Whilst we are children, particularly when we are 6 and younger, our predominant brainwave frequencies fall into the theta range (4—7 Hz). This is a slower frequency than we experience as adults, and as such one rarely hears young children complaining of over-thinking or ‘busy mind’!
Theta can be recognised as the brain-state we experience at night before sleep when we are drowsy; or that state in the morning just after opening our eyes when we can wake up with a fresh idea or a solution to a problem we’ve been wrestling with. Theta is often described as a hypnagogic or liminal state between wake and sleep.
When our minds reside in the theta frequencies, we experience deep mind-rest. It is a very creative state where inspiration often bubbles up from our subconscious; and in a theta state we feel more open-hearted, present and connected to others and the world around us.
Unfortunately, though, due to our stressful lives most adults rarely experience theta brainwaves during the day.
Instead, our minds mostly reside in a beta state (13—40 Hz) and for many of us, in high beta. We need to experience some beta activity because it helps us feel motivated to get tasks done. But too much beta activity, particularly high beta, weakens the immune system because it leads to an excess of cortisol production (the stress hormone). Those who worry a lot or suffer from anxiety and those who spend most of their time thinking about all the tasks they’ve got to get done, will recognise the corrosive effects of too much beta energy. It is associated with incessant over-thinking and a mind that can’t stop spindling. Trauma survivors whose minds are stuck in ‘fight, flight, freeze’ reactivity also produce an excess of high beta. When we feel restless, irritable or discontent we are in a beta state.
Between theta and beta are the alpha waves (7—13 Hz). Alpha is known as the ‘PEAK PERFORMANCE’ brain-state because in this state we learn, process, memorise and recollect large quantities of information quickly and with peak effectiveness. It is a focused but relaxed state — the mind is concentrated but without tension. Elite athletes will generally produce alpha brainwaves prior to putting in a big performance (winning a gold medal or running a personal best, for example). Whereas amateur athletes generally produce more of the anxious beta brainwaves prior to competition.
A healthy brain — one which will help us maximise our potential — will be able to move through the different brainwaves fluidly as we respond to the different tasks of the day. Today ‘resilience’ has become a buzz word but what exactly is it and how do we get more of it?
Resilience means your central nervous system has the flexibility to move up and down through the range of frequencies: becoming more concentrated when we need it to be; more alert to danger if there is a genuine threat in the environment; and more able to rapidly decompress into an energy-conserving relaxed state once that threat has passed.
However, if the central nervous system becomes stuck in a regular groove — for example, you are always stressed or you can’t ‘turn off your brain’; you suffer from sleeplessness or forgetfulness; you lack mental clarity; you are anxious, feel depressed or unmotivated — then neurofeedback can help these patterns become unstuck.
Neurofeedback increases alpha and theta states so that your brain learns how to become more focused and relaxed — like the brain of a professional athlete and/or a long-term meditator. With neurofeedback training your brain effortlessly builds new, more adaptive neural pathways that will improve your performance and help you live a more successful and satisfying life.
Now 50% off: 4 sessions for $200 (normally $400).
Call Inez today on 0468-369-824.
Offer expires 30 July 2019.