What to Expect and How to Get the Most from Float Therapy

It's easy to put things off when it feels like the rewards are somewhere in the distance or when it sounds too good to be true (i.e., a lack of instant gratification.) The good news with adding float therapy to your wellness routine is you get both!

A single float can be life-changing, but to maintain that shift, you have to keep doing it. It's like anything else in a routine; it works because you do it consistently. It also may take a few rounds to realize the full potential. Here's what you can expect as you begin float therapy:

Getting comfortable

Your first time in the pod can feel a little foreign, so it will likely take a few minutes to get used to the environment. You might feel downright clumsy, and you're not alone! It can be a challenge to relax your body at first, you may feel like you have to hold yourself up, but you don't.

Trust that the water will hold you (it will!), and you'll have a much better experience if you're not tensing up.  You can use a floatation neck pillow to support your head if that's more comfortable.

Throughout your float, scan your body for anywhere you can let go of tension. You’ll notice on your first float that you’re far more relaxed by the end of your session.

Feeling discomfort

Just as your stress, anxiety, and body pain are cumulative, so is the healing or management of them. Once you're comfortable in the pod, you may ease into relaxation, and you may also find it diagnostic as discomforts come to your attention.  It's easy to overlook a lot in our busy day-to-day, but not so much when you remove daily distractions.

If you feel anything nagging at you, chances are it will only last a few minutes and then begin to fade as pressure is relieved from your body. Floaters have reported that even chronic pains are gone, and they're pain-free while floating.  

Others have had issues brought to their attention that they're then able to address. Solitude owner, Matt Davis, said: "I was struggling during my first float because I was having sinus problems at the time and couldn't breathe through my nose."  

After that float, he scheduled an appointment with an ear, nose, and throat doctor who helped him address the issue, and it's completely changed his life.

Part of the wellness journey is diagnosing and addressing imbalances, so don't be discouraged at the thought. It can change your life for the better with something as simple as committing to an appointment you've been putting off.

Calming your mind

Once you find a comfortable floating position (typically, this is arms by your side, crossed on your chest, or above your head), you may think, "now what?" This is when many people have trouble quieting their minds.

Whatever experience you have, do your best not to resist it. See where it takes you! Your mind will chatter no matter what so, see what happens if you don't interrupt it.

The subconscious is incredible, and even though you feel like your mind is racing, it could be problem-solving or getting ready to pop a million-dollar idea into your conscious mind. At the very least, that word or name that's been on the tip of your tongue could very well show up during your float.

Even if you don't feel you "achieve" a particular state during your float session, you'll notice a shift when you re-enter your day. This is one of the many benefits that will make you want to float again.

Beyond the first float

After a couple of sessions to get acclimated to the experience, many floaters experience a breakthrough float. They can get into the pod and enter a resting state much quicker, allowing restoration to take the lead.

It becomes more therapeutic than diagnostic. In addition to the physical therapies delivered by the Epsom salt bath, alone time (ahem, solitude) is necessary for mental health. The standard recommendation for alone time is at least 20-30 minutes per day––more according to some, especially introverts.

The best way to get alone time? Schedule it the same way you schedule anything else crucial to your health. Though floating is a spa experience, it's not self-indulgent any more than it's indulgent to prioritize your health and wellness in other ways like making time to exercise.

If possible, schedule your floats at the same time weekly, so it becomes a natural part of your routine rather than something you're trying to fit into your calendar as an afterthought.

If you're wondering how often to float, as much as possible would be one answer. Once or twice weekly can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health. No amount is too little, but for consistent results, aim for at least twice a month.

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