10 • March 2016 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC.


/SCIENCE MONTHLY


Using Brainwaves To Relax, Ease Stress, Improve Sleep and Boost Immune Function By Andrew Patterson • yuppster76@hotmail.com


Sebastopol, CA. ~ If you suf- fer from chronic inflammation, pain or illness, you already know how stress impacts your struggle for well- ness. While you can’t eliminate stress, you can lower and miti- gate stress by mak- ing healthy choices and learning how to manage your body’s response to stress by accessing heal- ing brainwave states, such as alpha and theta.


What are brain-


waves? Te brain uses electromagnetic energy to function, forming waves that can be measured in an EEG (electroencephalogram), and expressed in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz). Tere are four main ranges of brainwaves:


ing or conversing. Alpha waves, 7 to 12 Hz, are


present when you’re in a re- laxed, receptive state, during light meditation or hypnosis, or whenever you close your eyes. Alpha is a mildly euphor-


beta, alpha, theta, and delta. Beta waves, 13-40 Hz, are


produced when we’re awake, attentive, excited, concentrat-


ic, creative state. Teta waves, at 4 to 7 Hz, are


associated with deep medita- tion and hypnosis, daydream- ing,


in- tuition,


spiritual experi- ences,


dream- ing


while


sleeping, and high levels of creativ-


ity. Te- ta is


state the


realm of the subconscious mind. It’s known to boost im- munity and is more intensely euphoric


than alpha. Most


people experience theta waves for a few seconds before falling asleep and just before awak-


ening. Teta state is oſten de- scribed as a healing, problem- solving state. Te slowest brain waves are


delta, ranging from 0 to 4 Hz. Delta brain waves are experi- enced only during very deep, dreamless sleep; this is a heal- ing, restorative state. How do brainwaves affect our wellbe- ing? Alpha and theta brainwave states stimulate neurotransmit- ters such as serotonin, dopa- mine and endorphins in the brain. Tese neurotransmitters: regulate mood • decrease pain • improve sleep • provide feel- ings of self-esteem • increase relaxation and calm • boost the immune system & produce eu- phoria. Some ways you can change


your brainwave states for heal- ing and well-being are: medi- tation • controlled breathing - smooth, even breaths with slightly longer exhale than in- hale • neurofeedback training • connecting with nature • shar- ing hugs and cuddles & engag- ing in focused, creative activi- ties. Find what works best for you, and treat yourself to relax- ation at least once a day for best results.


Andrew Patterson is owner and operator of Teta Wave


Float Spa in Sebastopol. See ad on page 5 for more info!


Weird Facts & Fun Trivia - 4 In 1788, Thomas Jefferson was so inspired while writing about the natural beauty of his home state,


Virginia, that he just had to make up a whole new word to describe it. “The Count de Buffon believes that nature belittles her productions on this side of the Atlantic.” Boom: “Belittle” was born. But Jefferson didn’t stop there. The third U.S. President gets credit for more than 100 new words such as: lengthily, monotonously, and


(randomly enough) pedicure.


The first recorded use of the word “squatter” was in a 1788 letter from Madison to George Washington, discussing homeless Maine residents that lived on other people’s property.


“Puns are the highest form of literature.”


Alfred Hitchcock


10 • March 2016 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC.


“Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens” ~ Jimi Hendrix


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