If you live in a big city like New York or Los Angeles there’s always some new fad that folks are buzzing about. Most of these fads entail quite a bit of time or investment (think infrared sauna, red light therapy, celery juice…), and it can be hard to separate what’s actually worth putting resources towards. So, how does the latest one – floatation therapy – stack-up?
First off, you’re probably wondering what floatation therapy is.
“Typically a flotation therapy session entails an individual entering a pod chamber with soothing lights and music, the pods can be left open or closed,” says Mona Dan, an herbalist, acupuncturist and founder of Vie Healing. “There are high epsom salt levels providing buoyancy for floatation – meaning the person inside the chamber can float effortlessly on the surface of the water. The water is also heated to skin temperature. Before you walk into your pod, you rinse off and walk in completely nude. You lay for approximately an hour and allow your body to reset all its senses.”
Note that many floatation therapy sessions are done with closed pods, meaning the person inside is in the dark and these pods are usually sound-proof. Sessions typically last an hour and devotees go once a week.
What are the benefits of floatation therapy?
The benefits rely mainly on the relaxation of the nervous system. Floating is considered a sensory-free experience since you have little to no light and little to no sound, allowing people to more readily tune into their own bodies. “The antigravity pull of floatation allows the nervous system to take a moment to reset and recalibrate,” says Dan. “Flotation is also great for blood circulation. Floatation therapy is incredible for pain, stress, anxiety, sleep, digestion issues and much more! Floatation has also been researched to not only support sport performance, but also creativity. The reset of the nervous system is phenomenal for people with sensory issues as well.”
Bottom line: If you’re struggling to find your zen with traditional meditation, floatation therapy may be just what helps get you on the path towards inner peace.
