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Cognition & social

Flow state

DEFlow-Zustand

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Flow, described by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is a state of deep absorption in a challenging activity matched to one's skill, accompanied by reduced self-awareness and altered time perception. It is a popular wellbeing concept whose subjective experience is well-documented, while neural correlates remain debated. For longevity it is relevant because regular flow correlates with life satisfaction, sustained engagement, and the kind of meaningful activity that supports cognitive aging.

Sources

  1. Csikszentmihalyi M, Csikszentmihalyi IS. (1988). Optimal Experience: Psychological Studies of Flow in Consciousness. *Cambridge University Press*doi:10.1017/CBO9780511621956
  2. Csikszentmihalyi M. (1975). Beyond Boredom and Anxiety: Experiencing Flow in Work and Play. *Jossey-Bass (book)*