The Power of Affirmations

It sounds absurd when someone says a few words can transform you and your life. When I first heard about affirmations a few years ago, I had only one thought- How can a few words change me? When I searched up on google and listened to a couple of TEDx videos, I realized one thing, something which not all of them used to share- Affirmations only work with gut intention and the right kind of action in track. When you say you are attracting positive energy and cleansing out your body, your actions and true intention must support it, as in parallelly you must be doing the same kind of work that aligns with your affirmation and say it with the ‘feeling’.

Most often we’re told to recite or practice affirmations as soon you wake up or right before you sleep. This is because our brain produces 4-5 types of brain waves- Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta and Gamma. These brain waves are like your electrical impulses of the brain. Everything including our feelings,emotions,thoughts etc all of them are transmitted and communicated through these neurons that we have in our brain. These brain waves are produced by neurons when synchronization of mass signals of electrical impulses occurs. Just like any other waves, our brain waves are also measured using the mode of quantity- Hertz (Hz). They are measured in time and quantity- per second. And similarly, these brain waves have different frequencies.

The ascending order of these brain waves are as follows: Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta and Gamma.

Delta waves (1-3 Hz) are of the slowest and highest amplitude. They are the slowest brain waves recorded in humans. They usually are present when a person is in the state of healing, deep sleep or relaxation. These brain waves can be detected by EEC- Electroencephalography. It has association with the NREM- Non Rapid Eye Movement stage of sleep. However, recent findings have put forward that the Hz are of 0.5- 2 Hz. Delta waves have also been classified as per the location of the activity into- Frontal Lobe (FIRDA), Temporal Lobe (TIRDA) and Occipital (OIRDA) activity.

Theta waves (4-7 Hz) are those that represent a euphoric, twilight state where it's dreamy. The brain is at a very relaxed state and at very slow levels. This is between when you wake up and sleep. Often affirmations are supposed to be practiced before sleeping and after waking up as our brain produces Theta waves and we’re in that state. This Theta state is almost as similar as your first seven years of your life. That is when you form beliefs, perceptions and your core attributes that shape you as a person and your personality that carry forward throughout the rest of your life. Thus this time period- right before falling asleep and as soon as you wake up, it's as powerful as your first years of your life as you have the inevitable power to rewire your brain and form new beliefs and values that could possibly take you through another complete path of life.

Alpha waves (8-12 Hz) are brain waves that are slower but also larger. These are detected by EEG and MEG- Magnetoencephalography and can be quantified using the qEEG- Quantitative Electroencephalography. They lower stress ,anxiety, depression and increase our creative skills. This is associated with the state of wakeful relaxation. The stage 1 of sleep is associated with the production of Alpha waves with a low frequency in the initial stages. These fall around the midbrain spectrum. In simple words, it's as if you're focusing on something but you’re not stressing you’re doing it calmly and in a relaxed state.

Beta waves (13-38 Hz) are rapid and smaller. This is associated with the state of focus and concentration. It occurs when you’re in a conscious state and are fully in alert mode. Beta waves involve active thinking, logical thinking and critical analysis. However wrong beta waves can also occur meaning when you want to focus on something but you feel tired and worked out. It involved hyper mode or hyperactivity. The more beta waves your brain produces, the more excitable your cortex gets. Hence there are also few methods to calm down and reduce Beta waves- Meditation.

Gamma waves (39-42 Hz) are the most rapid and fastest waves in your brain. It is capable of high cognitive tasks that include- memory and cognition. Recent studies have found out new discoveries within this wave- The more Gamma waves your brain produces, higher the chances of improving and increasing your neural memory. It is associated with complex cognitive tasks such as: problem solving, critical abilities, attention and focus etc. However these also can lead to hyperactivity issues such as: anxiety, high arousal and stress. The opposite can also lead to ADHD, Learning disability etc.

Hence, that is why we’re advised to practice affirmation before sleeping and after waking up.

Here are some affirmations to practice:

• I am in charge of my own happiness

• I am grateful for every day

• I accept 100% responsibility for my own life

• I am strong

• I am getting better and better every day