In this engaging discussion, Dr. Julia Christensen, a Danish neuroscientist and former dancer at the Max Planck Institute, explores how we can unlock flow in our daily lives. She highlights the significance of movement, dance, and connecting with nature for enhanced creativity and well-being. Julia discusses the transformative power of art and the importance of authenticity in a tech-driven age, emphasizing how interdisciplinary collaboration can enrich our understanding and expression. She advocates for fostering creativity to combat modern distractions and societal pressures.
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insights INSIGHT
Nature's Synchrony Inspires Flow
Humans are naturally drawn to synchrony and harmony in nature because it signals safety and social connection.
Flow states involve intrinsic motivation, clear goals, and a balance between skill and challenge without competitiveness.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Julia's Journey to Flow
Julia experienced flow first through play and dance as a child, but lost it after a severe back injury.
She rediscovered flow through creative activities like drawing and scientific research on dance and flow.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Exercise Supports Brain Flow
Aim for 150-180 minutes of aerobic exercise weekly to support brain and body health.
Incorporate movement to counteract harmful effects of prolonged sitting and improve mental well-being.
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The New Science of Harnessing Creativity to Heal and Unwind the Body & Mind
Julia Christensen
The Act of Creation
Arthur Koestler
In 'The Act of Creation', Arthur Koestler explores the processes of discovery, invention, and creativity across various fields, including humor, science, and the arts. He introduces the concept of 'bisociation', which involves the blending of two previously unrelated matrices of thought to create new insights. The book is divided into two parts, examining both the creative process and its biological and psychological foundations.
How can we unlock a state of flow in our daily lives? How does connecting with nature influence our mental and physical well-being? How do movement, dance and play help us feel more creative, connected, and content?
Dr. Julia F. Christensen is a Danish neuroscientist and former dancer currently working as a senior scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Germany. She studied psychology, human evolution, and neuroscience in France, Spain and the UK. For her postdoctoral training, she worked in international, interdisciplinary research labs at University College London, City, University London and the Warburg Institute, London and was awarded a postdoctoral Newton International Fellowship by the British Academy. Her new book The Pathway to Flow is about the science of flow, why our brain needs it and how to create the right habits in our brain to get it.
"The state of being in flow and seeking out that state, sort of disappearing from the here and now... it must have been something that has been part of human cultures for many millennia. We know that, for example, dancing can bring you into these states. And we know from many anthropological works that people dance themselves into trance, a type of flow. So, there is that flow in this scientific sense of a state of well-being. And we will speak about what that does to our brain and our broader wellbeing, but also the flow in what cues enter into our senses. So that would be a scientific field that looks at brain synchrony, physiology synchrony, these waves that we see that sort of connect with us.”