Float Your Way to Relaxation
CBS News April 25, 2018, 1:26 PM

What do you do when you want to relax? Read a book, watch television, take a walk, have a glass of wine? Depending on your personality, the type of activity that you turn to for relaxation may be different than someone else. Keeping this in mind, there's a method that has been slowly gaining steam as a way to completely relax your mind and body. It may or may not be for you.

Floatation therapy, which has been around since the 1950s but is becoming more mainstream in the selfcare and wellness industry, involves a float pod or tank that is filled with about a foot of warm Epsom salt water. The density of the salt allows your body to float effortlessly. It makes you feel weightless. The pods are designed to completely block out all external distractions to help you achieve a state of total relaxation. The salt water and air are heated to skin temperature and the pod is pitch black. Sensory deprivation helps you disconnect from all the distractions of the world. It allows your mind to slow down, which in turn can lower your blood pressure and heart rate.

Because of the Epsom salt used, floating carries other healing properties. It helps exfoliate your skin, ease joint pain and can help flush toxins from your body.

Many athletes utilize floating to help accelerate the healing process. Because gravity is removed, the muscles and joints are able to completely release tension. Read more about this in an article from Sport Techie. Floating has also gained quite a celebrity following and is touted for helping recover from jet lag. An article from Marie Claire covers more about that.

If you've never tried float therapy, your initial reaction to it may give you a hint as to whether or not it may be right for you! Some people are turned off by the idea immediately, others feel anxious about it and some worry about "wasting" an hour doing nothing. Those who suffer from claustrophobia might not feel comfortable in a pod either.

If you do want to try it, check with your local spas. Spas are even popping up around the world that exclusively offer float therapy. A quick google search should give you some options. Many places will offer your first float for free or at a discount so you can try it out before committing too much money on something you may not like. If you're worried about anything, go to the spa and speak with someone before you try it and take a look at the pod so you know exactly what you're dealing with.

Click here to be taken to an article from CBS News that goes into more detail about how floatation therapy impacts your mind.




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