Have you been doing your research about floatation tanks, isolation tanks and sensory deprivation tanks and notice that there are certain fears or concerns that you or your friends have about having a session in a Floatation tank?
For some people, these fears or mis-perceptions can be partially due to some of the information of other people’s experiences that are reported on the internet, as well as the portrayal of the Floatation Tank in movies such as Altered States or TV series' Fringe, Absolutely Fabulous or the Simpsons. Or perhaps you have seen YouTube clips or heard podcasts in which Float Tanks have been discussed with people like Joe Rogan or the recent Vice documentary, whereby people share their experiences of floating which are somewhat "trippy" sounding, since they are not exactly sober experiences!
We have noticed that there are common myths, or mis-perceptions about being in a Sensory Deprivation tank that we want to de-bunk for you!
Let us share with you the 5 most common Myths or fears that we hear from new clients who are considering a Floatation Therapy session, but are stuck in the fear of a myth about Floating!
For some people, these fears or mis-perceptions can be partially due to some of the information of other people’s experiences that are reported on the internet, as well as the portrayal of the Floatation Tank in movies such as Altered States or TV series' Fringe, Absolutely Fabulous or the Simpsons. Or perhaps you have seen YouTube clips or heard podcasts in which Float Tanks have been discussed with people like Joe Rogan or the recent Vice documentary, whereby people share their experiences of floating which are somewhat "trippy" sounding, since they are not exactly sober experiences!
We have noticed that there are common myths, or mis-perceptions about being in a Sensory Deprivation tank that we want to de-bunk for you!
Let us share with you the 5 most common Myths or fears that we hear from new clients who are considering a Floatation Therapy session, but are stuck in the fear of a myth about Floating!
Myth #1: I’m claustrophobic, I’ll freak out in an enclosed space!
Homer Simpson in a floatation tank One of the biggest myths that we can de-bunk for you is your fear of being trapped in an enclosed space!
Our Floatation Tanks are designed in such a way that they are basically like a big bathtub that can be fully enclosed, or not! With a sliding hatch that does not lock, the top of the tank can easily be opened fully, partially or completely closed.
Our Floatation Tanks are designed in such a way that they are basically like a big bathtub that can be fully enclosed, or not! With a sliding hatch that does not lock, the top of the tank can easily be opened fully, partially or completely closed.
The float tank can be easily opened or closed You are in full control of this at all times, and if you feel uncomfortable closing the hatch, you can simply keep it fully or partially open! After all, the point of the session is for you to relax. Also, there is a light inside the tank, which you are also in control of so you can turn it on or off whenever you need.
The water in the Floatation Tank is full of epsom salts, which is Magnesium Sulfate. Magnesium is a natural relaxant for the muscles and the nervous system, so the water also helps you to relax easily and effortlessly in this space.
Knowing that you are in full control of the session, it means that you can make the session comfortable and enjoyable, and can terminate it at any time if you are not enjoying it. In saying that, we have had clients who have had this concern who have successfully floated, and enjoyed themselves! For most, it is simply realising that the real fear is the mind’s perception of the experience, rather than the experience itself.
The water in the Floatation Tank is full of epsom salts, which is Magnesium Sulfate. Magnesium is a natural relaxant for the muscles and the nervous system, so the water also helps you to relax easily and effortlessly in this space.
Knowing that you are in full control of the session, it means that you can make the session comfortable and enjoyable, and can terminate it at any time if you are not enjoying it. In saying that, we have had clients who have had this concern who have successfully floated, and enjoyed themselves! For most, it is simply realising that the real fear is the mind’s perception of the experience, rather than the experience itself.
Myth #2 - I'm worried that if I fall asleep inside the Floatation Tank I will drown
Sleeping in the floatation tank It is actually safe for you to sleep inside the Floatation Tank! Since the water is five times more buoyant than seawater, you will notice when you are floating that it requires quite a bit of effort to roll over, so this would be quite difficult to do in your sleep… you would wake yourself up if you tried, either by the sensation of water, or by getting salt in your eyes, nose or mouth as it can sting. It would be almost impossible for someone to accidentally drown in the Floatation Tank.
Many people fall asleep due to being either very deeply relaxed or simply tired. Some people who have trouble sleeping may actually choose to use the Sensory Deprivation tank as a way of helping them to get some rest! Did you know that one hour of floating is equivalent to 4 hours of sleep? So whether you sleep or not, you will finish your session feeling as though you had had a refreshing nap!
Many people fall asleep due to being either very deeply relaxed or simply tired. Some people who have trouble sleeping may actually choose to use the Sensory Deprivation tank as a way of helping them to get some rest! Did you know that one hour of floating is equivalent to 4 hours of sleep? So whether you sleep or not, you will finish your session feeling as though you had had a refreshing nap!
Myth #3 - I can't float / I can't swim / I don't usually float in water!
350kg of Epsom Salt for the float tank Even if you don't normally float in a pool, or other body of water, EVERYONE floats in a Floatation Tank! And you don’t need to know how to swim, because you will be floating without even trying.
The water is also only about 30cm deep, so you can easily sit up in the tank and the water will reach around hip-height whilst sitting. You will find that your body is naturally half under the water and half out of the water.
There is 350kg of Epsom salts in the water which makes the water very dense i.e. it’s 5 times more buoyant that sea water which is why you effortlessly float on the surface of the water. If you have ever floated in the Dead Sea, the experience of floating is somewhat similar in terms of buoyancy.
The water is also only about 30cm deep, so you can easily sit up in the tank and the water will reach around hip-height whilst sitting. You will find that your body is naturally half under the water and half out of the water.
There is 350kg of Epsom salts in the water which makes the water very dense i.e. it’s 5 times more buoyant that sea water which is why you effortlessly float on the surface of the water. If you have ever floated in the Dead Sea, the experience of floating is somewhat similar in terms of buoyancy.
Myth #4 - I can't meditate, so I won't be able to last one hour inside a Sensory Deprivation Tank!
Isolation tanks make meditation easy! It is very surprising how quickly an hour can pass inside a Floatation Tank. The sensory deprivation environment creates a different perception around time. The Isolation Tank provides you with the ideal environment to be able to block out any distractions so that it is easier for you to relax and let go. Even those who find it hard to meditate find that the Floatation Tank is a perfect start to learning how to calm the mind as the Epsom salt water makes it much easier to relax. Many people are surprised at how quickly the time seems to pass in an Isolation Tank, and some people find that even two hours in a Floatation Tank seems to pass quickly!
Myth #5 I'm scared that I will hallucinate and freak out in the Floatation Tank
Altered States features floatation tanks To our knowledge, out of the hundreds of people who have floated with us, we are yet to have anyone freak out in the Floatation Tank.
Floating is a deeply relaxing experience, akin to meditation. Re-read Myth #1… remember that you are in full control of the session. You have a call button to alert staff if you felt that you were in any kind of trouble. As for having hallucinations, it is highly unlikely that you will experience these… what is more likely is that you may enter a dream-like state, whilst in a deeper state of consciousness as you enter a Theta brain-wave state.
The Theta state places you in a beautifully calm trance-like state.
This is usually quite pleasant, and like dreams - can be quite abstract and random, as you are entering the realm of your subsconscious mind. It is the first "dream" state as you enter sleep, where you are on the borderline of consciousness and unconsciousness. Theta state is known to be very powerful for healing, as it is the space where we can access memories and feelings, as well as being the place where we can effect change on our beliefs and behaviour. So, you can imagine the possibilities that await you when you are in a Floatation Tank for an hour or more!
Floating is a deeply relaxing experience, akin to meditation. Re-read Myth #1… remember that you are in full control of the session. You have a call button to alert staff if you felt that you were in any kind of trouble. As for having hallucinations, it is highly unlikely that you will experience these… what is more likely is that you may enter a dream-like state, whilst in a deeper state of consciousness as you enter a Theta brain-wave state.
The Theta state places you in a beautifully calm trance-like state.
This is usually quite pleasant, and like dreams - can be quite abstract and random, as you are entering the realm of your subsconscious mind. It is the first "dream" state as you enter sleep, where you are on the borderline of consciousness and unconsciousness. Theta state is known to be very powerful for healing, as it is the space where we can access memories and feelings, as well as being the place where we can effect change on our beliefs and behaviour. So, you can imagine the possibilities that await you when you are in a Floatation Tank for an hour or more!
Blissful relaxation floating So, we hope that after reading this you will feel more at ease with the idea of floating… remember that the biggest fear is the one that your mind creates out of the unknown… the only way to know whether you are going to enjoy Floatation Therapy is to give it a go! What do you have to lose? Only your fears and stress! What could you gain? The possibilities are endless!
Read about the benefits of floatation therapy to find out!
Remember that this experience is like nothing else you have experienced… it truly is unique and such a beautiful and nurturing experience for those who allow it to be. A private sea of blissful awareness awaits for you to explore!
If you have any more concerns about Floatation Therapy, our friendly staff are always happy to talk with you and answer your questions. You can call us now on (03) 9440 9453. Or, if you are now feeling ready to give floatation therapy a go, click here to be directed to our booking page.
Read about the benefits of floatation therapy to find out!
Remember that this experience is like nothing else you have experienced… it truly is unique and such a beautiful and nurturing experience for those who allow it to be. A private sea of blissful awareness awaits for you to explore!
If you have any more concerns about Floatation Therapy, our friendly staff are always happy to talk with you and answer your questions. You can call us now on (03) 9440 9453. Or, if you are now feeling ready to give floatation therapy a go, click here to be directed to our booking page.
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