The Benefits of Floating: Sensory Deprivation Tanks
I love floating! Every time I go I think I need to do this everyday… or at least once a week, of course with a full time job, a daily yoga practice and Floatworks being located on the other side of London from me, this isn’t possible… but one day I will be sure to have my own floating pod!
Here are some of the reasons why I think you should try floating:
Relaxation: One of the primary benefits of floating pods is deep relaxation. The buoyancy of the saltwater within the pod creates a weightless sensation, allowing the body to fully unwind, and the serene environment helps to quiet the mind, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. If you don’t practice yoga or meditation your first session you may struggle to let go fully of your muscles, but once you do its such an amazing experience to be completely weightless with no pressure on any part of your body. If you relax enough you can also listen to your heart beat which I personally find to be deeply relaxing and connecting but it might be overwhelming to those who are just starting their mind body connection journey so take it slowly and try to go through the feeling rather than around it!
Sleep and Insomnia: For those struggling with sleep disorders or insomnia, regular sessions in a floating pod have been shown to improve the quality of sleep. The deep relaxation and sensory reduction can help regulate sleep patterns and promote restful, rejuvenating sleep. After floating I always have the best sleep of my life and wake up fresh and ready to take on the day.
Meditation and Mindfulness: Floating pods provide an ideal environment for meditation and mindfulness practices. The absence of external stimuli and the peaceful setting create a conducive space for focusing inward, enhancing mindfulness and deepening meditative experiences. Having no distractions or discomfort makes meditation so much easier! When I float I can really focus on watching my body breath itself, my heart beat and activate my third eye.
Consciousness Exploration: Many individuals use floating pods as a tool for consciousness exploration and self-discovery. The sensory deprivation environment can facilitate introspection and enhance self-awareness, allowing for a deeper understanding of one's thoughts and emotions. In the modern world there is so much stimuli that it is hard to really connect with your thoughts and emotions. It has become normal to repress your emotions so taking the time to work through these in a safe peaceful environment is very important. Once you feel them they “pop” and the insecurity or trauma linked to that emotion is gone, allowing you to connect deeper to your soul and stop letting your ego take control.
General Wellbeing: Floating pods contribute to overall wellbeing by reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and promoting a sense of balance and harmony within the body and mind. Regular float sessions can help individuals feel more centred and in tune with themselves. Have you every heard the term floating on cloud 9? That’s the feeling you get after floating!
Physical Therapy and Pain Relief: The weightlessness experienced in a floating pod can alleviate pressure on muscles and joints, providing relief for individuals dealing with chronic pain or recovering from injuries. The Epsom salt-infused water also has soothing effects on the body, promoting muscle relaxation and recovery. Once you can relax fully your muscles are able to realign themselves. It’s such an amazing experience to let your body take over and watch it as it recovers and realigns. When I push my body to its limits or have an injury, floating always sorts me out and I can get back to my dynamic practice the next day.
Stress and Anxiety Relief: Floating pods offer a sanctuary for stress relief and anxiety reduction. The calming environment and sensory deprivation help to quiet the mind, soothe frazzled nerves, and release tension, allowing individuals to let go of stress and anxiety. Let your worries float away with you!
Connection with Self: Above all, floating pods offer an opportunity for individuals to reconnect with themselves on a profound level. It helps you get past the ego or image of who you think you are and connect with the part of you that is divine (your soul). Even if you connect with the soul for a fraction of a second it will truly be life changing. The difficulty is leaving behind the attachment to the result, once you master this you can start living from the soul. If you want to learn more about connecting and living from the soul I would recommend reading The Seat of the Soul.
Wether you are seeking solitude, self-reflection, or simply a break from the demands of daily life, floating pods provide a nurturing space for self-exploration and personal growth and can be a valuable addition to your self-care (self-love) routine.