How to Control Brain Waves

Brainwaves are a reading of the electrical activity between neurons in the brain at any given time. Much can be learned by monitoring brainwaves, which are affected by emotional reaction to stimuli and other stressing and relaxing influences. Brain disturbances, such as epilepsy, also result in frenetically altered brainwave activity. Learning to control your brainwaves can help improve your general mood and keep you more focused and less distracted in day-to-day tasks. Controlling your brainwaves requires regular practice, commitment and discipline.

Instructions

• 1

  Listen to rhythmic sounds. A steady drum beat that is at a close enough frequency to a brainwave function will frequently cause your brainwaves to align themselves to to the same frequency as the sound you are listening to. Frequencies of 12 to 38hz can help combat depression and make you more alert while 3 to 8hz can help bring about "theta waves" that result in extreme relaxation or light sleep.

• 2

  Meditate regularly by sitting down in a relaxed position, closing your eyes enough so you can focus on a single point about five feet in front of you. Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth in slow, even breaths and silently count "1" on the inhale, "2" on the exhale and continue up to 10. Clear your mind of everything but the count and start over once you reach 10. This helps calm your brainwaves and lower their frequency.

• 3

  Visualize a scene in your mind that either relaxes or stimulates you, depending on what you need from your brainwaves at the moment. For example, picturing a sunny beach with rolling waves can help relax you and lower the frequency of your brainwaves while picturing an action scene from a film or a sporting event can increase your brainwaves and make you feel more alert.