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Float Therapy Fundamentals: Things To Know Before You Try It

7 April 2022 by Chester Williams

With everything from cell phones and televisions to digital billboards and crowd sounds, there's sensory input coming from all directions in today's modern world. That can get overwhelming for some people. Sensory overload can lead to all sorts of symptoms, including difficulty focusing, irritability, stress, restlessness, and general overwhelming feelings. With the increase in sensory input and processing challenges, there's been an overwhelming effort put into sensory management as well. Float therapy, or sensory deprivation therapy, is one of those treatments. Here's a look at some of the things that you should know about float therapy.

Float Therapy Can Be Good For Your Skin

The solution in the sensory deprivation tank is an Epsom salt solution. Epsom salt is magnesium-rich, and the presence of Epsom salt in the temperature-regulated float tank can help to restore electrolytes and moisture to your skin, restoring its youthful appearance and keeping it healthy. The salt in the water is for buoyancy, as it helps you to float readily and easily. However, the skin benefits are just an added bonus.

Float Therapy Provides You With Isolation

The term "sensory deprivation" is an accurate one for float therapy. While you're enclosed in the float tank, you won't hear, see, smell, or taste anything. In reality, you won't even really feel anything because the solution in the tank is controlled at a temperature that's virtually identical to that of your skin so that you don't feel any difference. You'll just be in suspension in the tank. This allows you to rest in essential isolation, with no sensory input of any kind to distract you or draw your focus.

Float Therapy Session Times Can Vary

Float therapy is scheduled in sessions and is usually scheduled for periods of up to an hour. In most cases, you likely won't want to stay in the tank for more than an hour at a time, but up to an hour can be a revitalizing respite. 

You may want to start with shorter session times at first, though. This allows you to get used to the float tank before you extend your sessions. Sensory deprivation can be challenging at first, and it can be a shock to your system. That's why it's important to start gradually and increase your session times progressively.

You will find, though, that your perception of the time in the tank can vary widely. An hour can pass in what feels like a matter of minutes, and vice versa. Be prepared for that, and don't rely on your own personal perceptions.

Float Therapy Can Promote General Well-Being

One thing that many people don't think about when it comes to float therapy is the fact that the environment in the tank can actually contribute to overall well-being. When you immerse yourself in a sensory deprivation tank, you'll be able to fully relax, releasing stress and anxiety when you eliminate all of the sensory input. This relaxation can help you ease muscle tension and headaches, and it can also lower blood pressure when you relax and eliminate stress. This can contribute to improved overall health and well-being, which is a valuable benefit.

Float Therapy Is Most Effective In The Nude

When you talk with a float therapy specialist, he or she will typically advise that you enter the tank without your clothes. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, when you eliminate your clothing before you get into the tank, you ensure complete sensory deprivation because you won't have the feeling of the fabric on your skin. In addition, by getting into the tank without your clothes, you won't have to worry about any distractions caused by saturated clothing being hung up on anything or dragging you down in the solution.

These are some of the most important factors to think about when you're considering float therapy. The more you understand about sensory deprivation, the easier it is for you to decide whether or not this is the right treatment for you.

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