Last week, I caught myself zoning out on most conversations.
I had a busy few days and I felt mentally drained. I could barely follow even the simplest ideas and my mind was jumping from one thought to the next without accomplishing much. I needed rest, but there were still things that required my attention.
This usually occurs when our brain is out of sync with its natural rhythms. Fortunately, we can put the pieces back together and find our way out of this situation.
The Alpha state of mind can help us reach this balance.
The 5 Brainwaves
Our brains operate across 5 different brainwave frequencies (at least).
We access these brainwaves without our conscious awareness.
Each plays a role in helping us engage with different aspects of our lives. Without them, we would essentially function like robots. We’d be stuck in one frequency, unable to interpret the complex feelings and emotions tied to everyday life.
Here’s a brief description of each brainwave:
Gamma – This is the brain’s peak activity state. It’s associated with overthinking, anxiety, survival instincts, and high levels of attention.
Beta – In this state, you are alert, awake, and focused, though not overly active. This brainwave can sometimes lead to distractions or a lack of sustained focus.
Alpha – Linked to calm, relaxation, and creativity, this is the ideal brainwave to access throughout most of our daily lives.
Theta – Characterized by visions, deep meditative states, and the early stages of sleep.
Delta – This state is associated with deep restorative sleep, dreaming, and complete disconnection from the outside world.
Now that we’ve gone through this brief overview let’s focus on the subject at hand.
Alpha Brainwave
The Alpha state of mind sits in the middle of the brainwave spectrum.
It enables us to engage in physical and mental activities. When in Alpha, you can balance both your actions and emotions while being more clear on taking the right decision in crucial moments.
The Alpha state promotes:
- Detachment without being ignorant.
- Interaction without being too emotionally involved.
- It also allows us to be creative while preserving a clear mind.
How To Enter The Alpha State
- Find a quiet moment throughout the day, free from distractions.
- Sit comfortably in a chair with your back straight.
- If you lie down, make sure you’re not going to fall asleep as you’ll miss the Alpha state and enter a deeper phase.
- Inhale as you count to 4.
- Hold your breath for 4 counts.
- Exhale slowly while counting to 4. Release the air from your chest first, and then your abdomen.
- Repeat around 10 times.
As you continue through this exercise, you might feel a slight “numbness” resulting from releasing low-vibrational thoughts, stress, and anxiety.
NOTE: Counting to 4 is pretty standard. But the goal is to feel comfortable and relax. Therefore, adapt to an optimal pace instead of rushing through each breath.
Benefits Of Entering The Alpha State
Physical Level: Helps reduce stress levels, allowing the brain to relax. This recalibrates and strengthens the immune system, balancing the body’s functions.
Mental and Emotional Level: Remaining in the Alpha state promotes a clear mind, calm decision-making, and emotional detachment.
Energetic and Spiritual Level: Maintaining an active Alpha state enables the body to receive an abundant flow of universal life force energy, promoting the healthy function of primary chakras and clearing blockages in energy channels.
Probably the most obvious and effective benefit of entering the Alpha state is stimulating the universal energy flow.
When this happens, everything else will be taken care of.
Obviously, intention and focus help, but it becomes much easier when we align with the universal flow. This will also create a balanced foundation for practices like Reiki, meditation, and even simple mindfulness. Your actions toward well being will enhance and results should come sooner.
The Alpha state of mind doesn’t have to be an isolated and rigid event. You can practice it throughout the day, especially during stressful times.
It’s a simple yet effective approach to connecting to the profound wisdom and peace you already have within.