Your Brain
It’s like a big computer that helps you think, feel, and move. Just like a computer, your brain uses electricity to work and makes something called brain waves. These waves are electromagnetic and are measured with special devices like an EEG machine.
There are five types of brain waves: delta, theta, alpha, beta and gamma. Just like different types of music make you feel different things, different brain waves happen when you're feeling different ways and doing different things.
Theta waves happen when you are very calm or dreaming, such as when you are awake and lost in your thoughts, about to fall asleep or just before waking up. They are important for creativity, curiosity and imagination. Theta waves help your brain process and store new information and be more open to new ideas and experiences - it's like your mind is a sponge, ready to absorb everything around you. You can think of these waves like the sound of ocean waves coming in and going out or a soft and gentle breeze that blows through your mind, bringing new ideas and possibilities. Theta waves are most commonly seen in children aged 2 to 6 years old.
Alpha waves happen when you're feeling calm and relaxed, like when you're sitting quietly and taking deep breaths or watching TV shows and movies. They can help you learn new things and you may be more open to receiving suggestions or ideas. Alpha waves are also the most programmable, which means that they can be trained to change your habits or behaviours. If someone suggests something to you while you're in an alpha state, you may be more likely to believe it or act on it. This is called hypnosis. Remember that it’s important to think for yourself and not just believe everything someone tells you. Some people use techniques like positive affirmations or visualisation exercises when they are in this state to help them feel more confident or focused. Alpha waves are most commonly seen in children ages 6 to 12 years old.
Beta waves happen when you're thinking really hard or feeling excited, like when you're solving a fun puzzle or playing a sport. They are for focus, logical thought, analysis, organizational skills, and productivity, which means they can help you be alert and think quickly. They also happen when you are feeling stressed, angry or anxious. You can think of Beta waves like a group of bees buzzing really fast in your brain. When you're playing, doing schoolwork or thinking hard, the bees start buzzing faster and louder. Beta waves are most commonly seen in people aged 12 years and older.
Gamma waves are the fastest brainwaves, like a powerful engine revving up in a race car zooming around a track. Just like a powerful engine can help a car go really fast, gamma brain waves can help your brain work really quickly and efficiently. They make you feel like saying "aha!" when you figure something out or have a really cool idea. Gamma waves are also involved when you feel really happy and connected to something bigger than yourself, like during a special moment, spiritual experience and/or deep meditation. You can picture Gamma waves like fireworks going off when you have really exciting thoughts or ideas, helping you process a lot of information at once. They are most commonly seen in people aged 25 years and older.
