The Tumour Raider and I had an opportunity to try float therapy (also called flotation therapy, sensory deprivation therapy). I figured I should share the experience and benefits here, for those who might be interested.

The word “surreal” comes to mind when I try to find the best descriptor. 🙂

Float therapy involves a high concentration of epsom salts in water in a tank, so that the person in the tank experiences zero gravity. At the same time as you float, there is no music or sound, and the lights are off. The idea is that a different level of relaxation and meditation can be achieved when we remove all stress on the muscles and frame of the body, as well as all of the distractions we have grown to expect.

I thought that time was not passing at all. The float lasts one hour, and I am guilty of what my Aunt has called “monkey mind” when I try to meditate. I was counting my breaths, and then losing count as thoughts popped into my head. At some point, I thought I was thinking but realized I couldn’t feel my body anymore. Then, all at once, it had been an hour. It truly felt like MAYBE 15 minutes had passed.

In the first few minutes, I was trying to figure out my comfortable position as I floated. The weightlessness felt amazing, and I’m a water baby so I was very content. Moses and Maddie were teasing Lara and I as we left for our float, telling us to enjoy our return to the womb. 🙂
I imagine that’s close to how it felt.

Lara has difficulty with pain, and she found that all pain in her back was gone for hours after the float. In fact, she thinks that the chair she chose to sit in afterwards may have hastened the return of that chronic pain.

If you are claustrophobic, you do not have to close your tank/pod all the way. If you don’t like the idea of total darkness (you lose track of where you are, so it can be a bit disorienting) there is a light in the tank that you can leave on.

Overall, I would recommend giving this a try. I’ve been curious about it for quite some time, and I would do it again.

Next up on the health and wellness bucket list? We are going to do cryotherapy! That write up will be next Tuesday.

Blessings and good health to you all!

My flotation tank!