Background
‘Flow’ is often promoted in the literature and during athletic training as an altered state of consciousness linked to optimal performance. But flow may also elicit a loss of self-control, dependence, and risky behaviors with negative consequences. Big Wave Surfing, for example, involves high rates of exercise addiction, injury, and death. Factors that may lessen flow’s negative consequences need investigation.
Aims
Does variability in ‘mindfulness’ predict variability in poor self-control, emotion dis-regulation and exercise dependence?
Method
Sixty high-risk action-adventure athletes were recruited scoring at least 3.3 on the Short Dispositional Flow Scale (S DFS-2) which were defined as "high-flow-athletes." They completed an anonymous online survey, including the Five Facet Mindfulness Scale (FFMQ-15), Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-18), and Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS-R).
Results
Higher scores of Mindfulness correlated positively with Self Control and negatively with Difficulties in Emotion Regulation. Further research will determine if mindfulness-based interventions increase flow while reducing its potential negative consequences.
Conclusion
Exploring the influence of mindfulness on the dark side of flow may help high-flow-athletes and professionals develop greater self-mastery in order to reach their goals safely.