By now, most people who are concerned about their health would have probably heard of R.E.S.T or floatation therapy which has become nothing less than a medical phenomenon that has taken the world by storm.
The modern-day float tank has a lot to offer individuals both mentally and physically which is why people from all walks of life subject themselves to the therapy. We say ‘modern day’ float tank because this is anything but a new therapy as the therapy has been in existence in its current format for more than half a century.
The current format where the therapy involving a sensory deprivation tank was invented by a Dr. John C Lily back in the early 60s. This therapy was an extension of the age-old practice of floating in the Dead Sea more than a thousand years ago.
The Dead Sea has a very high concentration of salt which helps people float effortlessly and prevent them from sinking. Floatation therapy on the other hand involves adding Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulphate) into water until the salinity is so high that it mimics the characteristics of the Dead Sea and floaters do not sink under the water and are able to in essence ‘defy gravity’.
Added to the fact that the solution is generally heated up to skin temperature, floaters will not be able to feel the water and will not be able to differentiate which part of their bodies are above water and which parts are below water.
Floating involves individuals being placed in Epsom salt solution filled compartments that are generally soundproofed and light proof for the exception of a UV light that are normally fitted into the compartment to not just provide a little light, but also helps in killing any microscopic germs that may be present.
For those who are trying out floatation therapy for the first time, the experience might be a little unnerving for the fainthearted; however, this feeling of anxiety normally dissipates within the first 15 minutes. After this period, floaters ease into a relaxed state of mind (deep relaxation) which is the most critical component that drives the effectiveness of floatation therapy.
This is because during floatation therapy the body ‘sets’ itself up for recalibration which is basically an optimisation process involving our entire biological construct. Everything from blood circulation, to oxygenation levels right up to hormonal balances and the inhibition of stress hormones is recalibrated during floatation therapy.
This is possible simply because floatation therapy is in essence about giving the mind “a break” from constant inputs received by our sensory apparatus. The ‘restricted environment’ basically blots out or minimises input through our receptors which include our eyes, nose, tongue, ears and skin, which leaves the brain with a large amount of raw processing power ‘untouched’.
This ‘untouched’ processing power is not wasted by any means as the brain redirects this ‘suddenly’ unused processing powertowards recalibrating our biological equilibrium.
Among the more significant positive impact that floatation therapy has on subjects include, better tolerance to pain, lower stress and anxiety levels, ability to sleep better and heal from physical injuries at a minimal 15 % faster rate.
