Your First Float: What To Expect & How To Relax
There may be many expectations going into your first float, you’ve heard so many great things about Floatation Therapy and you’re excited to reap the benefits first hand! However, what many won’t mention is that it can be difficult during your float to truly relax, which can sometimes stop you from entering a meditative state. It may be that your mind won’t switch off, or your body can’t lie still and trust us, we know how frustrating it can be. So, we’ve compiled a list of the ways you can float into relaxation with ease.
General Float Tips
We thought we’d start this off with some general float tips, giving you some insight into what you can expect your float to feel like.
When you enter a City Cave centre, you will be guided into our relaxation area and shown a video on what to do when you enter your float room. You’ll be given the option to have the music on or off, as well as having the light switch nearby to personalise the level of sensory deprivation your experience (for the full effect we recommend lights off). When you enter your float pool, you’ll immediately feel the relaxation sweep over you. Our rooms are equipped with UV light and heated pools, so the warmth will be extremely welcoming from the get-go.
When you start your float, don’t expect to fully relax straight away, and especially don’t get stressed that you can’t wind down. It can take many minutes for your muscles and mind to calm down, and even then most people need many float sessions before they can feel the profound benefits.
Some general float tips that have been compiled here at City Cave are:
Embrace the process, our relaxation area is the perfect space to practice mindfulness. You’re able to have some relaxing tea and fully immerse yourself in the experience.
Try floating with the light off as it will enhance the sensory deprivation experience
Focus on de-stressing by breathing slowly, deeply, and rhythmically, and let the weightlessness transport you into a state of tranquility
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive muscle relaxation is a great way to ensure your body is ready for floating. In progressive muscle relaxation, you tense a group of muscles as you breathe in, and you relax them as you breathe out. The theory behind this is that when your body is physically relaxed, it’s more difficult to feel anxious and your body can succumb to the meditative benefits of float therapy. Muscle tension is commonly associated with stress and anxiety, so relaxing your muscles will allow you to open up to the experience.
Putting this into action can look like this:
Breathe in, and tense the first muscle group for 4 to 10 seconds
Breathe out, suddenly and completely relaxing the muscle group for 10 to 20 seconds before you move on the next
Make sure you really focus on how different the muscles feel when they are tense compared to when they are relaxed and let this feeling help to relax your mind
Medical professionals recommend a relaxation sequence to maximise the effects of this practice. The Department of Health, Western Australian suggests the following:
Right hand and forearm – make a fist with your right hand.
Right upper arm – your right forearm up to your shoulder to ‘make a muscle’.
Left hand and forearm – make a fist with your left hand.
Left upper arm – your left forearm up to your shoulder to ‘make a muscle’.
Forehead – raise your eyebrows as high as they will go, as though you were surprised by something.
Eyes and cheeks – squeeze your eyes tight shut.
Mouth and jaw – open your mouth as wide as you can, as you might when you‘re yawning.
Neck – be careful as you tense these muscles, face forward, and then pull your head back slowly, as though you are looking up to the ceiling.
Shoulders – tense the muscles in your shoulders as you bring your shoulders up towards your ears.
Shoulder blades/back – push your shoulder blades back, trying to almost touch them together, so that your chest is pushed forward.
Chest and stomach – breathe in deeply, filling up your lungs and chest with air.
Hips and buttocks – squeeze your buttock muscles.
Right upper leg – tighten your right thigh.
Right lower leg – do this slowly and carefully to avoid cramps. Pull your toes towards you to stretch the calf muscle.
Right foot – curl your toes downwards.
Left upper leg – repeat as for right upper leg.
Left lower leg – repeat as for right lower leg.
Left foot – repeat as for right foot
Controlled Breathing
Controlled breathing exercises can help to keep your mind and body relaxed, lowering blood pressure and stress as well as promoting feelings of calm and relaxation.
Take a deep breath, expanding your belly. Pause. Exhale slowly to the count of five. Repeat four times.
According to the New York Times, “consciously changing the way you breathe appears to send a signal to the brain to adjust the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system, which can slow heart rate and digestion and promote feelings of calm as well as the sympathetic system, which controls the release of stress hormones like cortisol.”
More than anything, you have to welcome the experience with an open mind. Float Therapy has an array of benefits and can transport you into a deep state of relaxation, but only if you allow it. Our City Cave centers are spaces where you can cultivate self-care and self-awareness, allowing your mind and body to switch off and rejuvenate. So forget your worries and float away!