Scarlett Keddie | Jan 30, 2024
Floating is not a new craze, but it’s a wellness trend that’s sticking around. Not for the faint of claustrophobic heart, float tanks – or sensory deprivation therapy – is a process in which you step into a tank and float in water. This suspension is said to be the perfect sense-less time to talk sense to yourself.
What is a float tank?
First invented in the 1950s, the float tank is filled with 6 to 12 inches of body-temperature water and infused with a whole load of Epsom salts. The high salt content makes the water more dense, in turn creating buoyancy so that you can stay afloat.
What are the benefits of a float tank?
Those who have floated swear by the mental and physical relief it gives, by nature of its truly unique offering. You can’t smell anything, you can’t feel anything, you can’t hear anything, and you can’t taste anything. In a sense, you are simply suspended, and that’s it.
The benefits of float tanks have been bouncing about for some time. A study back in 2007 conducted by the Swedish Research Council found that that these tanks were ‘an effective way to alleviate long-term stress-related pain.’ And that alongside this it aided in improved sleep, patients felt more optimistic, and the hormone prolactin (which primarily helps women to lactate) increased. Similarly, stress, depression, anxiety and the perception of pain declined.
A 2011 study by Karlstad University Sweden, delving into the prevention of burn-out and sick-leave, also found that float tanks aided in stress management, improved sleep, increased muscular recovery, reduced blood pressure and detoxification.
Of the participants that included float tank therapy in their routine each week over four weeks, the results found ‘a significant decrease in depression and anxiety and an increase in positive outlook of life.’
If you weren’t already sold and getting into your togs, a study in 2018 corroborated the benefits of flotation therapy, citing that its participants experienced significant reductions in stress, muscle tension, pain, depression with a corresponding significant improvement in ‘mood characterised by increases in serenity, relaxation, happiness and overall well-being.’
We’ll take three of that.
What are the disadvantages of float therapy?
As we mentioned, if you’re prone to claustrophobia, this isn’t the wellness hack for you. And even if you’re not, it is certainly a hugely sensory experience not to be taken lightly.
Studies have been conducted into the likelihood of people experiencing psychotic-like experiences during sensory deprivation. And a particular 2015 study did conclude that people experienced a significant increase in those psychotic-like experiences in sensory deprivation.
It’s not for everyone. After all, this is a bit like going to space, or being back in the womb. It’s all about frame of mind to some degree, too. You’re either floating in a salty bath, collecting your thoughts, or you’re stepping into a sensory deprivation tank. Know what you’re getting in to, and try to frame your mind accordingly, depending on what you’re after.
When it comes to cost, it’s not a cheap and cheerful hobby, either. To flat for an hour, it roughly costs anywhere from $0 to $80, and a tank itself can set you back as much as $10,000 or more.
How often should you use a float tank?
It’s whatever is realistic and feasible for you here. With most of us on the treadmill of life it can be hard to make time for yourself. If you can, opt for once or twice per week and then as needed after that.
How to protect your hair in a float tank?
Salt notoriously dries out our skin, and hair, out. So, after your session, rinse yourself off and apply and nourishing products that you would ordinarily use in your routine.
You can always wear a silicone cap while you float, but the seal may not be 100% effective.
Is it OK to fall asleep in a float tank?
Yes, you can have a snooze in a float tank, although you may also be – unbeknownst to you – entering a transcendental meditative state, and in fact not sleeping when that happens.
It’s unlikely that people will drown in a float tank when asleep – or generally – because of the buoyancy that the salt provides. Regardless, appropriate caution should be used always.
