The importance of relaxation. Relaxation and Brain Wave Functions part 2
In the last issue we highlighted
the dangers of continuous stress. We pointed out how much the constant
chemical imbalance induced by stress can harm the body and mentioned
that it is almost impossible in our times to escape stressful situations.
So what can we do?
Our body has remarkable self-healing
potential, which you experience regularly. When you go to sleep
after a tiring day, something happens during the night, that lets
you wake up feeling noticeable refreshed and recharged. You will
agree that what you experience even before falling asleep is relaxation.
If relaxation can be linked to restorative actions of the body what
is actually happening?
Just by reading this, billions
of neurons are firing on and off in your brain. When each of these
electrical firings are detected as a whole, a "wave" effect
is observed. These cumulative electrical rhythms are referred to
as "brain waves". Brain
waves occur at different frequencies, which is the number of times
a wave repeats
itself within a second.
The natural phenomena of falling
asleep takes you from a fast brain wave activity called BETA through
to ALPHA, the beginning of relaxation, to THETA, the state of tranquillity,
creativity and very deep relaxation which reflects the state between
wakefulness and sleep and finally to DELTA, the brain-wave state
experienced in the deepest stages of sleep; a state of total unawareness,
of unconsciousness.
Therefore, if you apply techniques
to consciously lower your brain wave activity you mimic the natural
process and achieve the advantages that go with it.
Such techniques will be introduced to you in the next issue.
Compiled by: Claudia Klein - certified Hypnotherapist
