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Higher stress levels occur when thought and mind are challenged. The brain exhibits four different brainwaves corresponding to the level of one's arousal.

They are Beta, Alpha, Theta, and Delta. Beta, Alpha, and Theta deal with different levels of wakefulness. Delta is divided into two types of waves that are associated with sleep. All these waves are important but being able to alternate them helps manage physical and emotional stress. Sound is an easy way to regulate them.

When the brain is actively engaged in mental activities, it generates beta waves. These beta waves are of relatively low amplitude, and are the fastest of the four different brainwaves. The frequency of beta waves ranges from 15 to 40 cycles a second. Beta waves are characteristics of a strongly engaged mind. A person in active conversation would be in beta. High levels of environmental and work pressures can accelerate brain waves to the high end of the Beta scale. People who ride noisy subways or noisy environments often exhibit mid- to high-level Beta frequencies. Being in Beta uses a high amount of energy and, over prolonged periods, biochemical releases to increased stress levels. Prolonged, consistent Beta wave levels may lead to exhaustion and breakdown.

Where beta represented arousal, alpha represents non-arousal. Alpha brainwaves are slower, and higher in amplitude. Their frequency ranges from 9 to 14 cycles per second. A person who has completed a task and sits down to rest is often in an Alpha state. A moment of rest, a pause from work, helps induce an Alpha wave. It has been found that among Yogi meditation, lower rate frequencies produce higher levels of attention to certain details that one might miss while in Beta.

Theta is normally between 5 and 8 cycles a second. A person who has taken time off from a task and begins to daydream is often in a Theta brainwave state. When people are hungry, they can doze off. Also, eating certain foods can be relaxing to the Theta level.

You'll find that ambient background music, often played at offices, adjusts to optimize alertness throughout the day.

Sound Generator Machines

Designed for home use, sound generator machines have pre-recorded (or synthesized) loops of nature sounds. You might find ocean waves, rainstorm, babbling brook, birds, and forest among a typical selection. In some cases, sound generators may also have a built-in clock radio.

These sounds can be used to stimulate Alpha waves after a rough day at work and Theta waves when you're finding it difficult to fall asleep. Consequently, if you're feeling drowsy, certain sounds can raise you to a high level Alpha state that is often helpful for promoting creativity and thoughtfulness.

Having a built-in radio, alarm clock with your sound generator may be helpful in promoting a better state of wakefulness, helping a gradual shift from Delta to Beta. As you awaken from sleep in preparation for getting up, your brainwave frequencies will increase through the different stages of brainwave activity, gradually raising from delta to theta and then to alpha and finally, when the alarm goes off, into beta. If you press the snooze alarm button, you'll drop down to low Alpha or Theta (in some cases, even Delta). During this awakening cycle it is possible for you to remain at alpha-theta for several minutes. This is often accompanied by a free flow of ideas about past events or to contemplate the activities of the new day. This can be a period of very meaningful and creative mental activity.