An Experience With Floating

Does “sensory deprivation” sound more like a torture technique than a relaxation experience? If closing yourself up in a small room or tank with limited light while you lie in supremely salty water doesn’t sound appealing, you’re probably not alone.

Floating, the more common term for the experience, definitely makes it seem more whimsical. Go to the pool, lie on your back and just float in the water? Sign me up.

I’ve been intrigued by floating for several years, but not enough to seek out a place to try it. Thanks to a LivingSocial deal and some unused LivingSocial deal bucks, I found myself taking the plunge for a one-hour float with a rain shower at The Chicago Stress Relief Center, Inc. in Northbrook.

Floating involves a tank or pod, with limited light and sound, full of water heated to a normal body temperature. The water has pounds and pounds of Epsom salt in it, so you are quite buoyant. Floating is said to help with various health issues, aid recovery from a multitude of ailments and just help you to relax.

Epsom salt used for floatation
Floatation requires pounds and pounds of Epsom salt to keep you buoyant.

While researching floating, I learned that NBA stars Stephen Curry and Harrison Barnes are also regular floaters. They actually took ESPN on a float trip with them. I also read that former “Fear Factor” host Joe Rogan has had some more extreme, energy-releasing experiences during his floats.

But to be honest, I kept picturing scenes from FOX’s “Fringe” in anticipation of my first float — though I didn’t expect floating to be the key to another universe or that it would give me the ability to jump into a dead lover’s memory like Olivia did. I mean, this is reality.

As I was standing outside of the float room, I was advised to leave expectations at the door and enter with a clear mind. I was also provided numerous options for how to float.

First steps to floating involved putting in earplugs, stripping down (no clothes necessary), taking a shower and taking note of where the emergency button is — just in case you need it.

The floatation tank at the Chicago Stress Relief Center.
The floatation tank at the Chicago Stress Relief Center.

The Chicago Stress Relief Center has an actual ocean float room, which is much larger than the pods I had seen other places. That helped get rid of the claustrophobia I felt when I made my appointment.

Lying in the water, I was able to stretch my arms out to the side and touch the sides of the tank. There was plenty of room above my head and below my feet. As for the ceiling, it seemed almost as tall as I was.

There is a door to the tank that shuts firmly behind you, but opens easily. You can also prop the door open slightly, which I did a couple of times because it got too stuffy.

The float room only contains 10 inches of water. No fear of drowning! But it was also enough water that I didn’t touch the bottom of the tank unless I sat up. Your head is submerged to your temples and chin, hence the earplugs.

The float room has three light options, which you control with buttons: a bright light, starlights on the ceiling or complete darkness. At first I opted for the starlights, but soon realized I liked it completely dark. Makes sense since I hate turning the lights on at home or work — just call me a vampire.

Music, of the new agey-style, is also an option. You can have it play the entire time, for 10 minutes to help ease you into the process or just have silence. Music playing near the end of your float is also how you know your time in the tank is up. I selected the 10 minutes of music as an intro to my time in the tank.

And then, you float.

I’m a pretty fidgety person. I couldn’t decide how I wanted my arms — to my sides, above my head, clasped over my abdomen and so on.

There were times I was able to focus on my breathing and my heartbeat to the extent that I thought I was going to fall asleep. There were also times when I was just moving myself around in the water for fun. Other times, I knew I was completely still but it felt like I was floating off into the ocean, well beyond the walls of the tank.

The 60 minutes passed pretty quickly. I ended up jumping out of the tank a couple minutes early only because I accidentally splashed myself in the eye with the salt water. Holy burning. The little spray bottle of fresh water, which helped a couple other times I wasn’t paying attention to where the salt water was going, was no longer cutting it.

Rain shower
The amazing rain shower, which was required before and after floating.

The rain shower after the float is also the most amazing experience.

Pro tip: Make sure you wash up fully before touching anything. I ended up with a salt-covered iPhone after checking the time during my float.

Fun fact: No pruney fingers or toes. My skin felt really soft from all the Epsom salt.

Was my float life-changing? Not really, but it could be because it was my first time. I was intrigued enough to schedule my next float right off the bat. If it can help any of my health issues or just give me an hour to unplug and relax, why not keep trying it?


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