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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Full immersion in an activity

"Flow state" redirects here. For the album, see  _Flow State_
 .

Concentrating on a task, one aspect of flow

**Flow** in  positive psychology  , also known colloquially as being **in** **the zone** , is the 
mental state  in which a person performing
some activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full
involvement, and enjoyment in the process of the activity. In essence, flow is
characterized by the complete absorption in what one does, and a resulting
transformation in one's sense of time.  [1]  Flow is the melting together of
action and consciousness; the state of finding a balance between a skill and
how challenging that task is. It requires a high level of concentration. Flow
is used as a coping skill for stress and anxiety when productively pursuing a
form of leisure that matches one's skill set.  [2]

Named by the  psychologist   Mihály
Csíkszentmihályi  in
1970, the concept has been widely referred to across a variety of fields (and
is particularly well recognized in  occupational therapy
 ).  [3]  [ _ need
quotation to verify   _ ]

The flow state shares many characteristics with  hyperfocus
 .  [4]  However, hyperfocus is not always
described in a positive light. Some examples include spending "too much" time
playing video games or becoming pleasurably absorbed by one aspect of an
assignment or task to the detriment of the overall assignment. In some cases,
hyperfocus can "capture" a person, perhaps causing them to appear unfocused or
to start several  projects  , but complete few.
Hyperfocus is often mentioned "in the context of autism, schizophrenia, and
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – conditions that have consequences
on attentional abilities."  [4]

Flow is an individual experience and the idea behind flow originated from the
sports-psychology theory about an Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning. The
individuality of the concept of flow suggests that each person has their
subjective area of flow, where they would function best given the situation.
One is most likely to experience flow at moderate levels of psychological
arousal, as one is unlikely to be overwhelmed, but not understimulated to the
point of boredom.  [5]