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Practice GratitudeThis Memorial Day
5Ways to Increase Your Family’s Fitness
This ADA Study Offers Validity to Dr. Jelinek’s Favorite Reminder
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Do I Need a Special Sleep Apnea Pillow?
Grilled CornWith Plant-Based Aioli
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Does FloatTherapy Really Work?
Does FloatTherapy Really Work?
SWIM INTO THE LATEST HOL I STIC HEALTH TREND
The tank is white, shiny, and oblong — just big enough for a human to lie down in. When you open it, eerie blue light pulses out along with steam from the water inside. A calm voice from over your shoulder tells you to step in. Would you do it? That image probably brings to mind an alien pod from an outer space movie, but it actually describes a real-life spa treatment here on Earth: float therapy. The concept of float therapy is as simple as it sounds. You step buck naked into a sensory deprivation tank filled with a foot of heavily salted water. Then you lie down, close your eyes, and someone else shuts the lid. You’re encased in complete womb-like silence and darkness. That’s when restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST) can begin.
sleep. John Lennon, Jeff Bridges, Elle Macpherson, and even Homer and Lisa Simpson are fans — but does hanging out in a tank really live up to the hype? In 2004, a survey of 27 studies published in the journal Psychology & Health found that “REST has positive effects on physiology (e.g., lower levels of cortisol, lower blood pressure), well-being, and performance.” The survey’s authors called float therapy a “useful stress management tool.” More recently, a 2014 pilot study with 65 participants found that those who enjoyed 12 float therapy sessions over seven weeks experienced significantly decreased stress, depression, anxiety, and pain. They were also more optimistic and slept better than a control group of nonfloaters who had “no significant results” over seven weeks. That particular study relied on questionnaires, so it’s possible some of the benefits were due in part to a placebo effect. However, in the stressful times we’re living in, even imagined relief might be worth the $50–$100 it costs for a float session. To find a float therapy site near you and judge for yourself, visit FlotationLocations.com.
Dr. John Lilly, a neuroscientist studying sensory deprivation, pioneered float therapy in 1954. Today, it’s gaining traction as a popular holistic health treatment, perfect for those who prefer to unwind in isolation. The health benefits supposedly include relaxation, pain reduction, creativity, and better
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