your earbuds).
Let yourself notice the tiny details. . . your breath, your body, the smells and sounds.
See what happens when there’s nowhere else to be but here. Because when we can be present, we not only feel better, we function better too.
xx
Ashley
PS: If reading this has you thinking it might be time for some extra support, I’m seeing patients virtually through Parsley Health and would love to work with you. You can use the code AGISH200 for $200 off membership.
PPS: If you’re simply curious about your labs, Parsley now offers Longevity Labs—an easy way to get comprehensive testing without a full membership.
Love this so much!!!!! ❤️🙏🏽💫