I Finally Found My Secret to Relaxing

My ears felt tingly as I tilted my head backward into the water. I found myself inside a large human-created egg containing saltwater, surrounded solely by artificial violet lighting and silence. With my eyes closed, I eased into relaxation, allowing my body to surrender to its aquatic destiny. This marked the start of my journey exploring sensory deprivation therapy, also known as floating treatment.

Floating therapy uses warm water designed to feel like your body temperature, combined with magnesium sulfate, also known as Epsom salt. As you float, the magnesium sulfate is absorbed through your skin, aiding muscle relaxation—much like when you soak in an at-home Epsom salt bath.

Meet the expert: Justin Feinstein PhD, serves as a clinical neuropsychologist and holds the position of president and director at the Float Research Collective.

This form of sensory isolation treatment is "an innovative method for helping individuals achieve mindful states," notes clinical neuropsychologist Justin Feinstein, PhD, who has researched the impact of floating therapy on those with anxiety "It resets the nervous system" and can enhance your mental health in the short term.

The purpose of floating in a capsule is to reduce all external stimuli, allowing your attention to be solely on your internal sensations (such as your pulse, breath, and awareness of life). This is why the environment is made as quiet and dark as possible, and why both the water and air temperature are set to match your body's warmth.

However, floating therapy offers more than just relaxation—read on to discover additional advantages, along with my experience from trying it for the first time.

The Advantages of Floating Therapy

It could enhance psychological well-being. Floating therapy may serve as an effective way to relieve stress for individuals nearing the point of burnout, and could also assist in reducing signs of anxiety and depression , per the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) . This may also aid in enhancing muscular tightness and sleep difficulties .
It could assist individuals who have mobility challenges. Research indicates it may serve as a therapeutic option for proposes it could function as a remedy for implies it might be employed as a cure for recommends it as a possible solution for hints it could act as a medicinal approach for points toward its potential use as a therapy for raises the possibility of it being utilized as a treatment for notes that it has the capacity to be applied as a curative measure for suggests the application of it as a method of healing for posits it as a viable intervention for chronic pain , fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis .
It can potentially improve blood pressure . According to Feinstein's studies, he notes that certain individuals experience a drop in blood pressure of between 10 and 15 points while floating.
It could aid in the recovery of painful muscles. Epsom salt offers anti-inflammatory benefits, Feinstein explains, and studies demonstrate that it could lower illustrate that it might decrease prove that it can lessen indicate that it has the potential to diminish exhibit that it possibly reduces showcase that it may lead to a reduction highlight that it could result in lessening argue that it might bring about a decline present that it could minimize suggest that it may cause a drop muscle soreness .

One particularly interesting point: It seems the complete calming impact of floating therapy only begins after an hour. after The flotation experience—and the feeling of calmness you achieve may remain for up to an entire day afterwards. Alongside serving as an excellent aid for post-workout recovery, Feinstein suggests that floating therapy could be beneficial for individuals dealing with temporary feelings of anxiety or depression—but further studies are needed to confirm these advantages.

If you're wondering whether these advantages seem overly positive, I felt the exact same way. I was particularly interested because of its potential for aiding muscle recovery, as I am a dedicated runner. Here's what occurred when I decided to try it out.

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What Occurred During My Initial Experience With Floating Therapy

A brief online search showed there was a facility providing floating treatment just 15 minutes from my location, named Float Seattle . Since my main focus was on the possible advantages for muscle recovery, I engaged in an intensive tempo run the day prior to ensure I was genuinely testing out floating therapy.

As expected, I entered the studio with the usual ache that greets you after each step up a staircase. However, I felt instantly calmer once I arrived in the waiting area. Unlike the sterile atmosphere of a typical doctor’s office, the reception space resembled the relaxation zone of an upscale spa—soft sofas placed in front of wall-mounted images of modern artwork, ginger A tea preparation area located in the corner, with natural sounds filling the entire room.

When I arrived, I went through a brief introduction. A staff member guided me to my pod and demonstrated how to open and shut the lid, where to place my body during flotation, and what steps to take before entering the water. She informed me that music would signal the conclusion of my session, after which she exited the room.

Similar to many swimming pools, I had to take a shower prior to entering the cabin. The staff suggested washing with warm water near the conclusion of the shower to adjust for the fact that the water inside the cabin would be slightly colder than what I typically use. Although I could have worn swimwear if I preferred, I chose not to in order to fully enjoy the process.

As I stepped into the capsule, my main thought was how unlike a spa it seemed.

I knew the water wouldn't be extremely hot, but I was hoping for something somewhat similar to being in a hot tub However, in the pod, it seemed as though I were back in a womb. (I mean, I was bare-skinned inside an egg filled with water.) I also started questioning how much time remained in the session.

However, ultimately I ceased tracking the time. Gradually, I began to experience reduced self-awareness and became less conscious of being exposed and confined within the narrow area. I stopped worrying about the liquid moving around in my ears or figuring out the most comfortable posture. I switched off the lights and shut my eyes. Every one of my thoughts appeared to settle at the base of the capsule.

After releasing my worries and self-doubt regarding the situation, it seemed as though the music started just moments afterward. However, once I placed my watch back on, I discovered that I had remained inside the pod for more than an hour.

Following my session, I experienced a peaceful mindset and a physically prepared state for another challenging run.

Every muscle in my body was calm during and following my bath. I would liken it to how you might feel after, for example, a three-hour (!) massage . When the staff member at the reception counter questioned me about my satisfaction with the experience, I could only nod with a distant look and take sips from my mug of ginger tea. tea .

It's difficult to recall a period where I genuinely allowed myself to relax completely and focus on absolutely nothing. Even during my attempts, it hasn't been easy. meditating I've typically just wasted time worrying about being worried. In addition to physically healing my body, I was surprised by how mentally peaceful and focused the experience left me. Hey, perhaps it was just a placebo—but I definitely felt good .

How to Experience Floating Therapy for Yourself

Would you like to experience floating therapy? It is generally considered safe for the majority of individuals—including expectant mothers. Those who suffer from anxiety about confined spaces may want to proceed carefully, as the process requires being inside a sealed environment filled with water. Still, since you have the option to open the pod whenever you wish, you could find it comfortable once you become accustomed to the setting.

Feinstein mentions that he hasn't personally tried float therapy within an enclosed capsule since individuals suffering from significant anxiety often avoid such environments. Rather than using a sealed pod, he ensures the room replicates similar conditions—like soundproofing and eliminating light. Therefore, it’s possible to locate a facility offering this experience without requiring confinement in a tight area. Additionally, consulting with your physician or counselor could help determine if float therapy suits your needs.

My main concerns regarding floating sessions were the cost (a single session at Float Seattle was priced at $89) and the duration involved (the whole process lasted approximately 90 minutes—excluding travel time to and from the location).

In the end, even though it initially seemed unusual, floating therapy turned out to be an excellent method for recovery and relaxation, and I'm certainly planning to give it another shot.