Stress Management and Neurofeedback
“The NF is going really, really well. I’m on session 7 or 8, and I do notice a huge difference in my adaptability and focus.” Rachel, Fort Collins, CO
(Scroll down the page to see Rachel’s video testimony)
Are you stressed out? I mean are you STRESSED OUT?! And have you known you were stressed out for a while now? Months? Maybe even years? Did you know that the chronically stressed brain looks the same as a brain with PTSD? Have you tried to reduce stress and practice mindfulness and take the appropriate supplements and get better sleep and eat right and exercise right and practice calm parenting skills and exercise your mind by reading and taking weekend getaways and…you’re still feeling the impact of stress? And now you’re stressed out about all the advice about how to manage your stress?!
The tough reality is that, as I’m sure you’re well aware, stress takes a major toll on our lives. And when stress management starts to take a toll too? The whole thing really makes you want to throw in the towel at times. I know it used to for me anyway until I finally found non-linear or Dynamical Neurofeedback® training from NeurOptimal®. You can read my story here. It’s a real page-turner. Just kidding. It’s only about one page. But still.
Neurofeedback training was the help I needed so that my stress could even become manageable. There is a point where the very real and very automatic physiological processes associated with stress take on a life of their own. No matter how many stress management techniques and strategies a person uses, it can be an an up hill and hopeless climb without the right help. Without the kind of help that can see the forest in spite of all the trees.
How Does Neurofeedback Help with Stress Management?
“Now, since neurofeedback, my thoughts don’t go as catastrophic. It used to be worst-case-scenario when something stressful would happen at work or at home. Now I can truly consider and evaluate all of my options when faced with a challenge.” Daisy, Roswell, GA
The brain has an incredible, inherent ability to self-correct. Neurofeedback training is designed to give the brain the information it needs to make its own adjustments. By detecting and monitoring changes in the electrical patterns emanating from the scalp, neurofeedback training allows the brain — and you — to grow more resilient and flexible.
Clients feel more rested, calmer, and clearer after their initial sessions. While the results are long lasting, it is best to think of brain training as very similar to physical training. You don’t go to the gym 10 times, then never go again, and expect to maintain the same level of fitness. You will have the best results with neurofeedback by understanding it is important to keep your training up. But also by continuing your other stress management strategies like yoga, psychotherapy, eating good food, or cardiovascular exercise…or maybe go to the movies every once in a while…something fun. Neurofeedback training is best thought of as an important tool to integrate into your ongoing work towards wellness.
Maybe you’re about ready to start your brain training experience but still have a few questions.
Is neurofeedback training safe?
Neurofeedback using NeurOptimal® training is non-invasive, and does not have any known side effects. It is safe enough to be used with pregnant mothers, infants, and children. Nonlinear neurofeedback is natural and uses the brain’s own inherent intelligence and self-correcting impulses to work. Your brain is simply being given information that it uses to run more efficiently.
No really, what about side effects?
There are none. Really. But you may experience different things while your brain is going through the process of running better. Sometimes people feel a brief spike in anxiety or headaches. Sometimes people feel spacey, like they just had a margarita. Whatever people experience, with continued training, it all goes away in a short period of time. It’s really important to understand that NeurOptimal® neurofeedback isn’t causing these experiences. Your brain is. It’s part of its own process of cleaning up and clearing out. When I was doing my own training I experienced a spike in depression for a couple of days. My trainer helped me to not worry about the depressed feelings but rather to get curious about them. I soon realized that the feelings were important, and they helped me become aware of some issues I wasn’t facing in my life at the time. Between the awareness and the neurofeedback training, I worked through the issues better than I had in earlier times in my life.
