Sensory deprivation float therapy is an alternative medicine therapy that involves depriving the body and mind of stimuli. It’s a therapeutic session used for achieving stillness, calmness, and mind rejuvenation. The key element involved in floatation therapy is the float tank and Epsom salts. The salt is used to create a buoyant environment with extremely minimal gravity.
Suppose you are planning to undergo floatation therapy anytime soon, here are seven good ways you can ensure the best sensory deprivation float tank experience:
Quiet Environment
The absence of background noise is essential for a profound floating experience. Though listening to music while floating is an option. However, stillness allows you to dive even deeper. It can be disturbing and interrupting to hear footsteps, traffic noise, air conditioner vent noise, chit-chat noise, and every other background noise.
In a situation where you find it difficult to maintain a quiet environment, it’s advisable to mask the noise with cool and relaxing music.
Dark Environment
To achieve a pure form of relaxation when floating, your float environment should be dark. You can open your eyes in the darkroom or tank for a deep sense of nothingness. Though some tanks have LED lights, it’s advisable to have them turn off if possible. This is because the perception of light can impact your floatation experience significantly.
The Temperature In The Float Tank
Float spas or studios make an effort to keep the float solution at a consistent temperature that matches the skin temperature. This is because temperature warmer or colder than the skin’s own might cause an unpleasant float, involving nausea, anxiety, and increased heartbeat.
A lot of people confuse floating with soaking in a jacuzzi where the temperature is much higher. A hot tub is not the same as floating. Before you float, it is best to inquire about the temperature of the tanks.
Content Of Salt
The ability to float without putting in any effort is probably the most significant important step in a floatation process. So to enhance buoyancy, the float tank water has to be sufficiently salted.
You can detect if the salt is insufficient if the corners of your eyes are barely above the water surface. When you’re floating in the well-salted water, your eyes will be inches above the surface of the water.
Choice Of Earplugs
It’s critical to have the correct earplugs. Earplugs made of silicone or rubberized material are the gold standard and provide the finest fit with the least amount of water entering into your ears. These earplugs are more expensive than other types.
A lot of floatation therapy facilities do not include earplugs in their setup. Even those that do only make available low-quality ones—those made from foam. These types of earplugs fall out frequently, let water in, or require continual adjustment, which can be annoying. So if you can afford it, it is recommended to take silicone earplugs when going for floatation therapy.
Manage Your Expectations
Before floating, you should watch a personalized orientation film relating to that center. The importance of a well-designed orientation video is to reduce anxiety and get you properly informed. Personal orientations, in addition to the film, are recommended to emphasize the details. You can visit the website of your float center to watch the orientation clip.
Relax After Your Float
When you’re done with your float session, take a shower and spend a while in the lounge to soak in the experience. Spend some time alone to anchor and digest the deep relaxation. This also allows you to flow into the environment again.
Process of Sensory Deprivation In A Float Tank
The process varies significantly depending on the float center. A sensory deprivation tank session usually follows these steps.
- Always arrive early. If it’s your first visit, you should arrive early at the flotation studio or spa.
- Undress; pull off all your trinkets and every clothing item.
- Before entering the tank, take a quick shower.
- Shut the door or lid after entering the tank.
- Allow yourself to float by lying back and allowing the water’s buoyancy to assist you.
- To assist you in relaxing, music is played for roughly ten minutes at the start of your session.
- Each float session lasts for at least an hour.
- The last five minutes of your session are spent listening to music.
- Once your session is over, exit the tank.
- Shower once more and dress up.
- Spend few minutes in the post-float lounge to soak in the float experience