Which brain wave pattern indicates a person is awake but relaxing?

The brain wave pattern that indicates a person is awake but relaxing is characterized by alpha waves. Alpha waves typically range from 8 to 12 Hz and are most prominent when a person is in a state of calm alertness, such as during light meditation or when resting with the eyes closed. This state is different from more active states like those associated with beta waves, which are faster and occur during active thinking and focus.

In contrast, delta waves are associated with deep sleep and are much slower, while theta waves are present during light sleep and deep relaxation, often linked to creativity and intuition. Thus, alpha waves specifically represent the transition between wakefulness and relaxation, making them the correct choice for this question.