Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to get the most out of an activity but in the end, you thought “this was not good enough”? Or you found yourself thinking “this wasn’t as fulfilling as I planned it to be”? It can surely be disappointing. What’s worse is that sometimes we don’t even realize that there are certain things that are within our power that can significantly improve our experience. It’s because often we are not informed. We are not aware of what to do and how to do it in the most satisfying way possible.
For example, many people who have trouble sleeping don’t know they should avoid caffeine in the afternoon to guarantee themselves a healthy tight sleep at night.
The same applies when floating in a sensory deprivation tank . This is a unique relaxing activity. Its goal is to make you feel better by putting you in an unparalleled state of physical and mental comfort. This meditative, blissful state is always the desired outcome when floating. We live a stressful life. Finding the time to relax substantially is indispensable. That’s why the last thing you’d want is to spoil your sensory deprivation experience by not preparing adequately for it.
In this article, we will depict three simple strategies that can certainly help you elevate the quality of your float. Without further ado, here they are.
Float In The Morning
Lettuce. That’s right. At dawn, we feel as fresh as lettuce. It is rare to experience that powerful feeling of liveliness during any other part of the day. So why is this the perfect time to spend an hour or more in your home floatation tank? It’s because the brain is totally relaxed. The mind is still in that thoughts-free phase necessary for meditation and mental composure. The tension of the workday is still ahead of us.
Hence, it is easier to achieve the theta brain state observed during light sleep, musing and deep spiritual connection. Sure enough, it can be very stress-relieving to jump in the tank at the end of an exhausting day. However, it’s just easier to concentrate and avoid mind wandering shortly after waking up.
Float With Intention
Having a clearly defined purpose when going for a floatation therapy session is important. Some float to relax by themselves and listen to music in the tank. Some do it for physical recovery and enjoy the powerful benefits of the Epsom salt. For others, floating is the perfect way to meditate and to dive deep into their inner selves.
It’s totally fine to step in the tank without having a pre-defined justification. Keep in mind though that when you have a goal to aim for, it is easier to adjust yourself accordingly. Having a purpose, no matter what it is, builds motivation and with the proper motivation, it’s simpler to achieve better results in less time.
Leave Your Expectations Outside
Why is it so important to have zero expectations when you float? It’s simple. It prevents you from feeling all those negative emotions such as disappointment, anger, frustration, etc. I’d even say this is crucial especially when one tries something new for the first time. Having expectations means you want to control things and often this is not possible. Furthermore, that creates fear of failure, fear of not receiving what you want.
Guess what. This is completely useless when you go for a float. Be free and just let things happen. The purpose of sensory deprivation is to immerse yourself in the present moment and enjoy the experience. Proper relaxation is never achieved when your brain is overwhelmed with thoughts about the possible outcomes or what could happen or not. It sounds stressful, isn’t it? It just is.
Conclusion
The next time when you decide to spend some quality time in the tank, remember to think about these three strategies that will surely guarantee you a better sensory deprivation experience. Now you are prepared and chances are that you will avoid being disappointed. Believe me, it is worth it to float in the morning with no expectations and with a purpose. Try it.
Do you have any tips or best practices for a better float? How do you do it? Leave a comment below.
Source: Shane Stott, Tales From The Tank
Thank you so much for making this blog. I’ve just stumbled upon it recently while looking for a review of the Zen float tent and I’ve been perusing through the blog – so much great information that will be helpful to me when I save up and eventually do the purchase, again thanks!
Hey Lauren,
Can’t wait to see you in the “floaters club” . 🙂