How Do I Quieten My Mind?
- BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ – is this the sound that wakes you each morning?
- Is your first instinct to reach for your phone and check your messages?
- Are you inundated with notification beeps when your phone is off silent mode?
- Do you plug yourself into a Podcast of playlists on your walk or drive to work?
- At which point in your day do you experience a peaceful, quiet and calm mind?
- Do you even know what calm feels like?
We live in such an overstimulated world where disconnection from outer influences is hard to achieve. Most of us have limited time in our day where we can say we are quiet, where we give space for our minds to wander, for our thoughts to quieten, and where daydreaming or internal reflection is made possible.
If this sounds like you, then the chances are, like me, your brain has all but forgotten what a calm alpha brain wave state feels like.
So, what are alpha brain waves, what do they have to do with daydreaming and why are they important?
What Are Alpha Brain Waves?
Each of our brain states corresponds with a different state of awareness.
Each brain wave type has a separate function, and impacts/controls/manages a specific outcome for our level of consciousness and state of mind.
- Theta wave = Deep relaxation, Mediation, Mental Imagery
- Beta waves = Awake, Alert, Consciousness – used during alert mental activity
- Delta wave = Deep, Dreamless State
- Alpha wave = Relaxed, Lucid, Calm and not thinking.
Many studies have been conducted on alpha waves as scientists try to understand the importance of being able to control alpha waves and, in turn, unlock the benefits that alpha brain waves can bring to our minds and bodies. Some of the benefits highlighted by these studies include:
- Helping to control symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Supporting the lowering of stress levels
- Boosting problem-solving capacity and creative thinking
- Maximising mental and physical performance
- Reducing the symptoms of physical pain
But what does an alpha state of mind feel like? Picture this, you are on a relaxing holiday and are just waking up; naturally, just as you open your eyes, your mind is calm and free of unwanted thoughts; at this moment, your brain is most probably in an Alpha brain wave state. Additionally, you may experience an Alpha state of consciousness if you practice mindfulness, meditate, participate in aerobic exercise, or enjoy daydreaming.
Alpha brain waves produce a wakeful, relaxed, open awareness where physical inputs from the external world reduce, and peaceful, inner awareness takes over. Alpha brain states are known for connecting our conscious and subconscious minds, which could explain why when in an alpha brain state, we are prone to creative bursts of energy, we can experience insight, solve problems, and have those “Ah-ha!” moments of self-discovery.
Just think of those moments when you have taken a shower or are out for a long drive; your mind is given the space to wander and drift – it’s no wonder many boardroom problems or personnel issues are unraveled and understood whilst taking a morning shower.
What are Flow States?
According to Medical News Today, a flow state is described as ‘A person is in a state of flow when they are totally immersed in a task. When a person is “in flow,” they may not notice time passing, think about why they are doing the task, or judge their efforts. Instead, they remain completely focused.
So, when we talk about being “in the zone” or “in the flow,” we know this is strongly associated with Alpha brain waves.
The Power Of Alpha Brain Waves
So now we know a little bit more about alpha brain waves; how does this benefit us?
- Mood Enhancement and Stress Reduction – Inducing Alpha waves can help you reduce stress levels and elevate your mood. When our minds are anxious and overworked, our brains can become stuck in Beta waves, which can skyrocket our stress levels. This, in turn, reduces our mental clarity and performance. Effecting an Alpha brain wave state is one solution for managing too much Beta and, therefore, your anxiety.
- Increasing Problem-Solving Ability and Boosting Creativity – If you enjoy a cany type of creative expression, learning to induce Alpha states can deliver you an edge on reaching your full creative potential.
- Improving Mental and Physical Performance – According to researchers, Alpha waves are present immediately after a person engages in aerobic activity and/or when training for high-performance athletic events. This explains the so-called “runners high” experienced by marathon runners. Furthermore, when golfers were observed hitting a perfect shot, researchers noted a burst of Alpha waves briefly occurring in the brain. So, it is thought that by channeling an alpha frequency, you could improve your physical and mental performance.
- Reducing Anxiety and Depression Symptoms – Neuroscience researchers have found that Alpha waves can be useful for people who experience anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD). Some research has found that these psychological disorders are strongly associated with a lack of Alpha activity in the brain.
Some people in the brain research community speculate that the cause of depression might be a deficiency of alpha waves, particularly in the left frontal cortex of the brain. Additionally, Alpha waves appear to increase levels of serotonin, a critical neurotransmitter chemical linked to mental health. Inducing Alpha waves using light brainwave entrainment can offer significant relief from depression symptoms. Balancing serotonin levels is also imperative for anyone healing from psychological trauma. Alpha wave stimulation can be a safe and effective way of achieving this without using medications with potentially unpleasant or dangerous side effects.
- Pain Reduction – Believe it or not, alpha brain wave states can greatly impact the perception of symptoms in people who suffer from chronic pain. Alpha waves produce a calm and relaxed experience; they appear to shift a person’s attention away from the feelings of pain and toward a more peaceful and pain-free awareness.
- Boosting Physical Health and Immune Function – The immune system involves complex interactions between our body, mind, and the external environment. For many years researchers have known that our mind can activate our immune response. Therefore, it’s not surprising that we can boost our immune system and physical health by getting our brains to spend more time rejuvenating and relaxing in Alpha frequencies.
How To Access An Alpha Brain State
There are several ways you can induce and increase how much time your brain spends in Alpha, including:
- Meditation and mindfulness practice
- Aerobic exercise
- Yoga
- Deep breathing exercises
However, one of the most reliable and fastest methods of activating alpha waves in your brain is through DeepWave Light brainwave entrainment sessions. Specifically crafted sessions are designed to support flow states, creative unblock, aid performance and reduce pain by simply increasing the alpha brain frequencies in your brain.
How To Access an Alpha Brain State?
There are several ways you can induce and increase how much time your brain spends in Alpha, including:
- Meditation and mindfulness practice
- Aerobic exercise
- Yoga
- Deep breathing exercises
However, one of the most reliable and fastest methods of activating alpha waves in your brain is through DeepWave Light brainwave entrainment sessions. Specifically crafted sessions are designed to support flow states, creative unblock, aid performance and reduce pain by simply increasing the alpha brain frequencies in your brain.
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