A week ago, I was given the opportunity to try a float tank, or sensory deprivation tank. The float tanks were located at a spa in Louisville called Weightless Float Center – and I highly recommend it! To schedule a float, you make a reservation ahead of time for a specific date and time and check in at the front desk. By the register they offered some cute gifts, books, and general knick-knacks that you could purchase – all focusing on overall wellness and health, both spiritually and physically.
Once my boyfriend and I were checked in, the worker led us through a hallway – lit up with luminous pink lights – into a waiting room. The waiting room had beautiful, bright yellow couches and chairs as the focal point. A modern wooden coffee table complimented the couches, with an alluring, geometric mirror above the main couch. By the entrance stood a bookshelf/desk which was adorned with a variety of books and hot tea or water. A small, fake fireplace was lit to add even more to the overall ambiance of the waiting room. I didn’t want to leave!
The worker showed us to our float tank rooms and gave us instructions and how-to’s. Each room had a shower, bench, the float tank (obviously), and a robe. The showers included natural and sulfate-free shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. There were individual-use ear plugs and packets of petroleum jelly to put on minor cuts that might get easily stung from the salt water. We were each instructed to shower before the float, rinsing off natural oils and makeup. The float tanks had a waterproof LED light, which you could turn on or off, a washcloth to wipe your face, and a floating head pillow in case you wanted extra support. I found that this wasn’t necessary but helped to keep the salt water off your face and out of your eyes.
Once the worker finished giving us information, I got into my room and closed the door. I was now alone, and I started to get nervous. I took a deep breath, showered, and got in the float tank. I was hesitant to lay down and close the door to the tank behind me, but I did just that. I kept the blueish LED light on as I’ve been notorious for being slightly fearful in the dark – especially when in an enclosed space. When I fully laid down, I was very surprised at how effortlessly my body floated. The float tanks have a high Epsom salt solution which makes your body float incredibly easily; the water is also heated to be body temperature so that the boundary between human skin and water eventually fades away. Any initial nerves I had about the tank and fear of claustrophobia began to dissolve, and I allowed myself to fully relax.
After a few minutes, I decided that the LED light was too bright for my liking. Despite not being a fan of the dark, I decided to turn off the light, in which I was engulfed in complete darkness. Instead of scaring myself with intrusive thoughts, I allowed myself to relax and tried to fend away any fear. Surprisingly, I ended up much preferring the dark than having a light on, so I kept it off for the rest of the float! I tried to quiet my mind and stay in the present, which was pretty successful except for the fact that I was eagerly waiting to eat Olive Garden’s five cheese ziti after the float. Ninety minutes went by quickly, and I emerged from the tank with a refreshed and revitalized composition. The only downside was that the salt left a weird film on my skin, but I was able to easily rinse it off in the shower afterward.
If you like to try new things and indulge yourself in unique experiences, then I would highly recommend trying out a float tank at least once in your lifetime. Everything about the spa itself contributed to the experience of it, and I would definitely go back and do it again. I felt the aftereffects of the float for hours after it ended and acquired that post-float glow. Floats are also acclaimed to have many advantages such as better pain management, increased immune function, stress reduction, improved creativity, and a vast amount of other physical and mental benefits. I usually have a sore back, neck, or something that acts up with my body, but after the float I felt painless. I can see these being highly effective for athletes or people who work out a lot – and that’s just for the physical benefits! I know I’ll be making my way back to Weightless for another float in the future, I just don’t know when. I’ll be highly anticipating my next float, however.
Sources: https://www.weightlessky.com/benefits-to-float-therapy