What is it? Floating in a dark, quiet, enclosed space. Researchers refer to it as flotation restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST), or sensory isolation floating.
Why would you do it? Quieting the nervous system in gravity-free surroundings seems to allow the body to relax and recover from ailments, and the mind to focus. There are also benefits associated with the magnesium in the water. Plus, the NBA's Steph Curry loves it and credits it for making him great on-court.
The evidence is not just anecdotal. Scientists have studied the effects of floating on people who have problems ranging from PTSD to chronic back pain. They've also studied people who are well, considering flotation as a preventive health measure. The research shows positive effects: lower levels of cortisol and blood pressure, decreases in stress, anxiety and pain, and increases in mindfulness, optimism and sleep quality.
My take? The idea of being put in the type of float pod I'd seen decades ago (like a barrel with a closed lid) sounded panic-inducing rather than soothing. That changed when I found out about a new generation of tanks that look like big bathtubs. I headed to Minnetonka's Sanctuary Float Spa to check out their float operation.
The setup: Abby Sather, the manager, greeted me and showed me to a private locker room with a bench, clothes hooks, mirror and shower door. Behind the door was a shallow, wide tub, filled with 1,000 pounds of pharmaceutical-grade Epsom salt dissolved in water. That saline saturation makes you float.
She pointed out dials on the wall of the tub that controlled lights, music and an intercom, in case I needed to call for help. On the opposite wall was a metal handrail, and tucked behind that were two small foam pillows. "Your head will float, but your body will instinctively try to hold it up, and that can cause tension," she said, "So these are here if you need them." She tucked a towel behind the rail, too. "If you get salt in your eyes, it will sting. If you get it in your mouth, it will taste awful," she said. "This is to wipe off."
She asked me to shower before and after I soaked and informed me I'd be floating nude "since we like to keep impurities from fabrics from getting in the tank." While most people recline in the tank, she said I could also sit or stand if I needed to. She explained that she'd gradually dim the lights until the room was completely dark. When my hour was up, she'd raise the lights and turn up the music.
What's it like? I showered, put in the earplugs, and stepped into the tank. The water was body-temperature. I sank down, stretched out and ... floated. Slowly, the lights dimmed. I could hear only my breath, my heartbeat and a little splashing when I moved. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face.
