I often let my friends, family, and clients
know that reflexology induces a state of relaxation known as the alpha state. But what does that really mean and why do I
always let everyone know about it? Because
it’s an important part to staying and keeping healthy. It’s good for you and here’s why…. First, it’s important to understand how the
mind works at different frequency levels or brainwaves. There are four predominant brainwave states
that science uses to measure and categorize the frequency of our minds at a
given time: beta, alpha, theta, and delta.
Beta is the highest level, and delta the lowest, in terms of frequency. Beta is the state where our mind usually operates
in daily life. We are awake and have
full conscious awareness and attention to everything around us. Higher states of beta frequency, however,
typically equate to anxiety and stress.
Our conscious minds can react negatively to situations and over
think. This leads to increased cortisone
production, heart rate, and can lead to hypertension. If you experience high beta state too often
you can feel agitated and tense.
Ideally, we do not want to experience the high beta state on a regular
basis, especially if we are concerned about our health. If you are in a high stress job, under
pressure often, or have anxiety or restlessness on a daily basis it’s important
to take time to lower your brain activity for your own well-being. Alpha state is a more healthy frequency for
our conscious minds. It is a state of physical and mental relaxation. We are partially conscious and aware of what
is happening around us, however our subconscious has partial dominance as well. It is called the state of “aware relaxation”
and it has many benefits. In this alpha
state we are able to absorb information, gain clarity of thinking, decision
making and memory. Our imagination,
intuition and higher awareness are actually stimulated from being in alpha
state. Alpha waves lower cortisol levels
and increase DHEA and Melatonin, hormones that slow the aging process and
improve sleep. In all, the alpha state has its advantages. Reflexology,
massage, music, meditation, and reading are just a few ways to help us to the desired
alpha state. With reflexology therapy, a session typically gets my clients to
the alpha state within 10-15 minutes and allows them to remain in alpha state
for the remaining 40-45 minutes.  Theta state is the third frequency level. This state of mind is a deeper relaxation
state. The subconscious mind is active
and our conscious mind is turned off.
Theta state happens during dreaming sleep (REM), very deep relaxation,
and meditation. We find our creativity
and spirituality in Theta state and can have visualizations. What’s exciting is we can remember the
content that is produced in theta state if we have alpha waves to connect the
gap between theta and beta brainwaves. If we want to remember what our
subconscious is trying to tell us, we need alpha waves as the bridge to the theta. Many
of my reflexology sessions have facilitated in reaching theta state halfway
through a session. Delta state is the deepest of relaxations
and sleeps. It is a dreamless
sleep. The physical body recuperates and
repairs itself at a higher level in this state.
It is an unconscious state of mind; however some can be in a waking
delta state. This is usually seen in
advanced states of meditation. A number
of reflexology sessions reach delta state depending on the environment of the
session. Alpha, theta and delta states are where we
achieve deep relaxation. By learning the
best way to lower our minds to these three states, we can gain positive mental,
physical, and emotional well-being. And
to those of you that think the few hours a night when you sleep is enough, it
is documented that you will not be reaching your optimum level of health,
physically and emotionally that way. And
worse, it can have a negative impact on your overall health. So if you are someone that functions mostly
in high beta state and is usually stressed, anxious, and “over thinking,” it is
really beneficial to find ways or techniques to achieve alpha relaxation.
Reflexology, massage, meditation, music, yoga, and reading are just a few
suggestions and methods. It will
positively change your life for the better! Thank you for visiting Reflexology by
Katie and letting me share the benefits of reflexology with you! I hope
you enjoyed it! It is my goal that everyone who has a reflexology treatment
should leave physically and mentally relaxed and refreshed. I am pleased
to be providing reflexology therapy to Southeastern Connecticut and Rhode
Island. |
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CategoriesBenefits of ReflexologyHistory of Reflexology Reflexology for Headaches Reflexology for Sleeping |
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