Brain Booth at Georgia Southern University Libraries

This biofeedback machine is a resilience training device that measures your coherence levels and heart rate variability (HRV). Coherence directly impacts how you physiologically react to and reduce stress. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) biofeedback machines are designed to be used over time. You can work to train your body's stress response, as well as work to increase your heart rate variability from your lowest to highest heart rate.  

Benefits

• You can learn to increase your heart rate variability (HRV) and by doing this, you can achieve coherence more predictably. Imagine coherence as a curve. You want to have a smooth curve from your lowest and highest heart rate.

• Baroreflex and respiratory sinus arrhythmia are two processes that vary our heart rate. Low HRV makes for a healthier, more resilient heart. A more sensitive baroreflex allows us to recover from blood pressure changes, which changes with stress and exercise.
• Biofeedback has been shown to improve HRV over time, and that anxiety, pain, and depression can be affected by improved HRV.
• The vagus nerve is central to our parasympathetic nervous system. HRV is a measure of vagal tone. Because of the link to the vagus nerve, high HRV is linked to better working memory, higher focused attention, and better regulation of emotions and facial expressions 
• Research & Evidence examples
  • An entire chapter (Chapter 11, Going Electric) of the book Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind over Body, is devoted to exploring HRV and biofeedback. You can check out Cure from the Library, and please note that the references noted below are taken from this chapter. 
  • Thayer, J.F. & Lane, R.D. Biological Pscyhology 2007; 74: 224-242
  • Lin, G. et al. Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 2012; 18: 143-152
  • Del Pozo, J.M. et al. American Heart Journal 2004; 147: E11
  • Gevirtz, R. Biofeedback 2013; 41: 110-120
  • Park, G. & Thayer, J.F. Frontiers in Psychology 2014; 5: 278
  • Porges, S.W. Biological Psychology 2007; 74: 116-143
• Portable biofeedback units are available at the Biofeedback Station during drop-in hours. Outside of drop-in hours, they are available from the Checkout Desk on the 2nd floor of Henderson Library or the 1st floor at Lane Library.

• Sound machines
• Adult coloring pages
• Origami
• Gratitude-Express

The Gratitude Log is a very popular contemplation activity.

We might know how important it is to express thanks to the people who help us. What we might not be aware of is that practicing gratitude can improve our overall well-being. Recent scholarly studies show that:

Gratitude supports healthier lifestyle and spreads happiness. We can practice paying attention to what we feel thankful for. The daily little things, the daily little moments, they might not be so little. Gratitude transcends toxic emotions.

Practicing thankfulness helps us embrace change. It is easy to notice bad things. We should train our brains to notice the good things, too. If we do this daily, we can become more flexible and accepting.

Keeping gratitude logs enhances well-being. Simply taking a minute to write down what we are grateful for three times a week can boost our happiness. 

A Simple Mindful Gratitude Exercise:
Stop by the GS Libraries Brain Booth on the 2nd floor at Henderson Library or the 1st floor at Lane Library. Take a moment to pause and reflect on something you are grateful for and write or draw it on the Gratitude Log. 

Practice Gratitude – it is good for us, it is good for our relationships, and it is good for humanity!

Reserve a massage chair at the Brain Booth:

Henderson Library

Lane Library

Please note: in order to accommodate as many people as possible, reservations are limited  to 15 minute sessions.  You may request two sessions per day but they must be at least 5 hours apart.

Light Therapy

Light therapy is designed to mimic the effect of the sun when time spent indoors and/or climate reduce your ability to receive enough natural, outdoor sunlight. 

Light therapy lamps (aka Seasonal Affective Disorder lamps)

Outside of drop-in hours, they are available from the Checkout Desk on the 2nd floor of Henderson Library or the 1st floor at Lane Library.

Benefits

• Conditions such as “winter blues” and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can affect people with symptoms such as loss of energy or depressive thoughts. Dedicated time spent in front of a full spectrum light that simulates sunshine has been shown to improve mood and energy level.
• Full spectrum lighting as a supplement to natural, outdoor lighting has also been studied for its benefits to people who may suffer fatigue due to travel and “jet lag,” insomnia, shift work, and office workers without access to natural lighting.

• Board games

• Motivation Cards 

Immerse yourself in an alternate reality using your iOS or Android smartphone.

Benefits: Purposeful and immersive distraction in virtual reality environments can support lessening of pain and anxiety.[1]
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[1] Popular Reading: http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/01/26/464372009/how-meditation-placebos-and-virtual-reality-help-power-mind-over-body

Outside of drop-in hours, the VR Headsets are available from the Checkout Desk on the 2nd floor of Henderson Library or the 1st floor at Lane Library.

Exerpeutic Pedal Study Desks are provided by the Library Brain Booth to encourage movement during otherwise sedentary activities, such as studying and writing. 

Before pedaling, please read these important cautions:

Please take extra care when getting on and off the bike. Extreme movements CAN TIP THE MACHINE.

Maximum user weight is 300 lbs, minimum user height is 4’10”.

Do not stand while pedaling.

If you’re sweating, you’re going too fast or using too much tension. Biking activity should not be strenuous.

Items and loose clothing can get caught in moving pedals

You assume any risks associated with use of this exercise equipment. If you have a health concern of any kind, you should consult your physician or other health care professional before

Pedal Power: Research conducted with university students using FitDesks concluded that “positive affect, motivation, and morale improved when using the stationary bicycle.” (Read the full article! DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00957) More scholarly research readings on movement are available at the Recommended Readings tab of the Brain Booth LibGuide.

GS Faculty:  you can arrange a visit for your class to the Brain Booth during your regular class time!  Please contact Katia Karadjova (kkaradjova@georgiasouthern.edu) or Ruth Baker (rbaker@georgiasouthern.edu)  to arrange a visit!