Will floating really relieve stress and help you recover?.

Several sessions are said to improve sleep and reduce anxiety.

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What is floating

Floating, or floatation, is a therapy in which a person lies supine in a dark, quiet sensory deprivation pod, immersed in a magnesium sulfate solution. There you can freely stretch your legs and even spread your arms to the sides. The temperature of the liquid is the same as that of the body, so there is a feeling of weightlessness.

How floating can be useful

The effect of being in a capsule has not been fully studied. All research in this area has been conducted on small groups of people. Therefore, the results cannot be called accurate. But it is possible that floating has benefits.

Reduces anxiety

Researchers observed 50 people with anxiety disorders. It turned out that after 12 floating sessions, the subjects began to experience negative emotions less often, stress and anxiety decreased . Moreover, for many, the effect lasted for seven months.

Relieves depression

The same study showed this. Participants suffering from depression and burnout noticed that their mood improved after the first session. Scientists believe that this effect appeared due to relaxation and turning off external stimuli.

Reduces muscle pain

This effect was studied in 37 women and men suffering from chronic muscle pain in the neck and back. After 3 weeks of floating, people felt much better. Scientists have linked this to a decrease in stress hormone levels.

Protects the cardiovascular system

Scientists suggest that this effect occurs due to relaxation in the chamber and a decrease in stress. To test this, 65 women and men underwent 12 floating sessions. The researchers noticed that the subjects had fewer stress hormones in their blood, their blood pressure did not fluctuate, which means their cardiovascular system was not at risk.

Improves sleep

Muscle pain researchers noticed that people fell asleep more easily at night after floating. In another experiment, subjects reported improved sleep .

Speeds up recovery

In a small study, 60 athletes underwent floating sessions after training. Then the subjects answered questions about their mood and muscle condition. As it turned out, thanks to the procedure, people recovered faster physically and mentally.

Another experiment showed that resting in the capsule after exercise helps remove lactate from the muscles, which usually causes pain and discomfort.

Helps mental and creative performance

After floating, some describe their state as a reset of consciousness, a feeling of reboot that reveals creative abilities. Scientists suggest that staying in a capsule helps to escape from everyday thoughts and improve imagination, develop concentration and intuition, even get out of a creative crisis and increase your creativity.

How to prepare for floating

No special preparation or examination is needed before the procedure. It is enough to adhere to the following rules:

• Do not drink caffeinated drinks four hours before diving. They stimulate the nervous system and will not allow you to relax.
• Eat something 30 minutes before floating. Otherwise, hunger will also be a distraction.
• Do not shave or wax before the procedure. After all, salt water will cause irritation or burning.
• During menstruation, you can immerse yourself in the chamber if you use tampons.

How is floating carried out?

First you need to take off all your jewelry and clothes and take a shower. In the capsule you will lie and relax for about an hour. Calm music signals the beginning and end of the procedure. If you feel bad or scared, you can press the panic button and call the administrator. After floating, you will need to take a shower again to wash off the salt from your skin.

How much does floating cost?

The cost of one session starts from 1,500 rubles. Some centers offer to immediately purchase a subscription for 10 procedures with an additional discount or combine floating with massage and other relaxation methods.