How Brain Waves Affect Your Study Skills

You may have heard of brain waves but have you thought about how different brain waves can improve your study skills? It is obvious that your brain is in a different state from when you are sound asleep to when you are reading a book so it is logical that your brain waves affect how you absorb information. Here is a brief introduction to the different brain waves and how they can affect your concentration and study skills.

The Different Brain Waves

Brain waves are measured by electrical activity in the brain. The brain produces the most electrical activity when you are fully alert and this normal state in which you do most of your daily activities involves beta brain waves. When you are in a more relaxed state your brain creates alpha brain waves which are important for creativity and stress relief. You are even more relaxed when you experience theta brain waves. Theta brain waves create a dreamlike state that most people only experience when they are falling asleep or when they first wake up. When you are fully asleep your brain produces delta brain waves. Recent research also indicates the presence of gamma brain waves which is the fastest of the brain wave frequencies and associated with peak concentration.

How to Change Your Brain Waves

It used to be that only people who regularly meditated or practiced something like yoga were able to enter different states at will but now modern research and technology has made it easier for anyone wanting to change their brain waves. Today there are a number of audio tracks which play sounds at different frequencies to promote different brain waves. Some brain waves help you study more productively. Studies have shown that alpha brain waves help with learning by promoting relaxation and concentration. Theta brain waves also help study as they improve memory and help a person absorb information.

There are a number of audio programs which focus on delivering particular sound frequencies to the listener through stereo headphones. There are a range of different programs – some are designed to be listened to while you undertake study and others are designed to create a relaxed state before or after your study session. Also different programs are designed to tap into different brain waves and some programs include subliminal messages. Listening to one of these audio programs for four to six weeks can have a dramatic impact on your ability to study.

Being able to concentrate better and enhance your learning is a vital asset when learning new information. Finding it easy to concentrate and focus not only helps you absorb information easily, you’ll also find studying easier and are more likely to be motivated to study.