Sleep and floating, the misconception.

By Joy Hodson

It occurred to me when I was floating that a lot of my clients come out saying “I didn’t go to sleep” and I realized this is one of the misconceptions about floating and maybe has come about by my saying “A one hour float is equivalent to up to 8 hours of sleep” and a lot of my clients come because they are finding it hard to sleep.

When you are floating it does not make you fall asleep as such,

but rather it relaxes the brain into the Theta State, which is the condition of lucid dreaming or the meditative state. So the chatter that goes on in one’s mind whilst floating is not a bad thing (for those that say they couldn’t turn off their chatter box) as this is sub-conscious chatter. For the conscious mind has taken a back seat because this is a natural response to sensory deprivation and there may be some gems of information in your sub-conscious chatter but most can’t remember what the chatter was when they come out of Theta State, much like a dream.

Our brain can work with less clutter and more clarity.

I feel through my own experience of thousands of hours floating and listening to hundreds of people’s accounts of floating that our brain, which to me is like a computer, is defragmenting while floating, it sorts through our thoughts or places thoughts into the right folder, so our brain can work with less clutter and more clarity.

Flotation tanks are the only place we can experience this state of sensory deprivation

This is a very unique state for our brain: as far as I know flotation tanks are the only place we can experience this state of sensory deprivation and this is why it is equivalent to so much sleep as all these processes of freedom from gravity, weightlessness and sensory deprivation are taking place simultaneously.

Remember you don’t have to do anything, just float and everybody can float effortlessly in a floatation tank.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

Q- Will I get claustrophobic in the tank?
A- The tank is BIG it is as wide as a double bed and 1.4 meters high, so when you are floating on the water you can’t even touch the top.

Q- Can I get out anytime?
A- Yes it is just a sliding door and you are in control to open and close it at anytime.

Q- What if I panic in there?
A- You can just get out or there is an intercom button that you can press to alert staff to speak to. There is also a light that you can turn off/on at any stage of your float.

Q- Do you change the water in between people?
A- There is almost half a ton of Epsom salt in the tank so it is not possible to change the water every time, so there is a 4 stage automatic filtration system that effectively cleans the water in between floaters and every 2 hours when not in use to keep the water in pristinely clean condition.

Q- Are there any chemicals in the tank?
A- No chemicals are used, even in the cleaning of the tank or the room that it is in.

Q- What do I need to bring?
A- Bring what ever you comb your hair with and a water bottle for when you leave as you will probably be thirsty. We supply organic shampoo & conditioner, towels and a hairdryer. As you have a private room you don’t need a swimsuit.

Q- What if I fall asleep?
A- That is fine you can’t drown in the tank.

Q- Can anybody float?
A- Yes it doesn’t matter what age, shape or size you are you will float effortlessly. However I don’t allow people to float if they are menstruating, breastfeeding, have epilepsy, have colored or permed their hair within 7 days, have just shaven or waxed or are drunk. I would also want to know if you have kidney disease. Height limit 6ft3, weight limit 120kg.

Q- Is there anything I need to do to prepare to float?
A- You will get the most benefits out of your float if you drink lots of water and start the day before you float and avoid caffeine before you float.

Q- Is it safe during pregnancy?
A- Yes the water is only 34.8 – 35degrees this is relaxed skin temperature, in fact it is a wonderful way to take the weight off your entire body during pregnancy, with the added bonus of boosting your magnesium and sulfate which is essential for a healthy human.

Q- What is in the tank?
A- Just water and Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) Magnesium is the second-most abundant element in human cells and the fourth-most important positively charged ion in the body, also helps to regulate the activity of more than 325 enzymes and performs a vital role in orchestrating many bodily functions, from muscle control and electrical impulses to energy production and the elimination of harmful toxins. Sulfate Flushes toxins, improves absorption of nutrients, helps form joint and mucin proteins, brain tissue and helps prevent or ease migraine headaches.

Q- Is everybody successful at floating?
A- As with all different therapies not everybody will enjoy floating, you need to be open to a very different experience when you float and you may need to float a few times to really start to let go and allow the process of this profound relaxation of your body and mind. All experiences are different very rarely are two floats the same as each time you float you go deeper into the layers of your being.

Side veiw where you step into the tank, it is very hard to cature the size of the tank in a photo.to give you some idea it is as wide as a double bed and about chest high. when your floating your can't touch the top