Mindfulness

Self-care

Ways to practice self-care

  • Unplug from the news and social media
  • Only access media that doesn’t affect you negatively
  • Acknowledge your needs
  • Ask for help
  • Pay it forward, and help others without over-exerting yourself
  • Reach out to friends and family
  • You have permission to cry
  • Get some fresh air
  • Designate time to “let it all out.”
  • Practice mindful eating
  • Be nice to yourself

Sites to read

Neural entrainment

According to Wikipedia, neural entrainment, also called brainwave entrainment, is defined as the following:

Brainwave entrainment, also referred to as brainwave synchronization or neural entrainment, refers to the observation that brainwaves (large-scale electrical oscillations in the brain) will naturally synchronize to the rhythm of periodic external stimuli, such as flickering lights, speech, music, or tactile stimuli.
As different conscious states can be associated with different dominant brainwave frequencies, it is hypothesized that brainwave entrainment might induce a desired state. Researchers have found, for instance, that acoustic entrainment of delta waves in slow wave sleep had the functional effect of improving memory in healthy subjects.

My uses for neural entrainment usually involve binaural beats, audio-visual stimulation (AVS), and/or rhythmic music. I learned about the concept in the ’90s when my father introduced me to a “synchro-energizer” he purchased and used himself. When turning on the device and closing my eyes, I heard a rhythmic beating and saw hypnotic patterns which looked and felt like riding a roller coaster while wearing light-up kaleidoscope goggles. A few years later, I started experimenting with the technology and found an active community devoted to the phenomenon.

Midjourney’s idea of Kasina and me

How I achieve neural entrainment

When I’m relaxing to audio-visual stimulation, I’m usually tinkering with my Mindplace Kasina, although I also own a Mindplace Proteus, which has been part of my repertoire since 2000. The latter is out of production, likely due to old technology. The Kasina is an excellent replacement device, although it does lack some of its predecessor’s features, such as manual control. Both devices have software to program sessions, and the Kasina’s has been much improved since the days of the Proteus. I still enjoy both devices, but the Kasina is now my go-to for AVS relaxation.

When I cannot wear the Ganzframes that are required for AVS, I turn to music or binaural beats instead. Recently, I started using the Monroe Institute’s Expand meditation app, which features “guided imagery” and “targeted soundwave patterns” to bring about relaxation and meditative states. They also claim to help “rediscover feelings of joy,” but I haven’t gotten to the session that does that yet.

Mindful parenting

Definition

Parenting while staying present in the moment, understanding of the child’s behavior, nonjudgemental, compassionate, accepting response.

Benefits and Practices

  • Reduced anxiety and stress in whole family
  • Help with social decision making
  • Less aggression
  • Improve parent-child communication
  • Improve satisfaction in family
  • More parental involvement with less effort
  • Active Listening
  • Nonjudgemental acceptance
  • Emotional awareness
  • Empathy
  • Self-awareness
  • Self regulation
  • Compassion
  • Respond constructively
  • Develop healthy relationships
  • Boost mental wellness

Strategies

  • Practice mindfulness personally in the present moment with the child
  • Try not to be impulsive with reactions. Acknowledge your emotions before responding.
  • Name your feelings
  • Slow deep breaths
  • Practice active listening with child and express empathy
  • Be authoritative but not authoritarian
  • Spend unstructured time together
  • Practice gratitude

See also

Mindful eating

If you don’t love it, don’t eat it, and if you love it, savor it.” — Evelyn Tribole

  • Breathe before eating
  • Listen to your body signals
  • Eat according to your hunger level
  • Eat while relaxed and focus on breathing