Serena Williams once said that mental toughness is like any other muscle—you need to train it to get the most from it. Building this toughness, or resilience, helps us manage our thoughts, emotions, and energy more effectively during stressful or difficult situations. In doing so, we can stay calm and composed no matter what challenges come our way.
But how do you actually train for this state of mind? Meditation, visualization, and mindfulness are some well-known methods. However, these practices aren’t always accessible to everyone.
Neurofeedback training, which is what we use at alphabeats, is the solution these people (and many more) didn’t know they’re looking for.
Some might think of it as a meditation hack. By tracking and providing real-time feedback on your brainwaves, you can quickly self-regulate and pivot back to a prime state of calm focus and improved performance: the alpha brainwave state. This exercise of moving back to the optimal alpha wave state happens instantly and automatically with neurofeedback. Through repeated training, new neural pathways are formed, and your brain begins to return to and stay more frequently in this zone.
Getting started with alphabeats:
- Set up your equipment: Put on and turn on the neurofeedback device (we provide a BrainBit headband) and open up the alphabeats app. A quiet, comfortable space is ideal for your sessions.
- Set your session: Decide whether you need a quick focus boost or a longer recovery session. Select from a variety of playlists provided by Feed.fm to match your training mood.
- Engage in the process: Let the music guide you as alphabeats provides real-time feedback to train your mind to the optimal alpha state. Take part in the interactive games to immerse more deeply into the session.
- Track Your Progress: Keep a journal of your sessions, noting any changes in your performance, sleep quality, and mental state. Adjust your routine based on what works best for you.
Sample Training Schedule:
- Morning: 8 minute session with relaxing music to start off your day.
- Afternoon: 10 minutes of focus session during skill practice.
- Evening: 12 minutes of relaxation music to unwind and prepare for restorative sleep.
By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate alphabeats into your training regimen, leveraging the power of neurofeedback and music to boost your athletic performance and mental fitness.