It’s no secret that we love floatation therapy at Re:Set Mind Body Soul. In fact, it’s our speciality.
Out of all of our treatments, we definitely get the most questions about floating, and that’s completely understandable seeing as there really is nothing else quite like it.
In this article, we’re going to answer some of the most common questions we get asked about floatation therapy, including what it is, the science behind it, how to use them and more.
If you have any questions about floating, please get in touch with us! We’d love to help you out.
What is Floatation Therapy?
Floatation is still quite a new concept. It was developed in the 1950s by Dr John C Lily and the goal is to reach a deep mental, physical and emotional state of relaxation and wellbeing.
It takes place in a ‘float pod’ – these are spacious tanks which are filled 10 inches deep with a body temperature Epsom salt solution.
You can float in silence and darkness, stripping you of your senses, or you can choose to have lights and music on and the float pod lid open. It’s entirely up to you and you will have control during your 1-hour session.
The Science
Research has shown that our brain activity when experiencing floatation therapy is almost identical to the elevated states of consciousness Buddhist monks reach when they’re meditating.
When you float, you’re deprived of your senses. Perhaps surprisingly, this has proven to make our brains more active, making us more creative, more imaginative, and more able to solve problems.
The reduced stimulation of your nervous system triggers the ‘parasympathetic response’ (a.k.a. ‘rest and digest’). It calms and relaxes you and can reduce your blood pressure, muscle tension, oxygen consumption, and heart rate.
According to scientists, there are 4 types of brain wave states. They are called Beta, Alpha, Delta, and Theta and they depend on a person’s brain activity levels. The Alpha brain wave state is what people are in when they have just woken up or are just about to fall asleep and it falls between 8 – 12 Hz.
Through floatation therapy, it’s common to reach the Theta state and this is where their brain is functioning between 4 – 7 Hz. Theta is a deeply relaxed mental state where your body can mend itself and reset.
The Benefits
There really are so many excellent benefits of floatation therapy and it can help all kinds of people.
Mental benefits
Just some of the mental benefits of floatation therapy are:
- Increased relaxation
- Increased abilities for imagination and problem solving
- Increased mental clarity and awareness
- Left/right brain synchronisation
- It can help stress related disorders such as anxiety and PTSD
- It can expand awareness and learning ability
Physical benefits
Some of the physical benefits of floatation therapy are:
- It can help prevent and heal sports injuries
- Reduces blood pressure, pulse, heart rate and oxygen consumption
- Reduces the risk of cardiac arrest
- It can ease chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis
- Increased the production of endorphins
- Can help with migraines, chronic headaches, premenstrual tension, and chronic lower back pain
- It can help reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis
- Improves circulation and distribution of oxygen and nutrients
- It can improve athletic performance
- It can boost your immune system
Pregnant women
Pregnant women can also benefit from floating as it will give them a unique release of the extra weight of carrying a baby. If you’re pregnant, floating is completely safe for you and your baby, but please contact your doctor before floating in your third trimester!
It can help you sleep better, relieve some of the pregnancy aches and pains, decrease inflammation, and you will absorb some of the magnesium from the salt solution with benefits for you and your baby.
Floating at Re:Set Mind Body Soul
When you come to Re:Set Mind Body Soul for a float pod session, it’s all about your relaxation.
Your float pod is in a private room with your own shower and shampoo and body wash. We’ll give you ear plugs if you wish to use them and, if you’ve booked in with another therapy with us, we’ll also give slippers, and a robe.
The reason we give you ear plugs is because sometimes water can go in your ears when you’re floating. It won’t harm you, but we know that some people find it uncomfortable.
When you look in the float pod, you’ll notice a blue ring floating in the water. This is called a ‘halo’ and you can use it to support your neck, resting your head in the centre.
Music plays during the first and final 5 minutes of your session and you can have lights on in the pod or be in complete darkness. We recommend that you float in complete darkness for the best effect, but you can leave this lid ajar to let some light in if you’re feeling apprehensive.
Once your 1-hour session is over, you can take your time. Make use of the shower to wash away the Epsom salt and, if you like, you can use the hair dryers we have downstairs.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear?
We recommend that you float naked so that you have no restrictions. However, if you think you’ll be more comfortable in a swimming costume, that’s absolutely fine as well.
What should I bring?
You’ll need to bring everything you need after a shower. We provide shampoo and body wash, as well as a towel and ear plugs. You may wish to bring a hair brush, deodorant, moisturiser, or anything else you usually use after having a shower.
Is it COVID-19 safe?
Yes! All of our treatments at Re:Set Mind Body Soul are entirely COVID-19 safe. You’ll have a private room that is thoroughly cleaned before and after your treatment. Plus, our float pods have a meticulous self-cleaning system that gets rid of any nasties in and the water is completely changed between sessions.
How much salt is used in float pods?
We use half a tonne of Epsom salts.
What is the price?
A 1-hour float session is £35 and you can buy one of our pass packages to buy a series of sessions and get a discount.
Thanks for reading this article on float pods. It should give you a good overview of what they’re for and what to expect when you use them. If you have any questions about this treatment, please contact us! To book a float session, click here.
