February 23, 2019Erin Nicole
Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Mu. What the what?! These are different wave frequencies the brain functions in varying levels of consciousness. It was once believed there were only 2 frequencies: awake and asleep. Now we know about the different frequencies. Our environment and our reaction to the environment can allow us to transfer to different frequencies and we can measure these changes by using EEG (Electroencephelagraph) technologies.
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(Human brain image, obviously not real color but how cool would that be?!)
Delta Brain Waves
Delta brain waves are associated with deep sleep. Having the right amount of delta waves helps your body regulate cardiovascular processes and digestive systems. Having too high of delta levels can equate to things like: brain injuries, learning difficulties, or ADHD. Too low of levels of delta can equate to things like: inability to rejuvenate the body and poor sleep.
Meditation was tested compared to relaxing activity for both expert meditators as well as novice in a study published in March of 2010 from The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The researchers from this study found minimal delta brain wave activities activated during meditation in both novice and experts as well as the group that was performing relaxing activities. The lack of delta brain waves activated during relaxing times and meditation demonstrates a different activation is required for sleep verses meditation/relaxation.
So what are some practical applications we can use to transform our focus, fitness, family and finances using what we’ve learned about delta brain waves? Make sure you’re getting restful, uninterrupted sleep (hours depend on your age but for most adults 7-8 hours is optimal). If you’re not able to get those kinds of hours on a regular basis, this can begin to negatively effect your focus during your waking hours. This is why the caffeine/5-hour energy industry is grossing combined amounts of around $20 billion (coffee) and around $200 million annually (5 Hour Energy in USA alone).
Use some of these tips to improve your delta brain wave activity which in turn will positively impact your focus, fitness capacity, relationships with your family and others you care about, and improve your capacity to make money by being more focused during waking hours.
Theta Brain Waves
Theta brain waves are known as suggestible waves because people are more open to suggestion during this level of relaxation or hypnosis. It can be beneficial during times when one needs more creativity. However, too long in this state can create bouts of depression because it is strongly related to raw emotion. Theta waves are often strongest during times when activities are automatic (shaving your legs in the shower, driving to work on the same route, etc).
Ned Hermann, former General Electric management, wrote ways to increase Theta waves in this article. One of the ways that really struck me was because it is something that I do! I love running outside. One way to increase creative ideas by tapping into your Theta frequency is to run long outside if you enjoy it. Particularly, I would add, run without any extraneous noise like music or audio book if you’re specifically wanting to have some creative think time. There is power in the silent times. For more info on silence, checkout my previous blog about it.
So what are some practical ways we can increase our Theta brain wave frequencies to optimal levels for our focus, fitness, family, and finances? Allow for daily times when you are doing automatic activities in the silence. Some of the best ideas come from these moments in the shower or morning meditation.
If you’re feeling especially emotional one day, be aware of your thought patterns, and if it gets to be too much emotion for you where you’re thinking unhealthy thoughts, do something to get yourself into a good mood (i.e. listen to your favorite upbeat music, call a friend or family member that loves you, think about something you’re grateful for).
I’m about to be real raw with y’all because that’s me! Yes I said y’all. I moved to Nashville and have fully acclimated to the lingo down here. HA! Not too long ago, I was laid off unexpectedly, going through a pretty nasty divorce with no income or savings because our joint account disappeared.
Yikes right?
I was applying for jobs, but was having a difficult time finding a teaching job in my health and fitness specialty. I came across a book that completely transformed my life. Actually, it wasn’t the book per say but the author’s Facebook group: The Miracle Morning Community. I joined this community and was introduced to a webinar by a good friend of the author of The Miracle Morning.
His name is Chad and he led this free webinar how to go from an idea to a self-published book in 90 days or less. I watched his webinar though I had no intentions of writing a book. After the webinar completed, I was so inspired, I said to myself, why can’t I write a book?
The next morning I went on a run in the silence (as I had been practicing since I read The Miracle Morning). Then all of a sudden it hit me! I had been writing affirmations for quite some time and posting them on my personal Instagram page @ErinNicole626. Why not write a book using the affirmations that I wrote to help me keep a positive attitude during my nasty divorce and unemployment?
I began thinking of ways to tie in short stories from my life using the affirmations I had written during that difficult time to organize the book. It took me a little longer than 90 days to complete the book, more like a year as I was doing it while also looking for work, getting hired to run a gym and sales department a couple months later, and then transitioned into working at a psychiatric hospital when the hours of the gym position were not conducive to a healthy work/life balance.
To be exact, I released the first version of my book, Whole Life Affirmations, on Amazon with the $17 book cover I paid for on FIVERR three days after the death of my father in 2016. I needed some joy in my life during that time. I’m happy to share I got to read some of the book to my father from his hospital bed. I wasn’t clear on the image I wanted on the cover, and after having the book available on Amazon for a year, I saved up and hired a gal from Ukraine to upgrade my book cover for a few hundred dollars.
I was a lot clearer on the image I wanted on the front and feel a lot prouder of this version (which includes bonus materials and in my opinion a cooler font). I also added this as a digital download on my website for those who’d rather read from their phone or tablet. It’s on sale just like all my other products and services until the end of February in celebration of my official Move HappyTM Trademark in Commerce was approved! What a long process!
Get it here if you haven’t read it yet and I’d love if you’d share in the comments or message me how my stories have impacted you.
(Official upgraded version of my book cover)
I definitely recommend spending times in the quiet to increase your theta brain wave frequency. Move HappyTM was a result of this, as was many of my songs I’ve written, future book ideas I have outlined, and my Masters Project: 5 songs and dances I choreographed and recorded with accompanying curriculum for awareness and education of asthma.
Project Asthma was originally geared towards 5th grade level but can be used in any grade school setting as it was peer reviewed by music teachers that also teach dance and their feedback reflected it more appropriate for middle school/high school level. I haven’t put it on the market to sell yet though I was invited to the NW Regional AAHPERD Conference to teach the leading song/dance “Be Your Own.” I love working on many projects and if there was a strong interest in it from someone, I’d be happy to discuss down the road.
For now, my focus is on expanding the Move HappyTM brand and moving people away from depression and towards their own happiness (whatever that means for them). I am available for bookings on speaking engagements, musical performing, and in the near future in person Move HappyTM Workshops for Move Happy Coaching(c) Certification opportunities. Reach out to me for inquires.
Alpha Brain Waves
Alpha Brain Wave Frequencies are associated as the bridge between our conscious thinking (beta) and our subconscious thinking (theta). They help calm you down and promote deeper levels of relaxation. Too high of alpha levels can be associated with too much daydreaming. Too low of levels can be associated with anxiety, OCD or higher stress levels. Optimal levels make you feel relaxed.
Some tips to increase your Alpha Brain Waves from the CABA Institute in the UK include: trying yoga, closing your eyes and practicing visualization, learning to meditate, taking a hot bath, or breathing deeply. For more info and tips from them check out their blog here.
(What you focus on becomes your reality right?)
Beta Brain Waves
Beta Brain Wave Frequencies are associated with times when we are awake. Highest beta frequency times are found during times of, calculations, reading, speaking, or thinking. Too high levels can be associated with anxiety and high adrenaline levels. Too low of beta frequency levels can be associated with depression, lack of attention and poor cognitive ability.
I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t want to feel anxious all the time like I used to as a kid. I also don’t want to have cognitive issues because of a lack of focus during times when I need it most.
What are some practical ways we can perform our best during awake hours by getting our Beta Brain Wave Frequency to be optimal? Do activities that require your focus and attention. I know it sounds silly, but find something you enjoy doing that challenges your mind.
When I was in school, I was in choir and band in junior high and then in high school I was in an elite show choir after high school and a larger choir during one of my school classes. I spent two hours everyday reading music, practicing sight-reading (a technique used to improve your reading of music by putting new pieces in front of you and trying your best). I enjoy music so this was fun for me and also kept my attention during high school because my skill level was constantly being challenged by my choir director, Mr. Crouse (we called him Mr. C.).
When I started college at Pacific Lutheran University, my first semester in choir involved about 8 or 9 songs. Two or three of which were pieces I had already learned in high school. My beta waves were being activated on a regular basis in high school and then not so much that first year in college. However, the second year, I auditioned for the top choir, The Choir of The West, with Director and Professor Lehmann. She not only used challenging music appropriate for college level, she knew of the benefits of body movement and incorporated some of that in our performances! Sadly, she had to leave the school for medical purposes and I fizzled out of the choir scene shortly after that.
However, it didn’t stop me from using the skills I had learned in both choir and that show choir from high school to later develop Project Asthma as my graduate program and be invited to present at a Regional conference for leaders in physical activity, recreation, dance and physical educators (Now called SHAPE America). Practice regular activities that require you to focus your attention on something challenging!
(Actual song from Project Asthma, 2012).
Gamma Brain Waves
Gamma Brain Waves are associated with more complex tasks. They are often higher when learning new information and important for healthy cognitive function. Gamma waves are relatively newer research. Gamma levels have been found to be lower in people with mental disabilities. Research recently found that meditation can increase gamma levels in this same population and should be encouraged for people working with individuals with mental disabilities. In my personal opinion, I think we all have varying levels of mental ability and different times of stress as life can throw curveballs. So why don’t we all practice meditation to improve our gamma brain wave frequency?
Too high of levels of gamma can be associated with anxiety and stress. While too low levels of gamma can be associated with depression, ADHD, and learning issues. Optimal levels of gamma help with information processing, cognition, learning, and the binding of senses. For more info on gamma check out this article.
Now I’m actually thinking that my Project Asthma might have had higher levels of Gamma at times than Beta because I was doing complex tasks that I’d never performed before. I knew I should have had an EEG strapped to me during that year! Ah well.
Regardless, let’s discuss some practical tips on how to increase gamma brain waves to improve your focus, fitness, family, and finances. Check out this article for 7 practical tips to increase your Gamma brain waves. Here are a couple ways:
1. Learn a new language (you don’t have to pay a fortune for Rosetta Stone or hiring a personal tutor, download the free app Duolingo). I’m working on Spanish, French, German, and Polish in simple fun lessons. Learning multiple languages can increase your opportunity to make money (ask any interpreter).
2. Meditate – wow like this whole blog talks about! If you haven’t tried it yet and don’t know where to start, I provide step-by-step instruction in my Elite VIP Leadership Course. The first round has already begun so sign up for the waitlist here.
3. Take a trip down memory lane
(My Aussie Friend, Deborah Heisz, CEO of Live HappyTM, and Me! I hosted a happy wall at the psychiatric hospital and actually organized the entire happy event which was a huge thing because it was the first time the event was ever hosted at a psychiatric hospital. I didn’t know at the time it was a big deal, but when I asked her to take a selfie at the breakfast she provided for all of us Happy Wall hosts, she said “Hey aren’t you the gal that hosted it at the psych hospital?”)
The team of my colleagues really helped to put the entire thing together smoothly, and my mom and aunt were the musical entertainment for the patients. I really loved it because it helped solidify my life purpose which is: bringing people together, building community and making people feel good about who they are right now. I had never organized an event before and my supervisor, Sue was SUPER supportive and let me take the lead.
Sadly, I had to leave the hospital when my promotion was taken away by state budget cuts and I couldn’t afford to continue working there. Regardless, this was one of the most meaningful moments in my adult life being able to meet the person who created the movement of being intentional with our kindness (Life Happy and the HappyActs.org donated to our local Big Brothers and Big Sisters community from the card count we had of patients writing intentional acts of kindness they were planning to do at the hospital).
Mu Brain Waves
Mu Brain Wave Frequencies are associated with moments you are visualizing moving your body. This is SO fascinating. I was reading this spectacular article about this. Just as different parts of the brain control opposite sides of the body, so too do those sides of the brain become activated during times when you visualize body part movements (i.e. if you visualize your right arm doing a right handed tennis swing, this will activate mu brain wave activity in the left part of your brain)!
Try it out yourself! Not to mention, using your imagination is absolutely free! Check out the article I read about it for more info here.
So what are some practical tips on using Mu brain wave frequency to improve your focus, fitness, family and finances? Practice visualizing your movement before important events daily. If you are a professional business person who uses Power Point Presentations or does a lot of public speaking, visualize how you are standing and where you want to move your body during your presentation. How do you want your arms to move to present yourself as confident and keep their attention? People will pay you more if you move with intention and engage your audience more. Les Brown said he made over $100,000 in one speech! Go listen to him on YouTube or his website.
If you are a teacher, visualize yourself walking around your classroom to engage every single student to not only keep their attention, but to help make them feel welcome in your classroom. What does your body move like for this?
If you are a group therapist or group facilitator, imagine how your body is moving either while sitting in a circular setting or standing moving about the space to engage optimal levels of participation and attention from your group members.
If you are wanting to improve on your yoga pose or you are in martial arts and want to improve, imagine the specific skill you are working on. Imagine your body in the position using every muscle needed perfectly. Imagine what that feels like in those muscles. Practice this daily before attempting to perform the skill and watch your performance improve tremendously!
(My niece Violet visualizes before attempting her handstands. She’s been working on it for about a week now. I think kids can access the Mu Wave easier than adults. At least I keep telling myself that haha!)
Wow that was a lot of information! We broke down the 5 main brain wave frequencies and a new up coming frequency Mu Wave. We discussed their benefits, the drawbacks of too much of them, and how to improve them for optimal focus, fitness, family life and finances.
Now it’s up to you to take one or all of the tips and start using them in your life. I’d love to hear how any of the tips have helped you and how you’re planning on using the information I shared to positively impact your life in some way. Feel free to share your thoughts below. To stay connected to what’s happening with the Move HappyTM Movement, connect with me on all social channels. For a free digital download of my Move Happy Participant Journal(c) (normally $19.99) go here. My coaching services is closed for the remainder of February until Mid March. If you’d like to get on the waitlist, my fee is $75/hr for the remaining time in February then it goes up starting March 1 as my one on one time is decreasing. Lock in your rates now by Email me and I’ll invoice you.
As always, don’t forget to tell someone you love them today….
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