Meditation and Mindfulness Exercises Are Great for your Health

BRAIN WAVES AND GUIDED IMAGERY/MEDITATION

Electrical activity emanating from the brain is displayed in the form of brainwaves. There are four categories of brainwaves, ranging from the most brain activity to the least activity. The brainwave categories are BETA, ALPHA, THETA, and DELTA.

The BETA state is the brain wave frequency that we are experiencing when we are conscious. This is where we are alert, make decisions, make choices, learn, and process information. Usually we are in the Beta Brain wave state most of the day when we are awake. This is the brainwave showing the most engaged or active mind.

As we approach bedtime we begin to relax, and if we are not medicating with alcohol or certain drugs, we begin to slip into the ALPHA Brain wave state. Usually we are in the Alpha brain wave state the last 45 minutes before we go to sleep and the first 45 minutes after awakening. This is also the brainwave of relaxation and reflection during awakened times. Alpha brainwave function is associated with being in a peaceful state, like when walking in the garden or along the beach. During a guided imagery or meditation we start relaxing and allow the brain to slowly leave the Beta brain wave state. The Alpha brainwave state is the state of mind in which you are very suggestible. That is why this is the state we reach when in prayer, meditation, guided imagery, or daydreaming.

An even less active state of the mind is when we are experiencing the THETA brainwave state. This is the frequency often associated with the beginning of sleep and REM sleep (dream sleep). As we go to bed and turn off the lights, we slowly slip from Beta, to Alpha, and into Theta brainwave activity. Some researchers have found that we can have insights in our Theta state from dreams that we have. These insights can help us in our day to day life if interpreted and used appropriately.

As we slip deeper into sleep, we slip into DELTA brainwaves. The deeper we go into Delta brainwaves the deeper the sleep is and the fewer dreams that we experience. We cycle through all of these brainwaves as we sleep, often every 90 minutes.

The goal of doing a Guided Imagery is to get into the highly suggestible and very relaxed state of the Alpha brainwave frequency. This is where we can use the creative parts of our mind to visualize peace, joy, healing, and anything else that we desire.

                                                    APPS

http://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/top-meditation-iphone-android-apps “The best meditation apps of 2016.”
http://www.mindful.org/free-mindfulness-apps-worthy-of-your-attention/ “Free Mindfulness Apps worthy of your attention.”
http://www.gearbrain.com/vr-apps-virtual-reality-meditation-yoga-mobile-headset-1873315555.html
“7 best VR meditation apps for mobile-based headsets.”
https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app “Headspace app.”
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.getsomeheadspace.android&hl=en “Headspace-meditation.”
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bmt&hl=en “Buddhist Meditation Trainer.”
http://www.wired.com/2016/04/meditation-apps-iphone-android/ “Great meditation apps that’ll help keep it together.”
http://www.vogue.com/13276498/best-meditation-apps-mindfulness/ “7 meditation apps to try now.”
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/12-iphone-apps-for-meditation.html “12 iPhone apps for meditation.”
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-meditation-apps/ “A beginner’s guide to mindfulness meditation, and the best apps for learning.”

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