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June 27, 2023

Eight hours of ‘sleep’ in one hour: What float therapy is really like

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: — admin @ 5:06 am

In our daily lives the brain is constantly processing sensory input – processing the equivalent of a whopping 11 million bits of information per second.

So it is no surprise that when things get extra stressful sometimes, all you want to do is switch off completely. But it can be hard to be able to do that in most of your usual surroundings.

That’s where one of the newest wellness trends can come in quite handy – float therapy.

Float therapy or sensory isolation in a flotation tank is a method known for inducing deep relaxation, also referred to as R.E.S.T (Restricted environmental stimulation therapy).

READ MORE: Five self-care rituals you can do in 10 minutes

float therapy at city cave
Float therapy involves lying in a floatation tank to invoke sensory isolation. (City Cave)

To see what all the fuss was about we were invited to City Cave Penrith to give float therapy a go.

After a brief tour of the Float & Wellness Centre (that also offers infrared sauna and massage therapy) by franchise owner Kevin Lee, we watched a brief orientation video on what to expect and then suited-down for the first experience.

The float lasts for an hour all up (including pre- and post- showers) and it is recommended that you do three sessions across an eight week period to help your body acclimatise to the experience.

What was it like?

There are a few choices you have to make that are completely up to you and your comfort levels. You can choose to wear bathers or remain naked, you can have relaxing music on the entire time, for the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes, or have it remain completely silent.

Then there is also a light button next to the pool to turn all the lights off so you are completely in the dark. Of course you can also leave them on.

READ MORE: Five exercises everyone should do to maintain strength for life

city cave penrith float therapy pool
You can turn the lights in the room on and off. (Supplied/Nine)

You also receive ear plugs to wear so that you’re not scrubbing salt out of your ears for the next week!

After your pre-shower you hop into the pool with water heated to the human body temperature and filled with 400 kilograms of Epsom salt.

It’s only calf deep but you’ll float to the top almost immediately and promptly find yourself in a zero gravity state.

Turning the lights off can seem daunting, but it’s worth it to help you switch off completely. The first session I left the music going the whole time and I could tell my mind wanted to sleep, but my body wasn’t used to the experience yet so we had a few ‘sleep starts’ or jumps.

One hour spent in a float tank is the equivalent of eight hours of sleep.

For the second session I opted to have the music on only at the beginning and the end and I fell asleep. By the third session it didn’t take long again for sleep to find me and every time I came out of the session feeling completely at ease.

You can spend as much time afterwards in the centre’s relaxation lounge until you feel ready to face the world again.

city cave penrith
Hang out in the relaxation lounge afterwards. (Nine/Supplied)

Benefits of float therapy

When in an environment of sensory deprivation (no light, no sound, in body temperature water), the brain gets a chance to stop all of the overwhelming processes and rest and restore, in what is effectively an intervention for the entire nervous system.

Floatation eases the brain into the slower and calmer frequencies such as Alpha – a state that soothes anxiety and unlocks creativity, and Theta, which is a deeply healing state.

The salt in the bath then helps your body relax and recover as well. Not to be confused with internal prescription, the Epsom salts contain magnesium sulphate, a natural muscle relaxer as well as an anti-inflammatory mineral that helps the body to detoxify when used via external absorption within a body of water.

When combined, one hour spent in a float tank is said to be the equivalent of eight hours of sleep.

Float therapy can also:

  • Reduces Inflammation
  • Assist with chronic pain management
  • Help with muscle and athletic recovery
  • Improve immune health
  • Aid in the regulation of blood pressure

The writer was a guest of City Cave Penrith. Always consult your doctor before trying any new wellness program.

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