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I’d rather write than talk. Nobody interrupts! Posting monthly or less now--see below. |
My original purpose for this blog, which I started in August of 2019, was to see if I could maintain consistency, to discover what I want to write about, and to find my writing voice. In January, I started a "niche-less" blog at Wordpress.com where I've published weekly. -- Kit’s Kontemplations  . -- I'm preparing to start a Catholic blog on Wordpress.com where I'll post weekly, and another site to put the rest of my writing. I also want to spend more time reading other blogs and offering thoughtful comments, both here on WDC and elsewhere. At most, I will publish once a month at no set time in this blog starting in September of 2020. Thank you to those who have read and rated any posts on this blog. I really appreciate it. I did NOT want to write “about” me on this blog. I wanted to share my interests, discoveries and maybe a few useful insights. If anything I've written helps even one person, whether or not they respond to the post, then this blog has been successful. |
| Whether it’s how we were created, a result of our environment or a combination of the two, we’re dissatisfied and discontent with ourselves. We want to have more, to know more, to be more. Either we notice our faults or they’re brutally pointed out to us. What we’re like externally or who we are internally is rarely good enough. We want more height, more muscle, maybe more hair. We’re not thin enough, smart enough, pretty enough, or popular enough. Our family members, our peer group and media (TV, magazines or social media) shoot us with “you’re inadequate” arrows: “You’re too _____!” or “You’re not _____ enough.”. A parent may compare you to one of your siblings, saying “Why can’t you be more like _____?”, and a spouse might complain about one of your faults, saying: “Why do you have to be so much like _____? where the blank refers to one of your parents or siblings. Our inner abuser agrees with these and chimes in with: “You should be _____.”, or “You’ll never be _____ because you can’t ______.” These self-bashing statements often come from comparing ourselves to what the media says we must be like if we want affirmation or even acceptance. Our constant hope and yearning is for some kind of magic tool to repair everything in us that doesn’t “meet expectations”. Blog posts with titles promoting “life hacks” that dangle a promise of that magic tool gain traction with lightning speed. They grab and hold our attention. We don’t skim these articles; we read them. Despite a multitude of previous disappointments, we hope this concept or technique will deliver on its promises. Everything wrong with us will be fixed with little or no effort required and our lives will be completely transformed. My curiosity was peaked when a friend suggested using binaural beats to increase my creativity. While doing some research on the functions of the five speed categories of brainwaves, I found the majority of articles either described all five types or focused on alpha brainwaves. All five types of brainwaves are happening simultaneously in different degrees of intensity depending on what I’m doing or on my inner state of being. If the brain gets stuck in a “groove” where there are too many of a specific type of brainwave, we’ll experience a certain set of negative effects. On the flip side, if there are too few of any type of brainwave, we’ll experience another set of negative effects. Not having a degree in science, medicine or psychology, we’re more eager for alpha brain waves more than a beggar is for dinner at an all-you-can-eat buffet. If the benefits of alpha waves were dishes at this buffet, here’s what’s on the menu:  reduced anxiety, depression and stress, reduced blood pressure, heart rate and sweating increased oxygen and blood flow to the brain improved digestion, athletic performance, and mind-body integration increased alertness, focus, creativity, memory and cognitive function increased ability to ignore chronic pain As in everything else, balance is critical. If your meal only consists of every available dessert at the buffet, you’re going to experience some negative effects. Having too much alpha brain wave activity can cause sleep interference or disorders and a lack of focus with too much daydreaming or fantasizing. Insufficient alpha brain wave activity can result in: increased stress and anxiety insomnia obsessive/compulsive behaviourA healthy brain — one which will help us maximise our potential — will be able to move through the different brainwaves fluidly as we respond to the different tasks of the day. ... Resilience means your central nervous system has the flexibility to move up and down through the range of frequencies: becoming more concentrated when we need it to be; more alert to danger if there is a genuine threat in the environment; and more able to rapidly decompress into an energy-conserving relaxed state once that threat has passed. There are things we are likely to be doing such as closing our eyes, meditating or practicing relaxation techniques when we experience alpha brain waves but it’s not clear whether these activities actually cause an increase in alpha waves. As you consider the positive things associated with alpha waves, remember that correlation does not equal causation. This means that, although these things happen together, one may or may not cause the other. Research on how alpha waves work continues from year to year, increasing our knowledge and helping us find applications for what we learn. Apart from neurofeedback and brain wave entrainment (BWE), here is a non-exhaustive list of suggested ways to increase our alpha waves. This is useful when we’ve been operating in the high beta range for hours: praying deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, and body awareness practicing mindfulness or yoga engaging in aerobic exercise avoiding caffeine, onions, garlic and televisionStudies have shown that watching television induces low alpha waves in the human brain. Alpha waves are brainwaves between 8 to 12 HZ. and are commonly associated with relaxed meditative states as well as brain states associated with suggestibility. ... While Alpha waves achieved through meditation are beneficial (they promote relaxation and insight), too much time spent in the low Alpha wave state caused by TV can cause unfocussed daydreaming and inability to concentrate. Researchers have said that watching television is similar to staring at a blank wall for several hours. Reflection Do you find self-help articles irresistible? If so, what draws you to them so powerfully? When you hear or read something new that promises solutions to an issue you’re experiencing, how skeptical are you? Neurofeedback is expensive but binaural beats are an easily accessible way to boost your alpha brain waves. Are you likely to try them or do you have reservations?Sources Brainwaves: How They Affect our Lifestyle - Med-Sense Guaranteed Association The 5 Main Brainwaves Our brainwaves affect our moods and behaviour — How can neurofeedback help? Five Steps To Reducing Stress And Increasing Alpha Brainwaves Alpha Waves and Your Sleep Brainwaves and You What Are Alpha Brain Waves? Alpha Brain Waves: A Guide to Functions & Benefits How (and why) to boost your alpha brainwaves What is Brainwave Entrainment Understanding brain waves - Neurofeedback Alliance Understanding the Benefits of Brainwaves and Binaural Beats - The Ultimate Quick Start Guide Alpha Brain Waves Boost Creativity and Reduce Depression Extra resources Different Types of Brain Waves: Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, Gamma (This article breaks down each type of wave by specific levels and describes their effects at each level.) What are the Different types of Brainwave Entrainment? – UK What is Brainwave Entrainment & How Can it Change My Brain? |
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Yes, I know some people do that but I'm a creative writer not a journalist. Poetry sells ... but it's a money-maker for only a few. I write A LOT. Almost 180 pieces since Spring equinox. My goal is 300-400 per year. One year I went over 1,000. I need to do more editing, polishing, sharing, submitting. Writer's block? Who has time for that? I don't.