If you've never heard of it before, floating is likely not what you expect. 'Floating' is a unique form of relaxation therapy that involves laying down in 10 inches of warm saltwater, free from gravity and light, that allows you to enter into a state of deep relaxation, pain relief, and creative exploration.
It's much more than a 'spa' experience; it's a proven method for relieving anxiety, increasing creativity, and reducing pain. Whether you're a busy professional looking, expectant mother, or suffering from chronic anxiety or PTSD, here are 5 science-backed reasons why floating is the stress relief solution for you...
The atmosphere of the float tank's setting can help block your body's stress response and reverse some of the physical processes associated with the “fight or flight response,” the body’s reaction to stress. While higher cortisol levels and blood pressure might be helpful if a predator was staring you down, these physical reactions to the dangers of the 21st century (24/7 emails from the boss, traffic jams) take a toll on the body, especially over time. Chronic stress has been linked to obesity, heart disease, and other afflictions. If you're experiencing chronic pain, floating three times a week can allow you to cut out most of your medication.
Stephen Curry hit 402 three-pointers in the '15-16 regular season, setting the all-time record by a significant margin. We aren't claiming that if you float regularly, you'll become an NBA superstar... but we do feel it is worth mentioning that Curry is an avid proponent of float therapy, and has been floating regularly this season.
To quote Steph, "I have a very clear head when it's done, and it shows in the days after floating. It gives me a nice boost of focus and perspective. The more I do it, the more I get from it."
Clinical research has shown that profound relaxation in a float tank triggers the production of endorphins. Endorphins interact with the opiate receptors in your brain to reduce the perception of pain and also ignite wellbeing. They act like morphine, only without the addiction and withdrawal symptoms.
Secretion of endorphins leads to feelings of happiness, modulation of appetite, release of sex hormones, and enhancement of your immune system. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and fewer negative effects of stress. By taking away gravity from your joints, and soaking up the Epsom salts, floating eases inflammatory pain caused by arthritis.
While floating you will notice your breath deepen, and in turn your heart rate slows down. You won’t even know it’s happening at first, it’s an automatic response. Floating on a consistent basis also aids in regulation of blood pressure.
A small study of five university professors found that six 90-minute float sessions allowed them to generate more “creative” ideas, which coincided with a self-reported increase in free imagery and remote associations. Similarly, in a study with 40 university students, a single hour of flotation increased their scores on a standardized test used to measure creativity.
Research suggests that between 33% and 42% of adults experience insomnia each year. Regular flotation appears to be a viable, non-invasive remedy. According to a British Columbia University study, participants who took part in regular flotation therapy reported a consistent decrease in sleep problems over the course of the twelve week program. In addition, another study conducted in 2001 reported that participants fell asleep easier following flotation tank treatment and experienced a higher quality of sleep.
The next step is to schedule your first-time float at our float center. Your first float is only $50 for a 75-minute session using the promo code below. This makes it easily affordable for you to experience the benefits that floating has to offer.