These Amazing Waves
The brain is composed of billions of neurons that use electrical signals to transmit information. When groups of neurons fire together in a certain way to send signals to other groups of neurons, the resulting patterns are known as brain waves.
Alpha brain waves are one type of electrical activity pattern produced by the brain. The brain can produce slower waves, such as theta waves, typically found in REM sleep and deep meditation, or faster patterns of activity, such as beta waves, which are produced during active and alert states. Alpha waves lie in the middle of this range.
Alpha waves, which measure between 8 and 12 Hz, indicate that the brain is active yet relaxed. Alpha waves usually occur when you are engaged in activities such as daydreaming, meditating, or practicing mindfulness. While researchers are continually learning about the brain, there is some evidence that alpha waves play a significant role in overall well-being. Increasing this type of brain activity may help lower depression, combat anxiety, and boost creativity.
For example, researchers have shown that increasing alpha and activity in the brain’s occipital lobes helps decrease anxiety and improve functioning in those with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Ways to Increase Your Alpha Wave State.
Meditating: Meditation offers numerous health benefits and has been associated with increased alpha brain waves. Check out Angie's meditations on Insight Timer HERE!
Deep breathing: Breathing exercises (called pranayama in yoga) can be an effective way to combat feelings of anxiety.
Practicing mindfulness: Mindfulness is defined as a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. Studies have shown that mindfulness can lead to increased alpha wave activity, which helps to alleviate chronic pain, anxiety, or depression.
Yoga: The relaxed state associated with alpha waves may increase when performing yoga, and some research has suggested that regular yoga practice may positively enhance overall cognitive activity in the brain, including alpha waves.
Tea: More good news about tea. Green, Black, Oolong, and White teas contain the amino acid L-theanine, which increases the production of alpha brain waves, leading to a state of relaxed alertness. Watch a short video showcasing these benefits here.
Watch Angie’s Alpha Wave Inducing practice HERE.
〜With Waves of Calm, Alert, Presence 〜
Angie
Alpha Wave Quotes
Creativity has a brain wave signature as well: alpha waves pulsing out of the brain’s right hemisphere.”~ Steven Kotler.
"When alpha waves dominate your mind, your intuition becomes stronger and clearer" ~Aviodsa.
"Meditation slows down the brain waves and takes you out of Beta state... [It] opens the door between the conscious and subconscious minds" ~ Joe Dispenza.
"Alpha waves in the human brain range from 6 to 8 hertz. The wave frequency of the human cavity resonates between 6 and 8 hertz. All biological systems operate in the same frequency range. The human brain's alpha waves operate within this range, and the Earth's electrical resonance falls between 6 and 8 hertz. Thus, our entire biological system—the brain and the Earth itself—works on the same frequencies. If we can control that resonant system electronically, we can directly control the entire mental system of humankind." ~ Nikola Tesla.