Alpha Waves

Dear Patient,

People often tell me they feel more clear-headed and calm after an acupuncture treatment. It's such a respite from the constant stimulation of daily life.

This peaceful state of being is the result of the body generating some chill alpha brain waves. Alpha waves are like your brain’s resting heart rate, produced when you’re awake and alert but not engaged in anything cognitively demanding.

Alpha is the zoning-out, drifting-mind state. It doesn’t feel terribly productive, which is in fact the beauty of the alpha state. It allows the mind to travel without an itinerary. There's no end goal. Interesting things happen. This is why creativity tends to strike when you’re doing something random like showering or washing the dishes.

When we find ourselves engaged in something aimless, it can feel foreign and uncomfortable. We whip out the phone for an immediate escape back into distraction. We might instead try to welcome the intermission in an overstimulated life. Boredom can be your friend. Get some alpha waves going and see where it takes you.

Love and gratitude,

Your Acupuncturist