Tell me, would you like to become more efficient: think faster, absorb information, remember everything? Sounds tempting, doesn't it? If this is of interest to you, then it will not be superfluous to learn about such a thing as the alpha state. This is not a fictitious innovation for making money or another fraudulent scheme. Everything is completely scientific, legal, free and, most importantly, effective. From this post you will learn all about these waves on which the brain "works". We will tell you how to enter the alpha state, and most importantly, why you might need it.
Who and why discovered the alpha state of the brain?
Wish fulfillment, phenomenal memory, quick recovery after work - it's like the plot of the movie "Fields of Darkness" if you watched it. If not, then the main line of the picture lies in the fact that the main character drinks a magic pill that allows you to use the capabilities of the brain one hundred percent. Of course, there is no free cheese, and soon the hero is faced with a bunch of side effects. This, of course, only happens in the movie. But what if it is possible to actually expand the possibilities of using the brain? What if you could become more efficient in all areas of life through a new waythinking that is easy to learn?
It is the state of alpha (brain) that will allow you to do all this. As usual, inventors create and discover something new quite by accident. And this state of mind is no exception. However, he was not introduced to the world by a neurosurgeon or a world-famous medical luminary. The alpha state was discovered and described by a radio engineer named José Silva.
When his offspring were studying at school, Jose faced a problem familiar to every parent: children are not assiduous, they do not learn some subjects as successfully as they would like, the grades are not encouraging. In parallel with this, José investigated electrical impulses and the frequencies at which the brain works, and decided to test some of his guesses. His research turned into a discovery that, with a little practice, can change your life.
Brain states
So, our brain can be in several states, called alpha, beta, delta and theta. They are very easy to describe in real life conditions, as they differ in activity levels. Is Jose Silva's research not enough for you? The encephalogram of the brain, when they learned to do it over time, proved the absolute accuracy and reliability of the discovery of radio engineering.
The brain is constantly in a state of work, activity is measured in Hertz. The alpha state is characterized by indicators from eight to twelve Hz.
Alpha, Beta, Theta and Delta
When we are awake, doing our daily tasks and doing our normal activities,the brain is in a state of beta. When we sleep, the brain is in delta and theta states. These activity levels differ depending on the stage of sleep. And finally, the alpha state. This level of activity is typical for the brain when it is in a borderline state, that is, between sleep and wakefulness. Remember that feeling when you are already falling asleep, but you are aware of it and are able to perceive reality? The body is completely relaxed, no thoughts remain in the head, and we are almost asleep, but not completely yet.
For whom the alpha state is natural
Interestingly, children up to 5-6 years old are almost always in this state. Therefore, they can enthusiastically engage in one thing (for example, completely withdraw into themselves, having fun with a toy), concentrating only on this activity. After school begins, where everyone should be the same in everything, children gradually move from a constant state of alpha to beta.
Try to remember yourself as a preschooler. It is very likely that when you were little you could see elves, fairies, gnomes or brownies. Now all these memories seem funny and childish to you. But do not try to compare yourself today with a child whose brain works differently, and the perception of the world is totally different from how adults see it. Who knows what an adult will be able to see if his brain is relaxed and at the same time focused on the perception of the world.
When we are in alpha state
Everyone experiences an alpha state on a daily basis, but, as a rule,It doesn't last long - just a few minutes. It is unlikely that someone will by itself have a desire to hold this state longer, to study oneself in it. And in vain! It is in the alpha state that we can use the abilities of the brain much more widely than in the beta state we are used to. Next, we will explain what a conscious transition is. The alpha state can be invoked on purpose, but what is it for?
A little about SPA treatments
You will be surprised, but the owners of beauty salons have long learned to use this state of the brain for the benefit of the prosperity of their business. So, let's describe the easiest way to enter the alpha state. You have probably noticed that after visiting beauty salons, you seem to come to life, the skin begins to glow from the inside, and the eyes fill with brilliance. It's not about expensive miraculous creams, masks and balms. When we are given a massage, all kinds of wraps, rubbing and other such pleasant procedures, we relax and automatically fall into the alpha state. Our body is capable of self-regeneration and rejuvenation, but only if it works together with the brain. So if in the alpha state they wrap you with the simplest cream, the effect will be incredible. So relax and have fun!
No money for an expensive spa, but in the meantime wondering how to enter the alpha state in this way? Go to a familiar hairdresser, manicurist, professional, in whose skillful hands you have no doubt. You can also ask a loved one to give you a massage. It is very likely that by relaxing, you will plunge your brain into a nap.
The state of the brain duringmeditation time
Another category of people who are in the alpha state, not only at bedtime, are those who practice meditation. Calming the "internal dialogue" (the constant conversation that we have with ourselves in our head), freeing ourselves from thoughts, puts us into the alpha state during wakefulness. If the word "meditation" sounds boring to you, and a yogi in the lotus position immediately appears, then know that this is not the only way to learn this state. We will tell you about practical exercises for entering a relaxed state.
What is the ineffective state of beta before alpha
You may have a perfectly reasonable question about why you need to be in some other state of the brain than the one in which we are hourly while awake? After all, it is by thinking that a person can achieve something or realize his ideas. In fact, this is not entirely true.
Try a simple experiment. Write down everything you think about for half an hour. The results will surprise you: you are "chasing" the same thoughts in a circle. The entries won't be varied, because instead of letting the brain actually work, you're loading it with pseudo-activity. Our brain is an incredibly complex and completely unexplored machine. It cannot be compared to a computer, because compared to the brain, the latter is just a piece of stone in the hands of a primitive man.
This body is just hungry for real work, but since we can't givehim it, then we load the simplest thoughts like "what does a colleague think of me", "do not forget to buy oatmeal after work today" or "it's curious to watch the evening news". Having answered these questions for yourself and not finding new food for thought, you will again and again think about these "important" things, assuming that you are working hard with your brain. Meanwhile, it is entering the alpha state that really allows your brain to work, discover or invent something new.
Beta state is not natural for us. It is forced because of the rhythm of modern life, and we come to it with growing up. Meanwhile, there is no one among adults who would behave as naturally as children. We are not asking you to act like a child. On the contrary, by mastering your experience of life and learning how to use your brain rationally, you can achieve extraordinary efficiency in all areas of life.
Silva method
The book with the same name was written in the last century, but it gained the greatest popularity in this one. José Silva came up with ways that his children could use, so they are not difficult. So what could be your first entry? The alpha state of a person is characterized by the absence of thoughts, and for this we will need to “reload” the left hemisphere of the brain in order to distract it and balance work with the right. What do we have to do? Lie down comfortably, close your eyes, rolling your pupils as if you were looking at something above your head. Thus, it will be more difficult for you to fall asleep, because we are used tofalling asleep when we are not thinking about anything.
Start counting from 100 to 1, slowly but not slowly, at intervals of about half a second. What will happen? With a probability of 90% the first time you do not count to fifty and fall asleep. If you have something to do, then set an alarm for yourself. Waking up, do not try again, take a break of five to eight hours. The second time, you will most likely also fall asleep, but you will be able to count further. It is perfectly normal to fall asleep within the first five attempts. But later you can count to one and not fall asleep. You are surprised to realize that you are relaxed, you are not thinking about anything, there is an incredible lightness in your head. Now you can solve any problem! Think about the problem that is bothering you, and an easy and logical solution will come to your mind. Can't remember where you put the keys to the apartment? Think about it and you will see where you put them.
Performing what we want
Does the alpha state of the brain make wishes come true? Reviews indicate that in this state you can create a new reality for yourself. Since you are open to creative ideas, this is certainly true. What are you dreaming about? About meeting your soul mate, an apartment, or a promotion at work? Think about it using the alpha state of the brain. Feedback from practitioners suggests that new thoughts come about how to bring the desired closer, and pictures from the imagination come to life very soon. This is not a miracle as such. Could have been studied by no more than ten percent -it is the mechanism of its work, and not anatomy. We don't know what exactly happens when we let this organ work for real, without loading it with everyday nonsense.
From practice to action
In ten days from the start of training, you will be able to go from one hundred to one and not fall asleep at the same time. Each time, you will be able to stay in the alpha state for longer and use it more and more effectively. But you must admit that it is tedious and long to count from one hundred to one each time. Therefore, from day 11, tell yourself the following before the countdown: "Now I will count from fifty to one and enter the alpha state without falling asleep." In the meantime, don't be surprised if you fall asleep, as your subconscious mind isn't quite ready to listen to you yet. After two or three days, you will be able to enter the alpha state from a report of fifty. Reviews say that if you continue to fall asleep, then this is not a reason to return to a hundred. Just keep practicing.
When you learn how to transition from fifty, learn to transition from thirty, then ten. The result of the practice will be the ability to enter the alpha state from a count of five. Can't believe it? And you try!
What you will encounter during practice
The difficulty you will encounter at first when trying to enter the alpha state is, first of all, "falling" into sleep. Over the years of your life, you have become accustomed to the fact that the release of the brain from all thoughts inevitably leads to falling asleep. But don't worry - after a couple of weeks of daily practice, you will be able tostay awake and stay in the alpha state for as long as you want.
Another problem that causes many to retreat at the very beginning of the journey is the inability to not think about anything. This is really difficult, because we are told from childhood that when there are no thoughts in the head, it is bad. So, most likely, a person is stupid if he does not think about anything. As a result, it has become habitual for us that state when we talk to ourselves all day, from the moment when we woke up from sleep in the morning, and until the moment we fall asleep. A few minutes of random alpha state is not taken seriously by us, and we most often do not use it consciously in any way.
If you don't think, it's a problem
It happens that you lose count and get distracted again and again. Or here is another possible situation: you counted to one, but the brain is working, and you are absolutely not relaxed. Don't be scared! This does not mean that entering the alpha state is not for you. There is a little practical lesson that will allow you to control your thoughts without making any effort.
Relax and get into a comfortable sitting or lying position. Close your eyes and imagine that you are sitting in a movie theater, and in front of you (at a distance of about five meters) is a large bright screen. You sit and look at this screen (mentally, of course). Very soon, different thoughts will start to climb into my head. Do not try to run away from them, as it is impossible to win by force here. Let them in your head, projecting onto the screen. Do not try to respond to these thoughts with a reaction, but simply observethem. Without an answer on your part, if you are only an observer, thoughts will go away. Your task is to practice this for two or three days, four or five times. The result will be the ability to easily imagine the screen without having to think about anything or force yourself to do it.
Another workshop
There's another tutorial to help you get to the alpha state faster and easier, which you can move on to once you've mastered the white screen. Imagine on the screen an object that is familiar to you and does not look very complicated. For example, let it be an apple or a strawberry. Imagine the texture, the feel when touched, the smell, the taste. Imagine that you are inside a fruit. How do you feel there?
It is the white screen that will become your desktop while the brain is in the alpha state. On it, you will imagine yourself happy, famous or we althy. However, some people come to it intuitively, while others need to practice. Don't be afraid if you don't succeed right away. We are so accustomed to thinking in our usual way that the transition to a new level of thinking can seem very difficult. The most important thing is to never give up practical training.
Alpha State Fiction
Because this topic is so popular these days, a lot of fictitious information about the alpha state can be found. Let's dispel some myths.
1. "Not everyone can enter." In fact, neurosurgeons have proven that 96% of adults can easily bring their brain into this state. If you haveif it doesn’t work, then don’t rush to sin that you belong to these 4%. Practice and you will definitely succeed.
2. "There are people with an innate alpha state." Any state of the brain is not something permanent due to the structure of the work of this organ. Almost all people can enter the alpha state and eventually learn to be in it as much as possible.
3. "Many sources indicate that you need to be in the alpha state for at least 20 minutes." In fact, there are no time limits, in any way limiting the stay. Practice, and every day your time in this state of brain activity will only increase.
4. "The most effective way to enter is meditation." Alpha state is the natural state of the brain. It is believed that the easiest way to immerse a person in it is if you place it in a warm, dark room. The only drawback is that you fall asleep quickly, while meditation allows you to be consciously in it for a long time. Use practices with a white screen, visualization of objects on it and step-by-step entry into the alpha state.
