New Sound Therapy Technology Helps You Unplug and Relax

sound therapy seattle

We’ve gotten to the point where people are Instagramming pictures of their meals before touching their food and live-tweeting about their activities without actually experiencing them. It goes without saying, but we are living in an era of constant connectivity.

As a result, it’s gotten harder and harder to unplug and enjoy complete relaxation. We can’t deal with daily stress or anxiety in the proper fashion if we’re responding to texts or emails every five minutes.

With all the distractions we face with technology, the most successful ways to relax and de-stress have to be easy and effective. If we can’t put down our phone for two hours, how are we going to commit to a completely new habit or routine if it’s not super easy?

That’s why vibroacoustics is perfect for unplugging and de-stressing in our 24/7 internet world. Recently researched in colleges across the country, it is a type of non-invasive, non-chemical stress therapy that offers serious benefits in as little as 20 minutes.

So how does it work?

The sound therapy reduces stress, anxiety, and nerves by running soothing, low level sound waves through your body. Because sound is vibration, it affects all parts of your body, not just your ears. In fact, each one of your organs, bones, and cells has its own specific resonance frequency, which means that your body is quietly humming its own tunes throughout the day. When we are stressed, these frequencies can be disrupted, which can in turn affect our entire health. With vibroacoustics, low-grade vibrations are delivered throughout your body by a special chair that has built-in speakers. It’s not just a sound — it’s an actual pulsating sensation.

What are the benefits?

There are no adverse effects of vibrational therapy. Quite the opposite –vibroacoustics has been proven to significantly improve your health and mindfulness by:

  • Helping you catch those zzzs. Vibroacoustics stimulates melatonin, a natural hormone in your body that increases and deepens sleep.
  • Mending physical aches and pains. When you’re stressed, your immune system can overwork itself and become run down, making you susceptible to injury and illness. Vibroacoustic therapy gives your immune system a chance to reboot and repair injuries like muscle strains and pulls, post-surgery pains, menstrual cramps, and tightness in joints.
  • De-activating stress hormones. Stress can result in fatigue, depression, anxiety attacks, panic, and high blood pressure. Vibroacoustic sessions tone down these hormones so that you can finally relax and unwind.
  • Energizing and balancing you. You may think that “relaxed” and “energized” are opposites, but when your body is at ease, you will find that you have more energy to do the things you love. Vibroacoustics increases endorphins, which improves your mood and energy levels. In addition, the therapy moderates serotonin, a neurotransmitter that can cause unwanted emotional spikes.

Studies at the National Institute of Health have shown vibroacoustic sessions to be extremely safe and effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and fatigue. And, you can reap these benefits in just 20 minutes. Everyone, no matter how much you tweet or post on Facebook, has 20 minutes in their day to relax with this new technique.

Meditation 101: How to Start

meditation class seattle

There’s a learning curve in everything, from riding a bike to learning a new language. And the same goes with meditation. Even though it may not seem like it, everyone, including mediation masters, start off inexperienced.

Many people assume that because they don’t feel naturally spiritual, meditation is not for them. However, anyone can enjoy the soothing benefits of meditation. Like anything else, meditation takes time and diligence, and your success will be a reflection of the work you put in.

Here are some quick tips to help you get started with meditation:

  • Set a time and place. To get into the habit of regularly meditating, designate a specific time every day or every couple of days, and try to stick to that time. This will help integrate meditation into your life as simply another part of your routine. In addition, try to do your meditation in one quiet, peaceful room so that you create a calming atmosphere for yourself in the future.
  • Relax your senses. Pick up some candles, incense, or other soothing spiritual tokens to help relax your senses and clear your mind. You can also use a candle as a focus point if you’re having trouble emptying your mind.
  • Work through the frustration. It’s common for beginning meditators to feel like their mind is loud and full of unwanted thoughts. When this happens, don’t be discouraged! It’s normal to doubt yourself. Simply focus on your breathing or one neutral point, and let your frustration roll off of you.
  • Rise and shine. Your mind is usually most clear and least full in the mornings. So if you are able, try to get your meditation done first thing after you wake up.

With these ideas in mind, sit comfortably and begin to meditate:

  1. Find your calm, tranquil place and get into a position that is comfortable for you. Try experimenting with sitting, kneeling, or lying down.
  1. Close your eyes and breathe naturally. Don’t make an effort to slow or quicken your breathing; just let your lungs fill and compress.
  1. If you’re having trouble clearing your mind, always bring your focus back to a focal point, like your breathing or a candle.
  1. Start small and work your way up. Meditate for as long as you feel you need to. We recommend starting with a five-minute mediation and adding five minutes every week, until you are mediating for forty-five to fifty minutes each time.

As you begin to meditate, remember that you may not see results right away. Mediation requires regular practice and attention, so resist the urge to overanalyze your life to try and identify the effects of meditation. It won’t happen instantly, but the long-term benefits of this practice are completely worth the effort. Slowly but surely, meditation reduces stress and increases empathy, and helps us understand what we value and who we are.

 

Photo credit: aimleadership.com