Back on Track in 2021 – Part 4
Do you ever feel like you are at your limit? When you feel like you are stuck in a fight or flight mode for far too long. We’re always on edge waiting for the next storm to blow in. We have lots of ways of expressing this feeling, and most of us are familiar with it: “I’m about to lose my mind.” “I’m at my wit’s end.” “I don’t know what I’m doing.” “I can’t get focused on anything.” “I just can’t take it anymore.” Sometimes when we feel that way, we just “suck it up”, and “deal with it.” Other times, we feel so stretched thin that even a slight upset sends us spiraling so far down the emotional overload path. Then we start to feel hopeless and ask, “Is that all there is?” “Can I expect more from my life?” “Will, I ever feel happy?” No one is exempt from feelings of deep disappointment, regret, longing, guilt, anger, and fear. So, what are some strategies to quiet the mind, calm our worst fears, or help us see solutions to problems? Accessing mental health services. Sometimes our problems are bigger than overbooking appointments, and the kids spilling juice on the carpet. There are situations where we need an outside individual that we can dump our emotional overload on. There may be issues in your past that need to be dealt with. Some find relief in their practice of religion or seek help from the clergy. These efforts to find a balance between our stress and our hopes for happiness are valuable, and I recommend them based on my own experience. I have also found that we are able to increase the likelihood of success if we learn ways to help ourselves. There are many well-documented studies that support the practice of mindfulness or meditation, and I have experienced the benefits, along with many of my clients. In a 2012 study, researchers compared brain images from 50 adults who meditate and 50 adults who do not meditate. Results suggested that people who practiced meditation for many years had more folds in the outer layer of the brain. This process (called gyrification) may increase the brain’s ability to process information (Meditation: In Depth, 2016). The brain is an electrochemical organ – using electromagnetic energy to function. Electrical activity emanating from the brain is displayed in the form of brainwaves. There are five categories of these brainwaves. They range from high amplitude, low-frequency delta to low amplitude, high-frequency beta. Men, women, and children of all ages experience the same characteristic brainwaves. They are consistent across cultures and country boundaries. During meditation brain waves alter. GAMMA – greater than 30 cycles per second – Subjective feeling states: thinking; integrated thoughts. Associated tasks & behaviors: high-level information processing, “binding”. Physiological correlations: associated with information-rich task processing. Gamma is measured between 30 and 44 cycles per second and is the only frequency group found in every part of the brain. When the brain needs to simultaneously process information from different areas, it hypothesizes that the 40Hz activity consolidates the required areas for simultaneous processing. Good memory is associated with well-regulated and efficient 40Hz activity, whereas a 40Hz deficiency creates learning disabilities. BETA – 13-30 cycles per second – awakening awareness, extroversion, concentration, logical thinking – active conversation. A debater would be in high beta. A person making a speech, or a teacher, or a talk show host would all be in beta when they are engaged in their work. It is generally regarded as a normal rhythm and is the dominant rhythm in those who are alert or anxious or who have their eyes open. It is a state that most of the brain is in when we have our eyes open and are listening and thinking during analytical problem solving, judgment, decision making, processing information about the world around us. Beta would represent overdrive or hyperdrive in our car scenario. ALPHA – 7-13 cycles per second – relaxation time, non-arousal, meditation, hypnosis. Good healthy alpha production promotes mental resourcefulness, aids in the ability to mentally coordinate, and enhances the overall sense of relaxation and fatigue. In this state, you can move quickly and efficiently to accomplish whatever task is at hand. When Alpha predominates most people feel at ease and calm. Alpha appears to bridge consciousness to the subconscious. Alpha has been linked to extroversion (introverts show less), creativity (creative subjects show alpha when listening and coming to a solution for creative problems), and mental work. When your alpha is within normal ranges, we tend to also experience good moods, see the world truthfully and have a sense of calmness. Alpha is one of the brain’s most important frequency to learn and use the information taught in the classroom and on the job. You can increase alpha by closing your eyes or deep breathing or decrease alpha by thinking or calculating. Alpha-Theta training can create an increase in sensation, abstract thinking, and self-control. In our car scenario, Alpha would represent neutral or idle. Alpha allows us to shift easily from one task to another. THETA – 4-7 cycles per second – daydreaming, dreaming, creativity, meditation, paranormal phenomena, out-of-body experiences, ESP, shamanic journeys. A person who is driving on a freeway and discovers that they can’t recall the last five miles, is often in a theta state – induced by the process of freeway driving. This can also occur in the shower or tub or even while shaving or brushing your hair. It is a state where tasks become so automatic that you can mentally disengage from them. The ideation that can take place during the theta state is often free flow and occurs without censorship or guilt. It is typically a very positive mental state. DELTA – 1.5-4 or fewer cycles per second – deep dreamless sleep. We increase Delta waves to decrease our awareness of the physical world. We also access information in our unconscious mind through Delta. Peak performers decrease Delta
