Why a Healthy Gut Helps You Enter the Flow State - Harnessing Your Luck (Part 3) -
"Things are flowing well today."
Don't you have days when you feel like that?
Work proceeds smoothly.
Conversations flow naturally.
You don't hesitate in making decisions.
You achieve results without forcing anything.
Conversely,
days when nothing seems to click.
Days when you can't find the right words.
Days when you can't concentrate.
Days when you get irritated by trivial things.
What is the difference here?
Is it ability?
Is it willpower?
Is it just coincidence?
I believe the root of this difference is
"the state of your gut."As I mentioned last time,
the flow state is not the product of special talent.
It starts with practice, but after that, it is a phenomenon that is more likely to occur when your daily awareness and physical condition are in order.
And the
foundation for that is the gut.In this article,
the relationship between the gut and flowwill be explained not as something spiritual, but as a physical mechanism.
What is Flow?
First, let's clarify what flow is.
In psychology, flow is called
"immersion state" or "optimal experience."It is a state where the sense of time fades,
self-consciousness disappears,
and action and consciousness become one.
You are focused but not tense.
You achieve results without feeling like you are struggling.
This state is
not a coincidence, but occurs when the conditions are met.The generally accepted conditions are:
・Balance between challenge and skill
・Clear goals
・Immediate feedback
However, what many people overlook is
the
"physical stability" that serves as a prerequisite.You cannot seek flow alone while your body is unstable.This is because
flow is a nervous system phenomenon.
And the gut has a strong influence on the nervous system.
The Gut is an Emotion-Generating Device
The gut is strongly associated with being a digestive organ, but
another important role is that of a "relay point" thatconnects nerve function and hormone secretion.There are over 100 million nerve cells in the gut.
This is called the enteric nervous system.
Furthermore,
about 90% of serotonin, which is related to feelings of happiness and peace of mind, is produced in the gut.When serotonin is stable,・Emotions stabilize
・Concentration is sustained
・Impulsivity decreases
・Sense of security increases
Conversely, when the gut environment is disrupted,
・Anxiety
・Restlessness
・Irritability
・Pessimism
increase.
Flow only occurs on top of "peace of mind."
In a state of tension, the brain is constantly searching for danger, so you cannot be immersed.In other words, if the gut is unstable,
the foundation of flow collapses.
Gut Bacteria and Neurotransmitters
Gut bacteria are not just digestive aids.
They are involved in the production ofneurotransmitterssuch as:
・Serotonin
・Dopamine
・GABA
These are all related to concentration, motivation, and peace of mind.
To enter a flow state,
you need an "appropriate state of arousal" that is
neither excessive excitement
nor excessive inhibition.This is determined by the balance of the autonomic nervous system.
And the gut strongly influences the autonomic nervous system.
Gut environment improves
↓
Inflammation decreases
↓
Vagus nerve function stabilizes
↓
Parasympathetic nervous system functions
↓
Mental stability and a sense of security are born
↓
Flow becomes easier to occur
This flow can be explained physiologically.
The Vagus Nerve and Flow
The vagus nerve is the largest nerve connecting the brain and the gut.
It sends information not only from the brain to the gut, but also from the gut to the brain.
This is called the gut-brain axis.
And
about 80% of the information flows from the gut to the brain.In other words, it is no exaggeration to say that the state of the gut determines the state of the brain.
When the vagus nerve is stable,
・Heart rate stabilizes
・Breathing becomes deeper
・Sense of security increases
・Concentration becomes easier
When the vagus nerve is disrupted,
・Anxiety
・Impatience
・Excessive high tension
・Difficulty concentrating
occur.
The gut influences the condition of the vagus nerve,
and when the vagus nerve is stable, it is easier to enter a flow state.
In other words,
the state of the gut decisively influences human performance itself.
Gut, Inflammation, and Concentration
Chronic gut inflammation causes
low-level systemic inflammation.Inflammatory cytokines affect the brain,lowering concentration and motivation.
Feeling like your head is heavy.
Not feeling motivated.
Cannot maintain concentration.
This state might not be due to a lack of willpower,
but rather caused by a disrupted gut environment.
To enter a flow state,
your nervous system needs to be clear.
And gut inflammation robs you of that clarity.
Stool Condition is a "Message from the Gut"
Stool is what tells you the state of your gut most clearly.
The color, shape, hardness, and amount of stool are like
a report card for your gut environment.Ideal stool:
・Color: Ochre to brown
・Shape: Banana-shaped and smooth
・Hardness: Slightly soft and passes smoothly
・Amount: 1-2 times a day, with a feeling of relief
This state means the balance of gut bacteria is good,
and the balance of water and dietary fiber is also maintained.
Hard Stool (Lumpy Stool)
Causes: Dehydration, lack of insoluble fiber, lack of exercise
Countermeasures:
・Drink water frequently
・Increase water-soluble dietary fiber (seaweed, okra, etc.)
・Do light walking
Sticky Stool / Stool with a Feeling of Incomplete Evacuation
Causes: Excessive fat intake, dominance of bad gut bacteria
Countermeasures:
・Reduce processed foods
・Actively consume fermented foods
・Chew well
・Reduce food additives
Loose stools
Causes: Stress, autonomic nervous system imbalance, intestinal inflammation, excess water intake
Countermeasures:
・Deep breathing
・Prioritize sleep
・Avoid stimulants
What changes when your gut is healthy?
When your gut is healthy:
・Sleep quality improves
・Waking up in the morning feels easier
・Emotional swings become calmer
・Thinking becomes clearer
・Physical lethargy decreases
In short, your senses become clear, and the quality of everything you do—work, relationships, and play—as a human being improves.
Flow is not
a special concentration technique, but rather
“a state without unnecessary noise.”A healthy gut can be considered essential for reducing that noise.
The flow that begins in the gut
If you seek flow,
prepare your body before techniques.
Prepare your gut.
It is understated.
It is not flashy.
However, it has reliable reproducibility.
The gut is prepared.
The nerves are prepared.
Emotions are prepared.
Focus is prepared.
Actions are prepared.
Connections are prepared.
Results are prepared.
These continue to circulate beautifully.
People call this “having good flow.”
Flow does not come from the outside.
The same applies to water channels and pipes.
No matter how high-quality the water you try to flow,
if there is a blockage along the way, the flow will be poor.
Even if you increase the water pressure,
or add good water,
if the pipe is clogged, it is not a fundamental solution.
What should you do first?
Clear the path of the pipe.
In other words,detox.
Eliminate unnecessary things,
remove stagnation,
and clear the path.
If you do not do that,
no matter how good the nutrition you take,
no matter how good the information you input,
no matter how positive the words you use,
it will not be absorbed well.
If the gut is clogged,
the flow of the body, the flow of thoughts,
and the flow of emotions will all stagnate.
What is needed to improve the flow is,
subtraction before addition.
Rather than what to put in,
what to take out.
This is the basic principle.
Preparing the flow
does not start with piling up new things,
but by first removing stagnation.
The gut is the most symbolic place for that.
Thank you for reading until the end.
It would be very encouraging if you could like and follow.
Flow changes starting with those who prepare it.
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