Healing frequencies and meditation practices can balance your physical and mental wellbeing in an age of distraction, anxiety, and insomnia. Discover how to shift your brain state for optimal living.

Though we may be in the golden age of innovation, ever evolving technologies, and scientific breakthroughs, we are also burdened by the high cost of modern-day demands on our bodies – constant connection, information overload, and the inevitable burnout that comes with cumulative stress.

As 21st century multi-tasking, multi-hyphenate beings, we are asked to switch smoothly between various tasks – to flip effortlessly from creator, to problem solver, to manager, to listener, to meditator. We are expected to be functional and hyperproductive during our day-time hours (achieved through our morning caffeinated beverage of choice) only to crash midday and suffer a night of restless, interrupted sleep. How are we to keep up the various aspects of our lives? Is there a way to optimize not only our productivity and focus, but to encourage creativity and flow, and get regenerative rest and sleep?

The answer may be simpler than you think. By making use of ancient breathing techniques and modern sound technology, we can hack our own biology – potentially shifting (brain wave) states at will.

What are brain waves?

Brainwaves are the electrical pulses in the brain. The frequency (measured in Hertz or Hz) of these waves is determined by how many times a wave repeats itself in a second. When we speak of brain wave “states” we are referring to the ranges (and categories) of these frequencies – Gamma, Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta.

Why being in the right state matters

If the appropriate brainwave pattern is activated and engaged, there is harmony. You are a more happy, functional, balanced being. Alert and bright when you should be awake, imaginative when you should be creating, sleepy when you should be nearing sleep. It doesn’t help being in a drowsy state more suited to bedtime when you’re meant to be studying, for instance. (This is often the case for those with ADD and ADHD – good state, but the wrong time and place.)

Below, we’ll be guiding you through the best habits and tools for altering your mental state to suit any purpose.

Improve your focus & concentration

Picture the last time you were so absorbed, you were on the edge of your seat. Perhaps you were listening to a podcast, watching a mind-bending mystery, or consuming the latest revelatory Ted Talk. In moments of intense focus, concentration and processing, you’re probably experiencing Gamma.

Gamma waves are beneficial as they improve memory, focus, mental clarity and lengthen attention span. This state is  ideal for that last push when completing a major project, or for solving a tricky, complex problem.

Activating Gamma (38 – 44 Hz)

• Meditation practices, such as The Pantheon Method, increase these waves over time. In one study, participants who meditated regularly had higher levels of Gamma wave activity in the brain, compared to participants who didn’t. 
• Consuming pistachios, which are nutrient dense and rich in antioxidants, can encourage Gamma waves.
• Listening to Binaural Beats, which is a sound therapy that plays two slightly different frequencies in each ear to create a third tone – a binaural beat. The thinking behind this therapy is that your brain will synchronize to the frequency you’re listening to, so you can access meditative states. You can search online for Gamma specific videos and audio, or search specifically for 40 Hz. This appears to be the magical frequency needed to enhance cognitive function, according to Nobel Prize winner Sir Francis Crick.

Enhance problem solving & learning

For most of the day, you should naturally be in Beta. Being in this state you’ll feel sharp and alert. It’s dominant when you’re problem solving, making decisions, learning, reading, and engaging in conversation, or when you are actively listening.

Beta reduces anxiety, helps us integrate new experiences, make better decisions, and it improves our ability to learn, especially when studying new languages. It has even been effective in reducing the symptoms of ADD and ADHD.

Activating Beta (12 – 38 Hz)

• You can encourage Beta states through binaural beats within the 12 to 38 Hz range for enhanced learning.
• Through neurofeedback, a technology that measures brain waves and “trains’ ‘ your brain to regulate using auditory and visual cues, you can prime your mind to be in an optimal state. The benefits of neurofeedback include better focus, mood, motor skills and memory.

Boost your mood & creativity

Alpha state is best described as relaxed, wakeful rest. When you’ve just woken up, and you’re not focused on anything in particular, that’s Alpha. It is the feeling of a drifting and unwinding mind moments after completing a task. Alpha activity improves mental coordination, mind/body integration, creativity and creative problem solving.

Activating Alpha (8 – 12 Hz)

• Breath-focused movement modalities such as yoga and qi-gong are very effective in creating this state through synchronized breathing and physical movement.
• Visualizations, breathing techniques and meditation practices like The Pantheon Method encourage Alpha waves.
• Intense exercise is a powerful way to tap into Alpha to get those creative juices flowing.
• Theanine, an amino acid taken as a supplement, can get you into an Alpha state quite quickly. Creating a relaxing, alert effect on the body within 30 minutes after ingestion.

Tap into flow state

Theta is present in Flow State – when you are lost in something like writing, painting or running, and during REM, dream-filled sleep. It’s the state between wakefulness and drowsiness, when you’re highly suggestible and can access your subconscious thoughts. You need Theta to process and retain information, for long term memory, intuition and creativity.

Activating Theta (3 – 8 Hz)

• Meditation is one of the best ways to access Theta. Experienced meditators can effortlessly enter this state, disconnect from the pressures of life, and feel closer to their true authentic selves and innate wisdom/guidance systems.
• You could try hypnosis to get into Theta for subconscious reprogramming and to improve neuroplasticity, which is basically the brain’s ability to change and reorganize itself. Hypnosis is an incredible tool to reinforce and strengthen healthier patterns of thinking and behavior.
• Neurofeedback can be used to activate Theta as well, which in turn helps soothe the nervous system, treat anxiety and depression, and promote a more creative, intuitive state.

Get deep, restorative sleep

Delta is the state of dreamless sleep, but it can also be present in deep states of meditation. It is restorative, regenerative, and helps the body to heal and recover fully. It’s also responsible for transferring information to long term memory.

Activating Delta (0.5 – 3 Hz)

• Listening to binaural beats within the Delta range as you’re falling asleep through noise canceling headphones or earbuds can be an effective method of stimulating Delta. 
• Again, neurofeedback can be an incredibly helpful method of encouraging Delta.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol as much as possible as they can reduce Delta waves, hindering a good night’s sleep and the body’s ability to recover.

Influence your state, enrich your life

So, in this golden age of innovation, you can influence your state and improve your mental wellbeing. You can reduce stress, increase focus, and deepen sleep – all it takes is a consistent meditation practice, the right binaural beats for the task at hand and some deep breaths.

Start your meditation journey with The Pantheon Method.