Get into the flow

Editor Ella Foote is also an open water swim coach, outdoor swim guide and teacher. This month she encourages us to go with the flow when we are in wild water.

In our attention-grabbing world it is becoming harder and harder to get our minds into a flow state or focus zone. Most people at some point will have experienced flow state. It is when you get fully absorbed into an activity, experience intense focus, feel joy and lose all sense of time. Often, we see it in creative pursuits, a writer immersed in their words or a musician playing an instrument, but I can also be achieved with complex problem solving and sport. One of the reasons I love long-distance swimming is so I can get into this flow state and sadly, it is one of the few ways I can achieve it.

When you first get into the water, it doesn’t matter the time of the year, there is always a lot going on in the mind. You’re maybe still thinking about your home or work life, you might be wondering what to eat at your next meal or you could be focused on the very present conditions you are swimming in: it’s cold, is it safe etc. But once you are in the water, feet off the ground and moving into your swim stroke, a lot of mental chatter will fall away. This is what we all love about swimming! You could be outdoors or in a pool, but once you are into your flow state, time will pass quickly and you can experience pure joy.

In cooler water, it’s perhaps harder to get into a flow state. But with warming weather and water temperatures, we can start to go with the flow more and more.

This month, why not try and get into your flow state? It means swimming away from pals (don’t worry you can catch up after) and it means leaving life at the water’s edge. Here are my tips for getting into flow state:

• Head to the water with the intention to make time for yourself. If you have a lot on your mind or demands from life, keep a notebook in your swim bag and write everything down before you undress to swim. Just five to 10 minutes to empty your brain onto a page can help you get into the flow.
• As you enter the water, imagine leaving everything else behind at the water’s edge. Regulate your breathing and give yourself some time to acclimatise to the water and get used to the conditions. • Choose to swim for a period of time or set a distance depending on your location – circular routes or A-B swims are ideal. At my local lake, if conditions allow, I try to swim for an hour or 3k and stop whatever comes first. I know six loops is about that distance/time and then I just swim without worrying about how far or long I am taking. If I am in the river, I swim between bridges… you decide.
• It takes 10-15 minutes to get into a flow state. If conditions allow, give yourself 30 minutes in the water, which gives you time to warm up and then try and swim for 20 minutes.
• Flow state happens when you enjoy the activity, and you are good at it. Choose a swim stroke that you love.

There are a number of benefits of regularly getting into a flow state but the top three for me are: happiness, clarity and tension release.