Float Tank Experience

Today, I was able to try out my local float tank spa. A float tank is a sound and light proofed capsule filled with 11 inches of water and saturated with 900 pounds of medical grade epsom salt (Magnesium Sulfate). The air in the pod and the solution are kept at skin-temperature making you unable to tell the water from air. The goal is to deprive your body of environmental stimuli.

Having moved from Portland, OR I had heard a lot about floating and sensory deprivation tanks. But I never went and tried it. The past month has been very stressful and full of non-stop work for me. I was getting to a point of burn-out and a breakdown. I took advantage of my day off to reset my brain and body.

I really liked this article on the subject, and I encourage you to skim over it at the least! Read Here!

The 3 Key elements to Flotation Therapy are Sensory Deprivation, Magnesium Sulfate, and Zero gravity. Magnesium relaxes the entire body when efficiently absorbed through the skin, forcing the body into a state of rest and recovery. It is responsible for creating energy molecules, relaxing blood vessels, regulating blood pressure and blood sugar levels, additionally 80% of your metabolism is dependent on magnesium for proper function.

While I chose to have soft music playing in my tank, it was so nice to have it completely dark. I thought I might have some claustrophobia, but I didn’t even notice the space after the lights were out and I couldn’t tell where in the tank I was floating. I had times where I couldn’t feel the water, making it seem like I was floating in nothing. That was such a cool feeling! There were other times where I wasn’t asleep but was in between being asleep and awake. Thinking thoughts, but not totally being aware of my surroundings. An hour was the perfect amount of time, I was getting antsy and it was hard to just lie there the last 5-10 minutes. I lost sense of time, so that may be off 🙂 I got out quite relaxed, refreshed and with a quieter mind, which was much needed.

If you’re local to Kalispell, MT I highly suggest Cloud 9 Float Spa! They have Infrared Sauna and Cryotherapy. Both of which I plan on trying out in the near future!