Wellbeing

NH’s Talking About: Flotation Therapy

Stressed? Burnt out? Feeling anxious? Why not float away your worries with this popular wellness trend…

While many of us love having a bath to help us relax, the action of floating can be more therapeutic that you might think. Research shows that people who suffer with anxiety and stress-related disorders experienced significant reductions in tension, muscle pain and depression, as well as improvements in their mood, after just one hour in a flotation pod. In fact, many say that flotation therapy can be even more effective than regular mediation.

The science behind it

“People float for relaxation, better sleep, relief from anxiety and stress, to boost creativity, and increase their focus and productivity,” says Ed Hawley, co-founder of floatworks.com.“It’s also proven to be an effective remedy for issues such as high blood pressure, injury, chronic pain, and serious mental health conditions. It helps people reconnect with themselves and observe their breath and their thoughts. It also allows people to build and develop their meditation practice, and gives a similar feeling of peace. Many people come to Floatworks for the same reasons they do yoga and meditation – to calm, explore, and heal their minds.”

Light as a feather

At flotation-therapy hotspots, pods are specially designed to help with the flotation experience. “The water in each pod contains half a tonne of highquality Epsom salts, which allows you to float. Plus the temperature of the water is the same as your skin and the air, which means you feel completely weightless,” says Ed. “You can often turn the light off in the pods, which means you’re free from sound, light and, with no sense of touch, your sympathetic nervous system reaches a deep state of relaxation. With your spine also free from the impact of gravity, your body and mind can heal and replenish.”

Dive deeper

“Floating is a meditative experience: it helps people reconnect with themselves, stand back from their daily lives, and observe their breath and their thoughts,” says Ed. “Some say that floating allows them to go deeper than meditating at home and connect with their thoughts in a different way from what their regular practice allows them to do.”

First time floater

You may be sceptical at first, but much like mediation, flotation therapy can take a bit of practice before you reap the full benefits. “The main thing I’d recommend for a first-timer is to remember that it can take a while to get used to being in such a different environment,” says Ed. “The best thing you can do is to take some time to relax and clear your mind before your float, and not expect yourself to be completely zen for the whole hour. Our minds will throw up some thoughts when we’re in the pod, but it’s the perfect place to put them gently to one side.”