Flotation Tanks Therapeutic Benefits
One of the less publicized methods of stress relief among holistic approaches is the flotation tank. The purpose of a float is to completely relax you and ease pain and quiet the mind. Research has shown that a float in a flotation tank is useful for reduction of blood pressure, reducing stress hormones and improving depression.
Other areas that it was found to be helpful are improvement of chronic pain and sometimes easing the discomfort and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. In our fast paced, high tech society, some of the decreasing of stress could be due to the isolation of the flotation tank.
Just being away from cell phones, computers, email, texting and the constant stimulation is beneficial to quiet the mind. Usually, the flotation tanks measure approximately 4 feet by 8 feet and are filled with about 10″ of water to which is added 800 to 1,000 pounds of epsom salts.
This vast quantity of salt in ratio to the water makes the body automatically float with little or no effort. The user of the flotation tank showers first and then puts in earplugs to block any outside noise. The area for the flotation tank is kept entirely dark.
Sometimes, the consumer using the flotation tank feels a little claustrophobic at first when stepping in the door. Usually, once they are in complete darkness and quiet, this apprehension disappears.
The experience of a float in a flotation tank is often compared to what it must have felt like in the womb. There’s complete quiet and darkness and the sensation of being cradled, weightless and warmth.
Cost probably varies from one wellness center to another. The one near here, locally, has a cost of $50.00 for a one hour float. Flotation tanks are useful for meditation aids due to their isolation, relaxation and deprivation of sensory stimuli.
Other claims made for flotation tanks are skin softening, detoxification and treatment of eczema and psoriasis. These claims have little scientific evidence to back them up. Many people find flotation tanks very helpful if they have a high stress job and need to really relax just to break the tension.
One of the reasons that flotation tanks have stayed relatively under the radar in the holistic healing remedies is because of their size and the high cost of constant maintenance. They can be found at wellness centers and you could search the internet to look for one near your location.