Reflexology and the Alpha State of Relaxation
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.