Float Tanks: A Promising Approach to Addressing Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a complex and challenging eating disorder characterized by distorted body image and severe weight loss.
Traditional treatments have primarily focused on nutritional rehabilitation and cognitive-behavioral therapies.
However, recent research has shed light on a novel approach that might offer additional therapeutic benefits: float tanks - known as floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) in clinical settings.
What is Floatation-REST?
Floatation-REST involves immersing an individual in a shallow pool filled with a dense saltwater solution. This environment is specially designed to minimize sensory input, including visual and auditory stimuli. Participants float effortlessly on their back, thanks to the high salt concentration, and can choose to be in total darkness or have soft ambient illumination.
How Can Float Tanks Help Those with Anorexia Nervosa?
A recent study delved deep into the potential benefits of floatation-REST for individuals with AN. Here's what they found:
Reduction in Body Dissatisfaction: The primary outcome of the study was self-reported body dissatisfaction, measured using the Photographic Figure Rating Scale (PFRS). Participants who underwent floatation-REST sessions showed significant reductions in body dissatisfaction.
Decrease in Anxiety Levels: AN often coexists with heightened anxiety levels. The study noted acute reductions in state anxiety among participants after their float sessions.
Enhanced Interoceptive Awareness: One of the theories behind AN's distorted body image is the diminished perception of interoceptive body signals, which are signals from within the body, like hunger and fullness. By reducing external sensory input, floating heightens awareness of these interoceptive sensations, potentially helping individuals with AN reconnect with their body's signals.
Why is this Significant?
Anorexia Nervosa is not just about food. It's deeply intertwined with how individuals perceive their bodies. Traditional treatments, while effective, might not address all facets of the disorder. Floatation-REST, with its unique approach, offers a complementary method that addresses both the perceptual and emotional aspects of AN.
Moreover, the relaxing environment of the float tank can be a therapeutic experience in itself, offering individuals a break from the constant sensory overload of the modern world.
Float Tanks and Broader Anxiety Implications
While the study primarily focused on Anorexia Nervosa, the implications of float tanks extend to the broader spectrum of anxiety disorders. Here's how:
Natural Anxiolytic Effect: The significant reduction in state anxiety observed among participants with AN suggests that floatation-REST has inherent anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties. This aligns with previous research on float tanks, which have shown promise in alleviating symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and panic disorder.
Sensory Deprivation and Mindfulness: The sensory-deprived environment of a float tank can be likened to certain mindfulness and meditation practices. By minimizing external distractions, individuals are better able to focus on their internal experiences, promoting a state of calm and present-moment awareness. This can be especially beneficial for those with anxiety, as it offers a respite from the incessant cycle of anxious thoughts.
Enhanced Interoceptive Connection: Just as with AN, individuals with anxiety disorders often struggle with interoceptive awareness. They might misinterpret bodily sensations (like a racing heart) as signs of impending doom. By enhancing interoceptive connection, floating can help individuals better understand and regulate their bodily responses to anxiety.
Safe Environment for Exposure: For those with heightened anxiety, even the thought of new experiences can be daunting. The controlled and safe environment of a float tank can serve as a gentle form of exposure therapy, allowing individuals to confront and gradually desensitize themselves to certain triggers.
A Holistic Approach to Mental Well-being
It's important to note that while floatation-REST shows promise in addressing anxiety symptoms, it should be viewed as a complementary therapy. Traditional treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication, remain crucial. However, as we continue to understand the multifaceted nature of anxiety and its interplay with other disorders like AN, holistic approaches like floatation-REST offer a fresh perspective and an additional tool in the therapeutic arsenal.
Floatation-REST, with its unique sensory-deprived environment, offers a promising complementary approach to traditional treatments for both Anorexia Nervosa and broader anxiety disorders. Its ability to reduce body dissatisfaction, alleviate anxiety symptoms, and enhance interoceptive awareness makes it a valuable tool in the holistic treatment of mental health disorders.
While it's not a standalone cure, the initial findings are encouraging. It underscores the importance of integrating diverse therapeutic methods to address the multifaceted nature of disorders like AN and anxiety. As we continue to explore and validate the benefits of such therapies, it's crucial to consult with healthcare professionals to ensure a comprehensive and tailored treatment plan. Float tanks, in their tranquil embrace, might just offer many individuals the respite and clarity they need on their journey to mental well-being.
How Often Should You Float?
Tailoring Your Sessions for Maximum Benefit
As the popularity of float therapy continues to rise, one question remains at the forefront for many: How often should you float? At Flow Spa, we encounter this query frequently, and the answer isn't one-size-fits-all. It largely depends on your specific goals and reasons for floating.
Having seen thousands of clients come in for all the purposes and benefits of floating you can imagine, we have some recommended guidelines for maximizing the benefits you’re looking for.
The Multifaceted Benefits of Floating
If you've ever floated with us or delved into our articles, such as the "Top Eleven Benefits of Floating," you're already aware of the myriad health advantages that float therapy offers. From mental relaxation to physical rejuvenation, the benefits are vast and varied.
Tailoring Your Float Frequency
Let's break down the most common reasons people turn to float therapy and the recommended frequency based on our observations and feedback from our valued clients:
1. Pain Relief
For those seeking solace from chronic pain or discomfort, floating can be a game-changer.
Recommended Frequency: Every 1-2 weeks.
2. Stress and Anxiety Management
In our fast-paced world, finding moments of calm can be challenging. Float therapy offers a sanctuary for the mind.
Recommended Frequency: Every 2-4 weeks.
3. Boosting Creativity
Whether you're an artist, writer, or simply someone looking to think outside the box, floating can unlock doors to deeper creativity. While there are no strict guidelines, we've found a sweet spot for maintaining that creative connection.
Recommended Frequency: At least once per month.
Consider the entrepreneur on the brink of a groundbreaking launch. A float session can provide the clarity and focus needed to tackle challenges head-on. Similarly, a musician amidst a gruelling tour might find inspiration for a new song during a float.
4. Enhancing Sports Performance
For athletes, float therapy isn't just about relaxation; it's a tool for visualization, recovery, and peak performance.
Recommended Frequency: Weekly or every two weeks.
Especially during intense training periods or in the lead-up to competitions, athletes might benefit from even more frequent sessions. In the final week leading up to strongman competitions, I floated every single day when I was trying to recover and continue to mentally rehearse to perform my best.
This high frequency ensures optimal recovery and prevents overexertion, allowing athletes to push their boundaries safely.
Your Float Therapy Journey Awaits
In essence, the frequency of your float sessions should align with your personal goals and needs. Whether you're seeking physical relief, mental clarity, or a boost in creativity, float therapy can be tailored to serve you best. Always remember to listen to your body and mind, and adjust your float schedule accordingly.
At Flow Spa, we're here to guide and support you on your float therapy journey. Dive in, find your rhythm, and let the transformative power of floating elevate your well-being.
Ready to embark on your float journey? Book your next session with us and experience the magic of float therapy.
Is Floating Still Good If You're Already Very Parasympathetic?
Everyone has a natural tendency towards action or inaction in how they spend the majority of their time. You probably know someone who wakes up at the crack of dawn and is go, go, go until the minute their head hits the pillow at night. And on the flip side, there are the people in your life that move slower, talk slower, and embrace the pacing of themselves. If you're more of the former, these individually probably drive you crazy at times for not being fast enough.
This comes down to dominance in sympathetic or parasympathetic strands of the nervous system. We recognize that people who run through their days need to take the time to slow down and stop occasionally to avoid the risk of burning out but what about the parasympathetic ones? Are parasympathetic-dominant activities like float therapy beneficial for them or is there such a thing as too much of a good thing?
It first helps to understand more about these underlying systems and tendencies.
What do parasympathetic and sympathetic really mean?
The central nervous system (CNS) including our brain and spinal cord runs the whole show in our body. It's like the conductor of the train engine of our body.
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are like control knobs that are dialled in from our conductor and are referred to together as the autonomic nervous system (ANS) because it was originally believed that we had no conscious control over our parasympathetic and sympathetic systems. This has been shown to not be accurate as research including that done on Wim Hof and groups of individuals instructed by him have demonstrated that they can control parts of the autonomic nervous system through breathwork.
Because of situations like this, there has been a recent scientific uprising on whether it's a misnomer to refer to these branches of the ANS as sympathetic and parasympathetic. The other reason is that the system exists on a continuum so we shouldn't think of it as all one way or the other. That's why the analogy of dials that the conductor has control over works well.
So if the idea of parasympathetic and sympathetic is not the ideal framing, what is?
The common terms we used to describe these systems are "rest and digest" for parasympathetic and "fight or flight" for sympathetic. These rhyming names can help to illustrate what's actually happening when each of these systems is engaged in a healthy and functional manner.
What we don't see, however, is what happens with the dysfunctional firing of the systems which we will turn to next.
Adaptive and Maladaptive ANS Responses
There is not only the consideration of which branch of the ANS is predominantly firing but whether it is doing so in an adaptive manner.
Many of us think of fight or flight as a bad thing, but it is an essential part of our survival and evolution. When our body goes into a heightened sympathetic state, it's because of a perceived threat. Perception is important to point out because so many of us react to things in the modern day that aren't directly threatening us which can lead to conditions of chronic stress.
Chronic stress is one of the maladaptive responses of the autonomic nervous system in which our fight or flight and rest and digest systems are no longer working together in a productive fashion.
But we can also see maladaptive responses due to natural tendencies, like being sympathetic dominant or parasympathetic dominant without practicing becoming aware of our tendencies and working to resolve our maladaptive responses.
things like numbing out for example. Many of us have reached our limits by feeling stressed and overwhelmed and have resorted to moving past fight or flight because we are depleted and into freezing or fawning. We submit to our stressors either because of the natural tendency to be more inclined to the slower approach or because of being way over our limits and frozen.
When to include more parasympathetic if you're already dominant in that state?
If you’re already in an immobile state, should you still be practicing yoga nidra, float therapy, and other techniques for increasing parasympathetic activity?
As humans, we’re meant to move and be active, so you will benefit from more active and engaging practices in your leisure time but there’s also no detriment to doing deep health-promoting treatments like floating.
There’s a vast difference between finding stillness deliberately in a healthful way and the numbing out that leads to our body wanting to be parasympathetic-dominant.
In these still activities, like floating, massages, long stretches, and restful yoga, we can explore our deeper health and build self-awareness to what’s the root cause of our maladaptive coping mechanisms.
When coping with stress, it's important to consider individual tendencies and the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity in the autonomic nervous system. While some individuals may already lean towards a parasympathetic-dominant state, it doesn't mean that practices aimed at increasing parasympathetic activity, such as yoga nidra and float therapy, are unnecessary.
Even if you're naturally more inclined towards a slower pace and tend to embrace stillness, incorporating active and engaging practices into your leisure time can still be beneficial. Movement and physical activity are essential for overall health and well-being. However, engaging in deep health-promoting treatments like floating and massages can provide additional benefits.
Being Aware Of What You Need Most
These still activities allow us to explore our deeper health and build self-awareness. They provide an opportunity to delve into the root causes of our maladaptive coping mechanisms. By intentionally finding stillness and engaging in restful practices, we can better understand and address the underlying factors contributing to stress.
It's important to note that there's a distinction between deliberately seeking stillness in a healthful way and engaging in numbing behaviours that may lead to an excessive parasympathetic response. Numbing out or submitting to stressors without addressing them can hinder our ability to effectively cope with stress. By actively participating in practices that promote relaxation and self-reflection, we can develop healthier coping mechanisms and achieve a better balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.
Even if you're already parasympathetic-dominant, incorporating activities that promote relaxation and self-awareness can be beneficial for stress management. These practices allow for a deeper exploration of our well-being and can help address underlying issues contributing to maladaptive coping mechanisms.
When Will I Notice A Difference With Floating?
When will I notice a difference from float therapy?
Right away, although 3 is the sweet spot for most people to really see a difference.
Like anything new, the first float is filled with excitement and anticipation.
You wonder what the experience is going to be like. Especially because it’s so hard to describe an experience that’s like no other.
There’s also the anticipation. How will you feel after?
Research on floating and from our own experience here at Flow Spa, you’ll feel very relaxed after just your first float, and most people really start to notice they can relax deeper And fully experience the benefits of floating after 3 floats.
The research-backed benefits for reducing anxiety, decreasing stress hormones and relieving back pain comes from just one 60-minute float session. And they improve even further with subsequent treatments.
This 60-minute length of time is important to point out because people often wonder how long they should do for their first float and we like to encourage people to relax into and get used to floating for an hour with their first visit.
30 minutes is possible and also very relaxing, but because of the newness of the float experience, it takes time to get settled in and situated.
Letting the music gradually fade out, even for longer than our suggested 10 minutes at the start can help in the first float, but many people are ready to completely let go and escape.
And because 3 floats is an ideal starting point to see if floating is a therapy that works best for your needs for stress management, relaxation, and recovery, we do offer a 3-float package which is $195 - new customers can get it for $165.
You can find that package available in our online store, or talk to the front desk at the spa
Do I Need To Be Able To Meditate To Float?
Many people feel hesitant around the float tank because of the idea of sensory deprivation and what you’re supposed to do for an hour with your mind.
It can be daunting to think about going into an hour of solitude to be alone with your thoughts, but many of our clients have no experience with meditation and you don’t have to either.
Let’s talk about some of the experiences of the float tank and why you don’t have to be a good meditator to reap the benefits.
An hour of peace and quiet with no distractions from your thoughts is one of the most nourishing and powerful things we can do for ourselves in today’s day and age.
The float tank is so physically relaxing because you’re supported weightlessly by the Epsom salt solution, that it helps your mind to calm down too.
This is one of the reasons that the float tank works wonders for people in pain as well as for relieving anxiety. Sometimes when your mind can’t shut off and you’re stuck worrying, it can feel like it’s impossible to calm your mind and focus on meditation. By letting yourself float peacefully with calming music or having it fade out to silence you’re able to let your body naturally guide your mind to a calmer state.
Research on float therapy has looked at what our brains do when we’re floating and has found that our brainwaves reach the slow theta state. For the most part, Theta brainwaves usually only show up under two conditions: during REM sleep and in highly experienced meditators. But because of the unique environment of the float tank is so calming and free from external stimuli, our brains are naturally able to reach this deeply rejuvenating and calm state.
Experience float therapy for yourself to see these research-backed benefits. Whether you’re booking in Peterborough at Flow Spa or your closes float centre wherever you are in the world, I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful experience.
Does The Float Tank Need To Be Sensory Deprivation?
I am watching a Livestream as my friend Josh crosses the threshold into a pitch-black shipping container which he will be locked into for 24 hours. But not only will he be locked away in complete darkness, he’s also going to run on a treadmill nonstop in a race against three other guys for a whole day. This sensory deprivation challenge was on a whole other level that no one else has ever attempted before. To say it isn’t for the faint of heart is putting it lightly.
Fortunately, float therapy doesn't have to be this way, even though it's often still referred to as a sensory deprivation tank.
While it's true that you can go with the lights and music off to completely tune out the world around you, this is not a requirement of the experience to be therapeutic. A lot of our customers who are looking for pain relief may float with the lights on or have the music play the whole session.
It’s about reaching a point of stillness in your body and your mind, and for someone who has a lot of internal distractions like a racing mind, relaxing music can be just enough to help bring about a calmer state.
We also have customers with tinnitus who also prefer to keep the music on or plug in their own device to play some audio or a podcast because it is much more relaxing for them without the ringing in their ears.
We most commonly use a playlist of relaxing sleep soundtracks to help settle you into your float. If you want to download or listen to it right now, you can do so here. Listen for yourself and even choose which track you like the most if you want to request it during your float.
Is Floating Safe With High Blood Pressure?
Is floating safe if you’ve got high blood pressure?
The short answer is - yes!
It’s helpful to know that the temperature in the float tanks is skin temperature neutral so you don’t overheat or get cold. This also means that it’s safe for anyone with high blood pressure because it’s not going to raise blood pressure the way a hot tub does, which is why you have to avoid hot tubs.
In fact, float tanks help to reduce blood pressure. Research on the benefits of float therapy has shown significant reductions in indicators of stress, including high blood pressure after just one one-hour float session. That’s why it’s safe for high blood pressure but always check with your doctor first if you have any concerns.
So if it’s time for you to reduce some stress, it’s a great time to float!
Float Tank Filtration and Sanitization Process
How do the float tanks get sanitized?
Health and safety is our number one priority at Flow Spa, and I worked as a food safety manager for a number of years before opening Flow Spa, so I get it.
People want to know how the float tanks get cleaned and are they safe?
There is a four-stage process of filtration and sanitizing that the float tanks go through after every customer in addition to the regular change over of the water and Epsom salt that makes up the float tank solution.
When the filters run after every customer, they completely change over the solution 4 times before the next person. The first step is a skimmer followed by a micron filter that is fine enough to trap and remove microbes from the solution. Then the next two steps through the filtration system sanitize and disinfect the solution even further with the same process that medical devices go through for disinfection.
This uses UV light and an Ozonator which both on their own are effective for safe treatment of the float tank solution but are even better together.
And as an additional sanitary measure, we add hydrogen peroxide to the water and spray down all the surfaces of the float tank that aren’t covered by the water filtration process with hydrogen peroxide as well.
What's The Temperature In The Float Tank?
We often get asked about the temperature in the float tank.
Will you get cold? Is it going to be too hot?
So let’s talk a bit about what it feels like when you are floating.
We usually describe that it feels like you're floating in space.
The temperature in the float tank is perfect so that you stay comfortable and don't overheat.
We call this skin receptor neutral because the temperature is set to be at a point where once you get settled in and relaxed you don't even notice you're in water anymore. The air and water around you are in harmony with your body temperature. Not your core temperature, but your skin temperature, which is right around 96 degrees.
This makes for a tranquil and cozy experience that doesn’t leave you sweating or shivering. Instead, you feel as if you’re wrapped in a warm embrace during float therapy.
And if you’re wondering why the float tanks are set up this way, it’s because it gently guides our bodies and minds into a calmer state of relaxation. By not noticing the ambient environment around you, it gives your brain less to process.
Right now, take notice of all the physical sensations around you. What do your clothes feel like? Are they comfortable or restrictive? Do you have a watch on that’s sending you notifications and tapping your wrist?
Is your phone putting pressure on your pocket and diverting your attention?
I particularly hate long socks and find it very uncomfortable when that pressure is on my calves and usually wear ankle socks.
Even the pressure of the chair you’re sitting on or what the ground feels like if you’re standing up.
All of these sensations are just physical. We haven’t even considered sights and sounds yet. And by having a float tank become a fortress of solitude from physical sensations, along with visual and auditory cues, our nervous system gets a chance to really turn down a take a break.
I think that the sensation of losing track of where your body ends and the float tank solution begins is one of the best parts. When you can’t tell if your feet are in or out of the water and where your body is in relation to the surroundings, it’s one of the most mentally liberating feelings we can have.
Now the other question that often comes up in relation to the temperature in the float tank is about making adjustments. If we are given enough notice in advance, we can make slight adjustments to the heaters to make the float experience more perfect for you. We have the sweet spot for pretty much everyone with our float tanks but some people do run hotter or colder and we’ll do our best to accommodate this when given enough time to prepare.
What Do I Wear In The Float Tank?
What do I wear in the float tank?
If you've started to research float therapy or watched any of the videos that we've got online, then you've probably wondered about what do you wear in the float tank?
You've seen people wearing bathing suits and it's totally normal to assume that's the way to go as well.
And the answer is, it's totally up to you!
But most people prefer to float nude as it's one less distraction from a relaxing float.
The float rooms at Flow Spa are completely private. You lock the door for yourself when you get settled into your room.
Do whatever feels most comfortable for you though. It's all under your control to have the most relaxing experience.
One thing I will mention is if you do choose to wear a bathing suit. The amount of salt in the water is incredible and you'll want to wear your bathing suit while showering off after your float and give it a couple of good rinses.
I have found that whenever I have a bathing suit on in the float tank, even if I've rinsed it really well, the clothing dries stiff as a board because of the amount of salt that gets absorbed.
It's easy enough to toss in the washing machine but I find it funny to see swim shorts that can stand up on their own.
Can I Float If I Have Claustrophobia?
Using Sensory Deprivation Tanks If You're Claustrophobic
Most people think about MRI machines when they think of floating. These loud, tightly contained machines may be responsible for more cases of claustrophobia than anything else in the world.
Unfortunately, for many of us who have claustrophobia, this preconceived notion does not do justice to the spaciousness and control that brings a wonderful and relaxing experience from floating at Flow Spa.
The float tanks are actually really big and you have control over how you want to relax.
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Watch This Video 〰️ Worried About Claustrophobia? 〰️
There are two choices in float tanks here: the float pod has a clamshell lid you can keep up if you want and the float cabin is like stepping into a big room to float in. The side entrance door on the cabin means you can keep it open a little bit or a lot depending on your preferences as well.
In each of the float tanks, there are only about 10.5 inches of water which also means there’s lots of open air space above you when you’re laying on your back and floating effortlessly.
There are also lights and music options for all of our float tanks, so you choose to make the experience as comfortable as you like. While it’s a great way to let our nervous system escape from everything going on around us to have lights and music off, you don’t have to in order to have a great float and relax, reduce stress, and recover.
We’ve seen many customers come in believing there would be no way they could float in a float tank because of their claustrophobia and yet they surprise themselves with how relaxed they were and had no issues at all. There are also clinics that are starting to use float therapy as a way to desensitize people to claustrophobia because of the control over the space and how floating has been proven to reduce anxiety.
Find Your Flow
Want Better Time Together? Start By Spending Time Alone
“Pardon? Can you say that again – I was distracted.”
How often do you hear those words come out in conversation because something on the other person’s phone caught their attention? I’m willing to bet it’s far more often than you’d like. To the point that sometimes you wish you could just snap that stupid phone in half and stomp it into a million pieces.
Now that we got that out of our system, let’s move on.
Distraction Isn’t All Our Fault
In a lot of ways, it’s less a sign of personal failure and more an indication of the digital world we are consumed by that is distracting. And while some may argue that this is no fault of the technology, it seems apparent that there’s a lot of intention behind these devices and social media platforms being designed to grab our attention and keep it for as long as possible.
But this constant assault on our attention stresses us cognitively and being in an on-demand state of distraction all the time leads us to greater overall stress and anxiety to our society as a whole. And it’s no surprise that many of us have started to fight back against being plugged in all the time as we’ve seen an increase in the popularity of meditation, mindfulness, and practices that disengage us completely like floating.
Floating Helps Us Connect Deeper
Floating lets us escape from all of the external distractions for a time, allowing the mind and body time to relax and reset.
Stepping back out into the world after a float brings more colour to the world. Senses are literally heightened, including our more emotional ones like feeling connection and empathy with the people around us. This is often mostly directed towards close friends or loved ones who notice these changes the most, but we’ve heard plenty of stories about small acts of kindness towards total strangers post-float.
When you take time to take care of yourself, you develop the resilience that allows you to take care of and love others more too. It’s just like the emotional and mental health version of putting on your oxygen mask first before helping others. And floating is a great example of one way to nurture your deep health to recover better and manage stress with benefits that extend beyond your time spent in the tank.
And while it’s a practice of spending time completely alone in the float tank, the practice of floating can help with forming deeper connections with others. Friends will often come in together so that they can relax and hang out together afterwards while feeling lighter and more relaxed. Many couples also find that floating is the perfect way to start off a romantic weekend together or just a casual date night. Taking the time to process the thoughts swirling through your head and letting go of deep stress from the many aspects of your life is the perfect way to free yourself up to be more to be present for the things and people that are right in front of you.
There is an openness and joy to being able to flow in the present moment. Connections just seem to click into place. When something goes wrong, it’s easier to shrug it off and laugh it away. And when fully immersed like this, those normal distractions we all face go unnoticed. Plus, if you’re having lunch or dinner post-float, food really does taste amazing by being in this effortless state.
Benefits Backed By Science
All of these effects and experiences are more than just a collection of anecdotes - research on float therapy consistently shows reduced stress and anxiety, and increased feelings of serenity and well-being. There’s also evidence of increased creativity after floating which may be part of why spending time with others after a float can be so much more enjoyable. There is also some newly emerging research showing improvements in attention and quality of life for those diagnosed with ADHD.
Our brains are wired to be on alert for threats in our environment. It’s what has kept us alive and got to where we are today but with everything that goes on around us now - from the constant noise and bright lights to screens everywhere and busy cities - most of us can’t avoid being on edge. And being mentally overloaded all the time, there’s no wonder that it can be hard to focus on the person right across the table from you and what they’re saying.
So in whatever you accomplish, it’s important to practice the ability to tune out the distractions from the world around you, as well as the ever-present mental chatter. Floating is the ideal tool and way to recover from this and you’ll find that those distractions clear away as your focus and attention resurface, whether you come in to float on your own, with friends, or with a romantic partner.
Why Floating Makes The Perfect Resolution Wingman - Sticking To Your Goals in 2022
It might seem like New Year’s resolutions are often made for the sole sake of not sticking to them.
Many people joke about how their resolution for the new year is to not break their resolutions. And as funny as it may be to hold so much value to a particular time of year when it comes to goal setting, it’s also very clear that the challenge is real when we see all those new gym members dropping off from their workout plans 6 weeks into the New Year.
What it comes down to is that we need to place more intention into our goals as well as think about what we can do to help support us on our journey.
Getting strategic with using tools and different methods is one way to help with sticking to your resolutions. It’s human nature to revert back to the habits we already have in place, whether they are good or bad, so turning to solutions outside of our own willpower will be helpful.
Think about what your preferred method for keeping track of notes is. Do you like the traditional feel of putting pen to paper? Or do you thrive in the digital world to keep your todos all organized? Try using a journal or your calendar to help you plan the actions to take that will keep you working towards your goals.
One particularly helpful practice when it comes to reinforcing new behaviours and breaking bad habits is float therapy. Behaviour change was one of the initial inspirations for Dr. John C. Lily, the inventory of the first float tanks. Dr. Lily wrote several books on using float tanks to reprogram your brain. Floating is a great way to get deep recovery across all six aspects of our health. We dramatically reduce stress and anxiety through floating, get a chance to escape from all the noise and busyness of our lives, and also go deep on self-reflection and visualization of our future best self.
Reflecting on your goals and seeing the path forward from where you are to where you want to be is one of the keys to success.
Without planning and learning along the winding path that is goal setting, we are bound to repeat the same mistakes. And when you look deeply at your goals and uncover the core values that drive those goals, you come to find more harmony with the aspects of your existential health and live in alignment with your deeper purpose. This will ultimately also help you in seeing your goals and resolutions get fulfilled.
Self-reflection and visualization are two of the common reasons that regular floaters come in for float sessions, because the float tank is such an ideal place for those practices. Without external distractions and in a perfectly comfortable state, your mind is able to wander and also direct its attention to things that we often miss out on during the chaos of our days, like thinking about New Year’s resolutions and goals and what they mean to you.
And because of the physical and mental benefits of floating, incorporating wellness practices like floating into our routine can relieve the stress and anxiety that often is an obstacle in our way of achieving big goals. By finding better balance with stress levels and practicing deep recovery, we will find the energy and drive we need to take the steps towards making real changes in our lives.
Research continues to show how important it is to give ourselves a time out and disconnect from the constant demands of our lives. It just takes some purposeful planning to make it happen.
Floating may be the perfect way to escape the stress but even 10-15 minutes of calm breathing can help us to manage stress better, improve focus, and lower blood pressure, all of which can help us towards greater health changes.
It might seem like by simply declaring our resolutions at the start of a new year that you’ll be able to effortlessly follow through to make it happen but reworking the patterns that are we are used it is a challenge. It’s important to use whatever practices and tools you can to stay on track. Use a journal or calendar to plan out the actions you’ll take to work towards your goal, start your day mindfully with some breathing or get outside for a walk, and, of course, schedule some time to float regularly.
Making The Most of the Holidays
In preparation for the holiday season we buzz with excitement from the plans we have to reconnect with loved ones and celebrate. And usually that feeling goes overboard as we try to orchestrate a million things at once.
But holidays are also meant to be a time for us to get away from our crazy busy schedules. It should be our chance to enjoy special moments with the people we love.
It often turns out that this is one of the most stressful times of the year for us though. Trying to get to that peaceful moment where "all is calm, all is bright" tends to pack even more into the last frantic dash. The holidays don't quite feel like they live up to the name when we have a houseful of kids, in-laws, and finding the perfect gifts to take care of.
And on top of our social stressors, we've got sales and advertising coming at us from every direction on all of our devices. It can be really easy to forget about ourselves during this time with our attention pulled by the needs and demands of others.
Taking time to ground yourself and find balance amidst the holiday stressors is so important because it allows us to bring the gift of your presence to the festive gatherings. Your relationships benefit from this and you'll feel happier to be able to resist the overwhelm that comes so easily this time of year.
Despite all of your obligations during this time of year, it's also a time for reflection as we cross the threshold on another year and we recognize the importance of our health in so many ways. And not just your own health but for your loved ones as well.
For many of us, gift giving rituals feel more like a chore than a joy but that's where putting thought into the gifts we choose can make a big difference.
A gift can be an expression of how well you know somebody and that you care about that relationship you have. Nailing the right gift choice can not only have a positive impact on the relationship you have with the other person but also contribute to their life as a whole. These are the gifts that most people want the most. We recognize the importance of health and the often neglected self-care that we all need.
Gifts that refill that need for recovery and empty the tank of stress don't have to be extravagant. You can plan some quality time together to go for a hike or to go skating. Make a nice meal together, book them a massage, or pre-pay for babysitters or house cleaners to help encourage some more downtime for them. And of course, a gift card for a float is the perfect break from responsibility with serenity in the quiet darkness.
The gift of float therapy is restorative in so many ways and you'll even notice that their time spent with others is more joyful and connected because of this time out to practice peaceful presence.
Scheduling a float before a day out can be a great way to relax before sightseeing or going to an event. It's also a nice activity to do as a small group to all reconvene after your floats to chat and connect on a deeper and calmer level.
People rave over receiving floats as gifts because so many of us have always wanted to try it and experience the effects of the float tank and those who have already floated will glow with excitement over getting back into the tank for more deep relaxation.
In so many ways, floating is about something that so many of us are missing - connection. Connection to our deep health during the float session, and the lasting tranquility that comes afterwards and allows us to connect that much more with the people around us.
Floating inspires openness and ease in a way that not many therapies can for even those whose hearts are still two sizes too small.
This holiday season, take care of yourself and encourage others in your life to do the same. The gift of living in a beautiful state is the real greatest gift. And floating is one of many ways to spend more time in this state but it's also one of the best ones!
6 Deep Health Benefits of Float Therapy
Our lives are multifaceted and we know that stress is cumulative amongst the different parts of our lives.
Deep health is an important concept that I've been studying as a part of my Sleep, Stress Management, and Recovery certification along with my Master Health Coaching program.
Deep health takes into consideration our:
physical health
mental health
emotional health
spiritual/existential health
environmental health
social health
You may be familiar with how some or all of these aspects of our lives affect our health and just as each category can contribute positively, stress can affect us in each of these areas as well.
So it's just important to find ways to recover that satisfy each of these deep health components.
As I've been going through this program and learning how to coach our individual and unique recovery strategies that work for each of these areas, it's become apparent to me that floating is as close to perfect a recovery tool that we have access to because it satisfies recovery in each of the 6 categories of deep health.
What Makes Floating So Great For Deep Health?
Physical health is restored by things like good nutrition, quality sleep, and varied movement to promote physical adaptation. And floating provides great physical recovery by taking all pressure off of our body. The effects of this physical restoration get us into a state that feels like the best nap ever (and actual sleep for many floaters).
Mental health requires periods of mental recovery and creativity to bounce back from deep work and more productive time in our schedule. Float tanks are amazing places to work on creative problem solving or just let whatever patterns of creativity come up for you.
Emotional health gets recovered through the healthy expression of emotions, but just as importantly, from purposely getting into a positive and calm state and we know there's no more calm and tranquil state to get into than floating.
Spiritual or existential health recovers through introspection and thinking about our "why" and the bigger picture. This is often very difficult for us to do but when we have the time in the float tank we are often able to spend the time searching our own depths for answers to these questions.
Environmental health - Removing ourselves from environmental distractions and literal and metaphorical noise is one of the best environmental recharges we can do. It helps our nervous system get back
Social recovery looks like healthy communication and conflict resolution. But also, spending time alone is how we can bring ourselves to recharge our social batteries to bring our best to social situations.
So floating really is an amazing resource for deep recovery across all dimensions of our health.
Black Friday Specials 2021
Black Friday Frenzy is upon us (although it seems like it's now a race to whoever can launch their sale earlier in November).
However, I see a lot of us fighting back against the craze and looking to be more thoughtful with supporting small businesses with our spending and gift-giving.
And what we all want most this year is not a shiny new object but is to de-stress.
What we all want most this year is to de-stress.
I see it every day.
This year give them what they need the most, and you've got early access to this special deal. (The links down below are private so don't share them before they go live.)
Friday-Monday only, we've got the following specials on float memberships:
Gift One Month of Basic Membership - $55 (One float credit)
Gift Their First Two Months of a Biweekly Membership - $175 (Four float credits)
For the avid floater or flexible membership, 12 floats for $500 (12 float credits)
Even though there's no expiry on these float credits, you already know that regular floats are one of the best ways to include recovery time in your schedule.
So whether you want to gift yourself with some floats, or spread the joy of floating this holiday season, now's the time.
View all the offers here:
Fight or Flight or Float?... Managing The Stress Response To Your Life
When your threat detection system goes off and your spidey sense starts tingling as the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, how do you respond?
Do you fight or do you flee?
We are all familiar with the feeling that floods in when we become aware of a threat in our surroundings.
Heart rate skyrockets, breathing becomes rapid and shallow, we get that tingling sensation as our blood flows from our core to our limbs to mobilize us for action to escape this threat.
While much less common today, this autonomic response to stress or threats was instilled to protect us from the jaguar hidden in the jungle only given away by the subtle sound of a twig snapping or the need to sprint after the deer to feed your family as it tries to get away.
When our sympathetic nervous system is engaged, we are in full-force action mode to handle anything in our way.
Working opposite to our sympathetic response is the relaxation response known as rest and digest. It helps to keep stress levels in check and takes over when we feel safe and secure. With this parasympathetic activation, our breathing and heart rate slow down and as blood can return to our core, our digestive system becomes more active again and we’re also more likely to be sexually aroused.
There are important functions to both sympathetic and parasympathetic responses in our bodies and we depend on the ability to engage in fight or flight to deal with short-term challenges.
The problem that we face today is that stress has become a constant in our lives. The kids are late for school, then someone cuts you off in traffic, so now you’re running late to get to work and you get chewed out by your boss.
And this is all before 9 am while guzzling down a stimulating pot of coffee.
Our days go by like this constantly and even if we try to stay positive, that threat detection system is used to working subconsciously to protect us.
Even before the booming threat of the pandemic, stress levels were already on the rise, especially in cities where there’s a constant din of noise, motion, and interaction keeping our nervous systems buzzing. Everybody says that they’re stressed and in a constant state of avoiding overwhelm and having to deal with COVID hasn’t helped anyone.
Finding ways to unwind and get our bodies into the relaxation response is one of the best things we can do for our physical and mental health. When the term “relaxation response” was first coined by Herbert Benson, he came up with a protocol for practicing relaxation and eliciting the response.
The original steps for the relaxation response look very similar to a beginner practice of mindfulness and that’s because Dr. Benson is often credited with familiarizing his Western audience with meditation through rebranding it as the “Relaxation Effect.”
Meditation is a tricky thing though because despite rebranding it or rephrasing the concept, most people don’t know how to get started with meditation in a meaningful way that feels like something positive.
But that’s where float tanks come in.
Most people are curious to try out the float experience and to escape from the world in the nearly complete way that only floating can allow for.
It’s not surprising given the many studies that have found floating in a float tank brings on the relaxation effect as well as the benefits that come with that. And this is in part due to how many people describe floating as a sort of training wheels for meditation. It’s like your mental filing cabinet where your brain is able to turn down the noise and sort out the thoughts that tend to swirl around uncontrollably.
People coming in to float notice in real-time the benefits for reducing stress, improving mood, and also helping to increase focus as you return to the outside world.
The float tank environment is the perfect place to turn off that stress response that is ever-present in our lives today. It’s a safe and comfortable space to engage our relaxation response and let go of everything.
Depending on how you like to float, you can completely tune out from all the stimuli that are normally present and keep our fight of flight response actively engaged. You get to choose calming music or blissful silence and the comfort of lights if you don’t want to immerse yourself in complete darkness.
The next time that you feel you're fed up with life and ready to lose it, instead of running away from your problems or getting into an argument, give yourself a time-out to engage your relaxation response. Or even better, treat yourself to a float and relax every muscle in your body while your brain gets to have a complete rest as well.
New Research Supports Float Therapy For Treatments of Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia is a notoriously difficult condition to treat but new research into float therapy has opened up a promising solution for supporting those with anorexia.
While much of the news and many scientists around the globe are still inundated by the pandemic, research continues to go on towards quieter pursuits. And as we continue to face stress and feelings of overwhelm, there’s some good in knowing that all hope is not lost for the things that make us feel good.
Floating is known to be an effective treatment for reducing generalized and acute anxiety and new research into the depths of float therapy is now looking at its effects on helping with anorexia and the immune system.
Dr. Sahib Khalsa has been looking at long-term research on anorexia nervous a patients over the last four years at the Float Clinic and Research Center at the LIBR (Laureate Institute for Brain Research). Anorexia continues to be one of the most severe mental disorders in terms of mortality rate and difficulty of treatment. Looking at the effects that floating might have in the treatment of anorexia nervous is highly important and shining a spotlight on the great benefits that natural and safe therapies like floating can have.
So far what the research is uncovering is that floating seems to benefit anorexia patients in two main areas - anxiety levels and body image.
The most significant findings from the research has been showing that floating helps in reducing the anxiety levels in patients, which reflects similar results on float therapy done in studies on healthy individuals as well as those who are dealing with chronic anxiety.
Anxiety levels in the patients with anorexia were reduced by up to 20%, and the biggest effect happens on those with the highest baseline anxiety levels. So floating is great for everyone with anxiety but has the most pronounced effect on those who are in need of the most relief. This is consistent with other research that regularly finds the greatest reductions in anxiety come to those dealing with the most severe anxiety.
The findings on adjusting perceived body image, while not at dramatic as the changes in anxiety levels, is still a significant result coming out of this research. Anorexia tends to be a long lasting and chronic condition in part because there’s a misalignment between the patients’ perceived body weight and real body weight and image. The patients incorporating float therapy saw a shift in how they viewed their body and their idea body type started to realign with a healthier body type. This change was viewed after only a few floats so as further evidence comes out, this result may become even more significant for what long-term float therapy can do for patients with anorexia and body image disorders.
Because of the nature of long-term research, the full results of Dr. Khalsa’s research won’t be complete until 2023 at the earliest but this information is still promising enough at this time to take note of.
If you know anyone with anorexia, consider inviting them in for a float or sharing this article with them to explore float centre’s in their hometown. Dr. Khalsa spent much of the early work into this research establishing the psychological and physical safety of floating for patients with anorexia to be assured there weren’t any contraindications.
Try This To Bust Stress and Boost Your Immune System This Fall
As we start a new school year, we’ve all got a mixed sense of optimism and concern over what colder weather and classmates gathering together might bring.
Needless to say, it’s been stressful. And that’s exactly the last thing you want when trying to stay healthy this fall.
Stress negatively affects our immune system when it goes unchecked and staying healthy and having a strong immune system has undoubtedly become one of the most important goals we all keep top of mind.
So whether you’re a teacher, student, or concerned parent, let’s talk about how to get a handle on your stress levels to become healthier and prevent illness.
Floating Helps Improve Your Immune System
Chronic stress happens when we get stuck in a never-ending loop of fight or flight fear. The sympathetic nervous system helps us to engage with threats and we react to our environment with a heightened state of alertness. In our modern world, this threat detection system has gone haywire due to nonstop stimulation whether the threat is real or perceived. Over time if we don’t get a chance to calm down, this wears down our bodies though, making us experience symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and a compromised immune system.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve had your fair share of sleepless nights lately, ruminating thoughts of the negative news and uncertainty about what’s coming next.
Float therapy works so well against anxious thoughts and by reducing our stress levels. Clinical evidence shows that it helps to reduce cortisol levels, the hormone that gets out of control when we are chronically stressed. The safe, relaxing, and quiet space of the float tank also is a miracle when it comes to reducing anxiety. By having no distractions or stimulation around us, the float pod or float cabin is like a sanctuary for the mind and with peace and tranquility, our thoughts slow down and settle into a more calm and clear state.
This state of calm is exactly where we need to get to on a regular basis to counteract the stressful situation we are living through and dealing with. By taking the time to float, or practice any other restful state of recovery, you are proactively recharging in a way that supports a healthier immune system and you’ll better handle the stressors of your daily life.
Small Doses of Stress Train Your Immune System to Become Stronger
Even better than floating alone to strengthen your immune system is through small doses of stress in safe and healthy ways. Stress isn’t all bad, it’s only when it becomes a constant in your daily life that it gets out of control and will start to negatively impact you.
Short exposure to stressors makes you more resilient.
These small doses of stress come from healthy practices like
Working out
Sauna
Contrast therapy using hot and cold plunges
Add in a relaxing float after any of these small and short-lived doses of stress and you’ll be actively training your nervous system to handle stress better, which will also improve your immune system to help you fight off illnesses.
Make a plan to include a sauna session before your next float or book in a float on a day that you’ve done a hard workout to help reset your body and recover.
Float Into A New Way To Relax and Feel Your Best This Summer
After being cooped up for most of 2020 and the start of this year, we’ve all been eager to get back to some level of normal and that means prioritizing self-care as well.
Floating is one of the best ways to improve almost any experience, whether it’s through the serenity of practicing self-care alone or to help with recovery as you get back to doing the other things your love after many months off.
The Cooldown Float
As we get back into our workout routines and local sports leagues, floating after you get your heart rate up can be a great way to bring it back to baseline.
Research shows that athletes at any skill level who incorporate floating into their training and recovery programs are able to recover faster and increase their performance more than without floating.
Because the water in the float tank is the same as skin temperature, you won’t overheat. Floating helps to reduce blood pressure so you’ll come out of the float feeling restored post-workout.
Appreciate the Little Things
The post-float glow that comes after getting out of the float tank is one of the greatest blissed out feelings that we can have. And this is a perfect time to stop and appreciate the beauty around you.
Your senses become heightened after the sensory reduced environment of the tank, so there’s no better time to stop and smell the roses, literally! As all of our senses are vibing out after a float, food tastes better, music sounds better, and sunshine feels cozier than ever after getting out of a float.
So take some extra me time after your next float this summer to snuggle with your pets or relax and enjoy the sun in a hammock. You will come to find you’ll appreciate new things about these experiences.
Floating Into The Sunset
This already sounds like a great idea, doesn’t it? Given how much floating relaxes us and adjusts our reactionary behaviours, many floaters will adjust their schedules for the rest of the day after a float.
Sunset is one of the most magical times of the day and we need to more often stop and bask in the awesomeness of it. Finding a good spot to watch the sunset like at the lake, during a hike, or on a patio is always a worthwhile moment to pause for and that much better after a float has turned down the chatter going on in your head.
With longer days in the summer, it’s easier to book an afternoon or evening float to unwind and still time it perfectly to get to your favourite lookout to watch the sunset.
Float when you go on vacation
As your local float centre, we hope that you think of Flow Spa as, if not a second home, at least a second living room, and one of your favourite places to go. For regular floaters, it can feel like a trade-off when going on vacation because we miss out on the comforts of our familiar float tank routines.
But just because you’re out of town or on vacation doesn’t mean you have to give up your regular floats. There are float centres starting in more and more towns all the time. It can be fun to see how other float centres operate and if you find any cool ideas, be sure to let us know!
Floating is also beneficial for resetting your circadian rhythms so if you’re feeling jet lag from travelling, it can really help you to stay on track with your schedule.
Be sure to book an extra float with us when you get back to continue on that vacation feeling and make the transition easier as you return home.
Late night floats are great for winding down
Whether it’s gathering with friends and family again after so long, or getting back into a workout routine, we’re all trying to make the most out of this summer and doing it big. It’s important not to overextend yourself when celebrating or getting out more often to stay healthy and avoid burning out as your capacity ramps back up.
Whether you’re training for a marathon or long-distance bike ride, crossing things off your bucket list, or just hanging out at late night bonfires to take back this summer, going for a float as a way to decompress and recover is going to help you to prevent exhaustion and burnout.
And this list just barely scratches the surface of all the ways you are likely going to make the most of this summer. But hopefully it gives you some inspiration to make floating a part of your summer routine as a reminder to appreciate the small things that we so often take for granted.
After a year of forgotten dreams and quiet isolation, let’s make the rest of this summer worth the wait and float to make the most of it!