While it can sound horrifying while floating in a sensory deprivation tank, it has the opposite effect. Magnesium-saturated water (a kind of epsom salt) keeps you safe so you don’t have to think about remaining in the bath at a temperature that suits the skin. You’re wrapped in a cocoon of comfort and quietness with little to see, eat, smell, sense, or sound, only holding your thoughts company. The magic of floating lies here–it puts you in a meditative state to heal better what is of interest to you.
- Floating lowers anxiety and depression and stimulates sleep. Under pressure, you may warn the adrenal gland to release the stress hormone adrenaline and cortisol through your hypothalamus (almondsize section of your brain just above your stroke). Chronic stress leads to a hypothalamus that can cause depression. Floating helps to battle depression and anxiety by reducing the development of cortisol. For one study, the pain, tension, anxiety, depression, as well as improved sleep quality and overall morale were worsened for people who floated for 12 hours. The findings were collected four months after floating.
- This reduces stress. Floating fails in two major forms. First, the magnesium of the water inhibits ACTH, a hormone that releases the stress hormone cortisol from your adrenal drums. Magnesium also improves the quality of sleep and helps to make you feel less stressed. The sensory deprivation portion of float reduces stress as well. In a recent study, people floating 8 times in two weeks witnessed a 21.6 percent reduction in their cortisol. The level of cortisol also decreased 50.5 per cent, i.e., unpleasant conditions were better addressed without cortisol bursts.
- Floating alleviates pain in the body. In a single study floating was an integral part of pain treatment programs for people with chronic, stress-related muscle pain and burnout-related depression. As floating oxygenates you by encouraging vasodilatation— improved blood flow to the brain, organs and limbs— it minimizes muscle pain, even pain from herniated or degenerative disc disease. Floated pressure, muscle tension, fatigue, anxiety and depression are significantly reduced for those suffering from fibromyalgia. Floating in the same group of people often increases feelings of calm, health, vitality and easy movement.
- Floating increases the efficiency of athletes. Floating allows you to recover from exercises more easily by raising blood lactic acid. By floating the burden of gravity, lactic acid passes out of the muscles more quickly, reducing overall muscle rigidity and pain. A review of basketball players found strong evidence of developing sporting abilities after floating. This can be due to a lower floating arousal post allowing the players to keep their focus better while shooting foul pictures.
- Creativity results from floating. The floating also benefits the artists, authors and innovative performers. A research in Music and Medicine has shown that floating has improved musicians ‘ technical skills through jazz improvisation.
- It improves the health of the cardiovascular. Flotation-REST treatment will enhance your cardiovascular health through the introduction of deep relaxation to reduce stress and improve sleep. High blood pressure and cardio-vascular disease is linked with chronic stress and sleep privation.
