We are the ‘plugged in’ generation – the generation that walks around with our heads down and phones out, the generation that works on a laptop with several tabs open while a Netflix show and music from a Bluetooth speaker plays in the background, and the generation with a constant flow of communication from phone calls, Facetime, texts, Instagram DMs, Facebook messages, emails – you name it – bombarding us every second of every day.
We are the generation that considers this overstimulation normal, never quite knowing what being ‘unplugged’ means.
So, when I first heard about the concept of a ‘float tank,’ my interest piqued. I don’t think I can remember a time since I turned 12 (when I received my first cell phone) where I spent an hour completely unconnected. However, after a weekend of blaring music, singing, dancing, and walking 40+ miles at Coachella, I decided to make the trek from Flatiron to Brooklyn to attend a much-needed float session at LIFT / Next Level Floats – the first float center dedicated entirely to the science of ‘floating.’
Side note: yes, there is a science behind float tanks. The first sensory deprivation tank appeared in the 1950s, when studies on the different states of consciousness were being performed in the US (more on that in a sec). Then, in the 1970s, these tank studies made the switch to the alternative healthcare realm and became commercialized and popularized – John Lennon was quick to hop on board the float tank trend and even had one in his suite at The Dakota. Today, each of LIFT’s float tanks are filled with 1,000 lbs of epsom salt, making them more buoyant than the Dead Sea. Floating in one of these babies literally takes all the pressure off of you…and your back, knees, shoulders, etc. The gravity-free environment has been shown to relieve high blood pressure, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue, meaning you are in the perfect setting for some serious relaxation.
However, while my ankles and back were indeed throbbing from such an intense weekend, I was much more interested in what mental and spiritual benefits a float tank could provide me with. Like I said before, I truly can’t remember the last time I sat completely alone, undisturbed, and unstimulated in a dark room, left to my mind’s own devices. However, while in a float tank, where there are no distractions or visuals of the outside world, one’s mind is free to wander, thanks to Theta brainwave activity. I know what you’re thinking: “what is this hippie chick talking about?”
Okay – stick with me here – Theta brainwave activity naturally occurs and is most commonly experienced during that weird in-between state of being awake and asleep. These unique brainwaves can also be accessed through a consistent practice of deep meditation. When in a Theta state, one often experiences vivid imagery (like a dream), but also the free flow of ideas, intuition, and information that isn’t as accessible during normal states of consciousness – especially now that we have all this technology to further distract us from this level of thinking.
Despite all of these studies that have touted the benefits of float tanks for decades, I was still skeptical as I walked into LIFT’s naturally lit oasis. I was convinced that there was no way I could quiet my mind for an entire hour and reap the benefits of a float tank session – it was all “woo-woo wellness” as far as I was concerned.
After being introduced to the clam-esque tank and the controls, I undressed, rinsed off, stepped into the epsom-salted water, and closed the lid of the tank. I played around with a few of the controls and decided that complete darkness and silence worked best for me. As I layed there, staring up into the pitch black darkness, I could have sworn I rolled my eyes, thinking this is going to be the worst, most boring, hour of my life. After about 10 minutes of trying to clear my head and think about nothing, I almost gave up on the entire experience. But then something weird happened. A few breaths later, all was still. My breath deepened, all of my limbs fell limp (still held comfortably up by the water, though), and it felt like I was dreaming with my eyes open. Some colors started appearing in my vision, eventually evolving into moving images. Then, before I knew it, a calm voice from underwater alerted me that my float session was over. I could feel my brain switching tracks and becoming conscious again. I slowly sat up in the tank, opened the lid, and clumsily stood up. My legs felt like Jell-O, but in the best way possible, and I felt nothing but calm. Post-float, I retained that lightness and clarity for a duration of time, the effects most prominent the night after the float. Still, for the next 48 hours, I could have sworn there was a difference in my breathing and thinking, that I’m sure would only be more pronounced if I had practiced meditation before testing out a sensory deprivation tank.
Final thoughts? I can’t quite tell if the effects I felt afterwards were real or just a placebo effect, but I know for sure that while I was floating, the physical and mental changes were very noticeable, which was very surprising to me. If I had been able to access and control my thoughts while in that subconscious state, I might have found a little more meaning to my float, but I was so happy to have had the experience nonetheless. Floats at LIFT start at $79 per float, but there are packages that you can purchase that can save you money per session. In terms of going back, I would definitely try this experience again, especially since it’s been said that your second session is completely different than your first one. Though I don’t think I’d make this part of my monthly wellness routine, I would say that if you are looking for a physically and mentally relaxing (and possibly transcendental) experience, a float session should definitely be in your health + wellness future.