Hey friend! (We’re friend’s by now, right?) Welcome back to the Low. This week, we’ve got an exciting lineup of fresh stories to keep you up to date on the latest happenings around town. Before we get to that, we have to mention our free AirPods giveaway. It’ll be closing soon, so you know what to do. Also, make sure you’re following us on the socials if you’re not yet, @getthelow on FB and IG. Okay, now that the housekeeping is done, let’s get to the stories. Here’s what you have to look forward to this week:

There’s a new work cafe in town, and it’s called VEL.

Learn how to get into flow at work.

The Savannah Jazz Festival kicks off this week.

Foodie News: Don’t miss this limited pop-up series at Bar by Fleeting.

Put these locales on your fall travel bucket list. 

You can find more details down below. And thanks a bunch for reading the Low!

On Sept. 15, new work cafe VEL opened its doors to the public. The space is cozy and chic with orange accents, a full cafe, privacy pods, and ergonomic nest seating. Founder and CEO Mo Hamzian calls VEL “the lovechild of Starbucks and WeWork.” It’s an apt description, since VEL is equal parts coffee shop and coworking space, ready to accommodate anyone interested in a hot cup of joe and a safe place to get $#!T done. 

Hamzian presents VEL as an extreme coffee shop, providing much more than your average cafe: 

“If every other coffee shop is the iPhone, what would GoPro build? What would an extreme version of a coffee shop look like? So, we went from the ground up, thinking about behavioral sciences, acoustics, and a really steadfast commitment to product to produce a next-generation work cafe.”

Every aspect of VEL has been meticulously crafted through a thorough and thoughtful process that considered everything that a potential customer could need. Great coffee and tasty treats? Check. Optimized seating to suit individual needs? Check. Soundproof pods for those needing a little more privacy? Check. Fast, reliable, secure and private wifi? Check. They’ve even got a cool coffee robot named Iris who’s ready to serve you at a moment’s notice. 

VEL is available on a walk-in basis, which is perfect for casual customers who just want to enjoy the coffee shop. But for those who want to use VEL as a workspace on the regular, there’s a subscription option available for $10 a month, which comes with access to the Work At VEL app, through which you can book your nest seat or pod in advance. 

With freelancers and remote workers in mind, VEL serves as a workspace that complements the home office. Homes are often rife with distractions and may lack the infrastructure and hardware needed to get the job done. When you find yourself in need of a better suited space for an hour or two, you can turn to VEL. It’s specifically designed to help you get into that flowstate, which is that hyper-focused zone when you’re at peak productivity: 

“Flow is very individual, and it’s very difficult to get there. VEL helps you get in flow . . . [by giving] you on-demand privacy, which is very dependable and safe. Also, good lighting, great acoustics, white noise speakers and sound muffling.” 

VEL is a highly-optimized space where workers can thrive, and Hamzian is proud to have opened VEL’s flagship location in Savannah: 

“I love Savannah. . . because it has so much heritage. Savannahians are eccentric and hugely forward-minded. Savannah has SCAD, which means the arts are important to Savannah. And we have the right product and the right landlord in Savannah, so it made sense for us to start here.”

Other VEL locations are coming soon to Charlotte, Nashville and Charleston. In the meantime, he encourages the community to visit VEL and see what it’s all about:

“We care tremendously about your productivity, and . . . we want to help you achieve twice as much in half the time. Optimizing your work experience is our quest, and delegating it is something we’d like you to do.” 

VEL is located at 1508 Bull St. Find some time to swing by and enjoy a coffee and check them out. Tell them The Low sent ‘ya.

Picture this: You’re at work, sitting at your computer, and you’re in the zone, completely focused on the task at hand. The work feels effortless and you lose track of time. Nothing is distracting you, and you’re experiencing peak productivity, totally zeroed in and absorbed by the work you’re doing. You’re firing on all cylinders. Before you know it, the task is complete, and you’ve executed to the best of your ability. You’re proud of the work you’ve done. And rather than feeling drained by the work, you’re energized and ready for the next task the work day throws your way.

This scenario describes what is known as flow or flow state. Put simply, flow state is the experience of being completely immersed in the task you’re doing, causing you to lose sense of time, self-consciousness, and awareness of outside distractions. Flow is an energizing experience that tends to unlock this sense of effortless and all-encompassing attention to the current task.

If flow sounds awesome, it’s because it is. There are several benefits associated with achieving flow state including higher productivity, increased satisfaction and improved emotional regulation. So, you’re probably wondering, ‘how can I get into flow state?’ Well fortunately, it’s not that difficult. You just have to set the right conditions. Here’s a few steps that can help you find your flow:

Having identifiable goals in mind is helpful when trying to achieve flow. When you have a clear idea of exactly what you’re working on and why, it’s easier to achieve the right frame of mind for flow. Having clear goals will help you know if you’re successfully completing the task at hand. 

To achieve flow, you have to find the right balance between challenge and skill. This means that the activity you’re engaging in should be challenging enough for your skill level. If something is too challenging, it’s hard to get into flow because you’re worried about being able to get it done. On the other hand, if something is too easy, you’ll probably find yourself bored, which isn’t conducive to flow.

Once you’re in flow, your brain will naturally ignore distractions, but while you’re working up to flow, distractions can be a problem. Help yourself to get to flow sooner by reducing distractions as best you can. This means snoozing notifications, turning off your phone, and blocking time in your schedule for focused work. If you work in a noisy environment, consider getting noise-canceling headphones or listen to word-free music to drown out office chatter. 

Hustle culture has been lying to you, telling you that multitasking is key to productivity. The truth is that your brain can only focus on one thing at a time. So when you’re “multitasking”, you’re really just shifting attention between tasks rapidly, which is really taxing on the brain and not conducive to flow. Focus on your tasks one at a time and work diligently to help foster flow. 

Flow is only achievable when you’re getting adequate nutrition, hydration and rest. If you’re not taking care of yourself health-wise, you’re not going to get into flow. Help foster flow by prioritizing wellness in and out of the office. Outside of work, create a self-care routine, and in the office, keep a bottle of water and a snack on hand.

Now in its 41st year, the Savannah Jazz Festival kicks off this week, taking place Sept. 20-25 at various venues throughout the city. The free fest features some of the best jazz talents from here at home and around the country. If you love live music, you won’t want to miss the Savannah Jazz Festival, which presents an exciting lineup chocked full of emerging jazz musicians and legends alike. 

The festival kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 20,  with a Latin Dance Night at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum at 7 p.m. And from there, the festivities keep going. Enjoy live performances well into the weekend from talented jazz musicians like Teddy Adams, Jazmine Ghent, The Saturn Quartet and many more. It’s going to be a fantastic festival filled with great music, dancing and plenty of fun.

Again, this is a completely free festival so there’s no reason not to come out and listen to some amazing live jazz music. Check out the schedule and plan accordingly. Find some time this week to enjoy the Savannah Jazz Festival. You won’t regret it.

Located inside the posh Thompson Hotel, Bar by Fleeting is announcing a limited pop-up series called The Remix from executive chef Rob Newton. The Remix is a departure from Fleeting’s signature classic southern farm-to-table fare. Instead, Newton explores global cuisines, curating one-time menus featuring exotic dishes like hanoi style catfish, confit duck with congee, banana leaf pork shank and more. 

If you’re a foodie with an adventurous palate, you won’t want to miss out on The Remix. The series has two dates left, taking place on Sept. 26 and Oct. 3 from 5 p.m. until sold out.  These limited menu items are available a la carte and they’re sure to satisfy. Make your reservations today, so you don’t miss out on this special limited series. 

Southern autumns are absolutely amazing, boasting mild temperatures as the leaves turn amber and vermillion. Pumpkin patches can be found on the side of winding, country roads, and little shops along the way invite you to come in for a warm glass of peach cider. It’s truly a special time of year and arguably one of the best times of year to make a quick getaway.

For one, the weather is comfortable and cooler, so you don’t have to worry about melting away in the blazing sun. For two, hotel prices are typically cheaper than they are during peak travel season. And for three, you can skip out on all the crowds, since most make their travel plans during the spring and summer. So, now that you know why you should travel this fall, let’s cover where you should go. Here are five fun trips within just a few hours of Savannah that you can make during the fall. 

Less than a two-hour drive away, this Golden Isle is an ideal place for a quick getaway this fall. St. Simons Island has beautiful beaches and a lot to offer when it comes to dining and recreation. 

Augusta isn’t typically known as a premier travel destination, but this is quickly changing. If you haven’t been lately, you should definitely see what’s new in Augusta. 

Where to Stay:  Olde Town Inn

What to Do: The Augusta Sculpture Trail

Columbia is an eclectic mix of history, natural beauty, and new development. There’s a lot to do in this college town, making it a great option for a weekend trip this fall. 

A blend of big city living with small town charm, Florence is a lesser-known travel destination in South Carolina’s Pee Dee region. With a revitalized downtown and an array of entertainment, Florence is appealing to more visitors every year. 

Founded in 1565 by a Spanish conquistador, St. Augustine is America’s oldest city, so you can expect rich history in this scenic Florida locale.