With increasing interest rates and rising costs of living, people are feeling the pinch right now, impacting stress levels which are at an all-time high. Data suggests that around 1 in 3 Australians identify anxiety and stress as the biggest detractor of their overall well-being. Fortunately, there are several things we can do to manage stress and anxiety, and float therapy is one of the most effective.
Float therapy, or sensory deprivation therapy, is a safe and non-invasive way to relax the body and mind. It involves floating in a room filled with highly concentrated magnesium-rich salt water, which creates a sensation of weightlessness and eliminates external stimuli such as light, sound, and touch. Even one float session can provide an immediate sense of relaxation that can last several days. Here are three ways float therapy reduces stress levels:
1. It promotes deep relaxation
Float therapy involves lying in a custom-built, spacious, and comfortable room filled with warm, highly concentrated magnesium-rich salt water. This dense solution makes it easy to float effortlessly, eliminating the effects of gravity on the body. Our float room’s design eliminates external stimuli such as light, sound, and other touch, creating a sensation of weightlessness that can promote a deep state of relaxation. Research shows that this type of relaxation can reduce cortisol levels, a stress hormone, and promote the release of endorphins, natural painkillers, and mood boosters. That’s why float therapy is widely used in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and jet lag to improve concentration and creativity.
2. It helps to improve sleep quality
Sleep is essential for reducing stress levels, and float therapy helps to improve sleep quality. Float therapy helps you to achieve a deep sense of relaxation which leads to better sleep quality, and this is especially beneficial for those who suffer from insomnia or sleep disturbances caused by stress or anxiety. Additionally, the sensory deprivation environment created during floating helps to reduce external stimuli that may be disrupting your sleep patterns. Another benefit of floating is that just one hour of floating has the restorative effects of 4 hours of sleep – a godsend for shift workers, new parents, and jet-lagged folk too.
3. It provides chronic pain relief
Chronic pain can have a significant impact on your overall well-being and quality of life. Luckily, float therapy is one solution for those experiencing fibromyalgia, arthritis, back pain, and other chronic pain conditions. By reducing stress levels and inducing a state of deep relaxation, float therapy helps to alleviate tension, reduce muscle soreness, and promote healing. During a float session, the feeling of weightlessness allows the muscles to relax, reduces tension, and promotes blood circulation. This increase in blood flow brings oxygen and essential nutrients to all parts of the body, providing relief to old injuries and aches – especially backaches. Athletes or individuals recovering from injury benefit significantly from floating, as it accelerates the recovery process and reduces muscle fatigue. Magnesium is dubbed the ‘anti-stress’ mineral. In our float rooms, you’ll be bathing in half a tonne of natural magnesium-rich salt helping you relax even more.
Additional benefits of float therapy
In addition to reducing stress, float therapy has a few other benefits, including:
- Improved mood
- Increased creativity
- Enhanced focus and concentration
- Reduced anxiety
- Boosted immune system
Is float therapy right for me?
Float therapy is a safe and effective way to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. Whether you’re looking for a one-time escape or a regular self-care routine, float therapy could be an excellent option for you. From decades of research into the therapy, the most benefit is gained when you commit to regular sessions. Whether this be weekly, monthly or whatever your budget and time allow, it’s the regularity of sessions where float therapy really delivers vast benefits to your life. If you’d like to learn more about how Saltuary can help you manage stress and anxiety through alternative therapies such as float, visit us in-store or call us to talk to one of our team.