A sensory deprivation tank is also referred to as "float therapy." It has been around for hundreds of years. It allows your body to slip into a deep, meditative state without any external stimulants. In the chamber, the salt content is so high that it makes the water very dense. It feels like you are being pushed to the surface when you float in it. It is also kept at body temperature, which allows you to become so relaxed that you don't even feel it anymore.
I personally don’t like the dark or tight spaces, and you are probably thinking then, "Why do it?" When you think about it, though the environment is completely in your control and you can get out at any time, you can also use the time however you would like, and you are completely alone with your thoughts. Not many things can go wrong (trust me, I thought of every worst case scenario). It shouldn't have been scary, yet I was slightly petrified. Having struggled with an eating disorder, I learned over the years of treatment to be mindful and in touch with my emotions. Often times, I would rather run from my problems than deal with them, and being alone with them is not really appealing, but I knew it was what I needed.
When I first went into the chamber, I started to panic, but I knew that in order for me to reap the benefits of the process, I would have to turn the lights off. So I made myself turn them off as soon as I starting floating. I don't think I have ever experienced pure darkness in the same way. Even when my eyes were open, it felt like they were closed. I bumped the sides of the tub a few times and freaked myself out because I no longer had a sense of where I was floating in the tub. All I could hear was my pounding heartbeat and rhythmic breathing.
My thoughts ran all over the place for a while until I was finally able to just relax. Once I achieved a relaxed state, I just felt like a floating brain. I was no longer in touch with my body or surroundings – I was just being. I had no sense of time or anything worldly. Have you ever just thought about purely nothing? It is pretty crazy. After being in a deeply relaxed state for a while, I started stretching and moving the dense salt water. Everything felt so surreal. I started to smile in the midst of my detached state. It was extremely liberating; I felt like I was coming alive for the first time. I found a new appreciation and gratefulness for my body after floating. It was like hitting a restart button and finally waking up. I felt a new sense of euphoria and relaxation.
After floating, it took a little while to get my bearings back. Everything after floating felt very light. I had no urge to look at my phone or do anything except be still and process. Things that usually take so long to achieve, I was able to feel in a 90-minute session. I spent the majority of that day just being in the moment. It also helped me reach a deeper state of mindfulness overall, and I will definitely be doing it again. I feel like each time will intensify as I become accustomed to the extensive meditative state.
I think everyone can benefit from this experience. You can get as much out of it as you put into it. Life is just chaotic and although we know that, very seldom are we actually free from any distractions. I think this could be an amazing spiritual experience for some, and it also had lots of health benefits. I had my amazing experience at the Flo2s in Atlanta, Georgia. Everything was very clean, safe and made me feel wholesome.
