A release of muscle tension is brought about by the state of profound relaxation attained when floating in the buoyant salt water. Circulation is improved. This, coupled with the absorption of magnesium from the Epsom salt saturated water, leads to pain relief… a much appreciated and often touted benefit of floatation therapy.
Is the creative side of you ‘stuck’? Are you an executive (home or business) pondering an issue? Do you feel flustered and unable to think straight? Do you procrastinate from indecision?
There is a Japanese saying ‘Mizu no Kokoro’ which we roughly translate to mean ‘A mind like still water’. Think of a pebble getting thrown into a calm lake- there is the immediate splash, then a circle of wave undulations which quickly disperse back out into calm water. Now imagine your mind reacting similarly- when you are hit with an issue, you are able to calmly think and respond to the problem instead of getting upset and reacting emotionally. Imagine having a calmness where you are able to think clearly and creatively, unencumbered with distractions and split focus. Such a state is attainable through floating.
Do you toss and turn most nights? Do you wake up still feeling tired? Do you lose energy and get sleepy in the afternoon? Are you troubled with not getting enough hours of sleep?
Many factors contribute to improved sleep after floating. Having less anxiety due to the calm experienced during the float. Absorption of the magnesium during the float itself (it is estimated greater than 70% of the population do not get optimal amounts of magnesium through their diet). Less pain keeping you up at night. Better ability to deal with issues, so you ruminate less on them at night. It’s likely a cumulative effect, but one noticed by most floaters, young and old alike. And the more consistent your floating routine, the more noticeable this benefit.
You know what it is like when you first wake up in the morning? That state where you are not really awake, but not really asleep? Where you are very calm and peaceful? Or maybe you practice some form of meditation, where you let your mind wonder, or you turn inward, or you think positive thoughts.
People who float not only typically get very relaxed, many actually reach a meditative theta brain wave state. Altered time perception is common. Creative thinking flourishes- chefs think up new dishes, musicians new lyrics, painters new scenes. People who have long meditated reflect how easily and quickly and deeply they get into their meditative state when floating, a state which otherwise had taken them years of practice to attain. Plus, the body responds to an hour of floating like it does to 6-7 hours of sleep.
Do you know a veteran or first responder that has issues with stress? Do you have children that suffer from anxiety? Are you yourself overly sensitive or over-reactive?
Studies have been done with multiple participants, representing a wide range of anxiety disorders. Most floats were performed in open pools, so claustrophobia complications were minimized. Researchers noted a “robust” reduction in anxiety across all subgroups. So imagine what floating can do to ease stress and anxiety for your family, friends and colleagues.
Floating is an amazing, multi-faceted therapy which shows such promise for so many. Taking an hour respite from life’s pressures can have such positive effects for body, mind and spirit. We firmly believe taking time for yourself is of paramount importance- not something to feel guilty about, but rather something to be scheduled and cherished.
