(But you might want to try this one!)
My therapist is always telling me I need to take time to relax. No, that’s not the setup for one of those quirky The New Yorker cartoöns, it’s the reality for those of us seeking treatment for insomnia.
So far I’ve found that a quick meditation exercise here and there offers some limited relief. But I was already looking to take it a step further when I came across an intro deal at a local float therapy spa.
I knew I had to give it a shot.
Float tanks — also known as sensory deprivation tanks — are like oversized enclosed bathtubs filled with body temperature filtered salt water. The goal is to relax deeply with as little external stimulation as possible.
The process is similar getting into a hot tub with a quick shower before and after. Since I had a private room I did this all in the nude, but swimwear is an option for those feeling prudish. I’d imagine anyone with long hair would probably want a shower cap or something similar to protect it.
Inside the tank you have to pull the lid closed, which is a bit tricky as you’ll start floating due to the buoyancy of the water the second you step into the thing. As you get situated, relaxing music plays for a couple minutes to get you in the mood.
In the tank there’s a couple of floating pillows to try, as well as a spray bottle of fresh water and a washcloth to be used if you get the saltwater in your eyes.
There’s a button to switch the color changing lights inside the pod off and on. In my pod at least it took a bit of pressure to activate, which sent me floating in the opposite direction.
During the hour long session, you’re supposed to try and quiet your mind. The intro video suggested counting backwards from 300. I kept noticing my thoughts intruding and guiding them back to center on the countdown. Not that I made it very far, but it’s not a race.
The term “sensory deprivation” is surprisingly apt; it feels like nothing is under you, and due to the temperature of the water there’s very little sensation of physical contact.
Getting out of the tank was a bit trickier than getting in due to being coated in a thick layer of slippery salt. After closing the lid I popped out the complementary earplugs, took a quick shower, and was good to go.
My first thought afterwards was: had it really been an hour? My watch said so, but the time absolutely flew by. I had the strangest sensation as though I’d somehow just taken a nap without falling asleep.
Would I do it again? At about $75 including the tip I probably would, assuming I got another discount offer. Perhaps that’s still expensive, but if going once and a while can help relieve insomnia it’s worth considering.
