top of page
Search

Shifting brain waves alter your outlook, by Karen Little


Dog running through flowers by Karen Little of Sketch-Views

We shift through various brainwaves (also known as "frequencies" or "electrical impulses") throughout life. When the shifting is smooth, we have what is considered a normal life, well balanced between emotions, task fulfillment, rest, and sleep.


Brainwave measurements are classified as follows.

  • Delta waves (.5 to 3 Hz): You are unconscious and in the deepest levels of sleep.

  • Theta waves (3 to 8 Hz): You are engaged in deep meditation and dreams. During the day, these are most prevalent in children who require deep focus in order to advance learning.

  • Alpha waves (8 to 12 Hz): You are awake, but resting. These are associated with concentration and learning.

  • Beta waves (12 to 38 Hz): You are in a waking state and can achieve task fulfillment, attention, problem solving, and decision making. There are three divisions in this range. They are: First: Lo-Beta (Beta1, 12-15Hz), used for musing or thinking. Second: Beta (Beta2, 15-22Hz), used for high engagement, and problem-solving. Third: Hi-Beta (Beta3, 22-38Hz), used for complex thought, anxiety or excitement. This is not an efficient mental state for long periods as it takes a lot of energy.

  • Gamma waves (38 to 42 Hz): These are the fastest brain waves that result in rapid transmission of information. They are related to states of love and altruism and it is speculated that they support perception, expanded consciousness, and possibly spiritual (other worldly) emergence.

Problems occur when we get stuck in a wave. If you are really tired at work (suggesting alpha waves), your attention to a task or situation are very low. Conversely, if you feel highly alert and super-energized (suggesting hi-beta), you'll also have a hard time concentrating, which might lead to prolonged anxiety. Although it seems like we should always be able to control our thinking, outside influences interfere with it and our metabolism causing our brainwaves to shift or get stuck. These include:

  • Many types of medications

  • Recreational drugs and drinks

  • High doses of sugars

  • Poor blood flow

  • Smoking

  • Weak muscles making it stressful to move

  • Diseases and illnesses

  • Brain injuries by accident or as a result of an occupation or game

Being stuck in a brainwave affects your thoughts and mood, with many problems being physical, not psychological. If you just can't get it together, consider the following:

  • Stop smoking. It restricts oxygen to your brain.

  • Stop drinking or using recreational drugs. These for sure alter brainwaves!

  • Significantly reduce the amount of sugar you consume.

  • If you are on medication, check side affects. Some pills taken for health reasons can trigger depression.

  • If you are diabetic, get your condition under control. Studies of diabetic patients report that they tend to get stuck in low-frequency, slow brain wave activity.

  • Move frequently throughout the day to increase blood flow.

  • Stretch frequently throughout the day and do light load baring activities.

The brain during ongoing depression tends to fall in the alpha wave area or slower, causing sluggishness.


To jolt your brainwave pattern, exercise aerobically. Any kind of moving around will help and if you must sit for long hours, consider chair aerobics. Failure to move one's body enough to adequately pump oxygen throughout your body and brain can trigger depression.


If you have problems thinking, feel sluggish, or the opposite, feel hyper and anxiety-ridden, consider seeking self-knowledge through the use of a brain-wave sensor. Sold as "meditation devices" for those who do want to control brain activity, they are also diagnostic. The more you learn about how your body and brain functions, the better able you'll be to address problems.


Links:


Listen to this article:

by Sketch-Views with Karen Little




Comments

bottom of page