The Benefits of Floating
It all begins with an idea.
What are the benefits of floating?
This is one of my favorite topics to write about, because the more I float, and the more people we have come through our doors here in Lawrenceville, the more I learn about the benefits of floating.
Floatation therapy or sensory deprivation therapy has been studied since its creation in the 1950s, but mostly in small scale studies. Beyond the science, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest the benefits of floating as well.
I think it’s important to make the distinction between physical and mental benefits only because clients can come to floatation sessions with very different goals. Although, if you’ve ever floated, it can be difficult to separate the physical feel good from the emotional release that many experience during their sessions.
One study, published on October 25, 2014, cited some interesting and lasting benefits for its participants. If you’re interested, the article can be found here:
https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-14-417
The conclusion of the study -
The results of the present study indicate that flotation-REST may reduce contributing factors to potential stress-related illness as well as increase certain psychological factors in healthy participants. Stress, anxiety, depression, and worst pain decreased and sleep quality and optimism increased in the flotation-REST group compared to the wait-list control group. This technique might increase general health and thus help prevent future sick leave.
We’ve heard from our clients here in Pittsburgh similar anecdotal evidence. Relief from back, neck, and foot pain from the weightless environment inside the float tank. Reduced stress and increased relaxation due to the lack of or control surrounding sensory deprivation. Keep in mind, our floatation tanks allow you to control the light and sound, so it’s a comfortable, controlled environment.
Some additional anecdotal evidence, and one that I find personally helpful, is the deep sense of well being and ease I get from sensory deprivation therapy. It’s hard to describe to anyone that hasn’t experienced it. But floatation therapy can strip away the unnecessary and stress inducing things in your life, and allow you to focus on what’s in front of you and develop a sense of purpose and direction for your thoughts and feelings.
Benefits of Sensory Deprivation
Some simple benefits of sensory deprivation therapy include reduced screen time, reduced blue light, improved sleep, and reduced cortisol levels.
Float therapy, also known as sensory deprivation therapy, has been around since the ‘50s, but fortunately it’s making a come back at a time where were desperately need it. What is “IT”?
A break!
A break from chronic low levels of stress, from screens, from blue light, from all the things that keep us up at night.
If you’re experiencing a little extra stress, or can’t quite ‘turn it off’ at the end of the day, then sensory deprivation therapy may be a useful tool in your quest for better sleep and lowered stress.
We chose our tanks at Victory Float Lounge in Pittsburgh to be accessible for people of all experience levels in terms of floating, which includes people that have never floated before. So the multiple light and sound options, as well as the massive tanks, create an environment that is less intimidating and more welcoming for first timers.
However, we still wanted to have the ultimate option - full sensory deprivation. So, once you settle into our tanks, you can shut off all light and sound, and the room lights are set on timers so there is no light pollution after just a few minutes. And you can settle into a space where your mind is completely free from sensory input.
No lights. No sound. No screens. No blue light. No emails. No text messages. No bosses. No kids.
And the weightlessness of you floating on a bed of water allows your body to relax, and your brain to let go.
Sensory deprivation has been proven in multiple studies over multiple decades to reduce cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol isn’t all bad, but in modern day society, we live with constant elevated levels of cortisol that affect our gut, our mood, and or sleep just to name a few. Coupled with the magnesium of the Epsom salt, and the lack of blue light from our constant screen use, those that have floated report amazing sleep for multiple days following a floatation therapy session.
That’s not saying there aren’t other ways to achieve those results, but float tanks are certainly a convenient and accessible way to reduce your stress and improve your natural sleep habits!