Water can be a powerful ally for our mental health. From listening to trickling calm water sounds to the rhythmic waves of the ocean, there’s something about water that’s uniquely soothing. Float therapy combines all the relaxing experiences from water with the many benefits of sensory deprivation to support your overall wellbeing and mental health.
Floatation therapy isn’t something new, but it’s gained more popularity among people who want holistic ways to improve their wellbeing. Some benefits of float therapy include:
- Revitalizes the body
- Boosts endorphin production
- Promotes relaxation
- Improves athletic performance
- Reduces blood pressure
But, today, we’re looking at the many benefits of floatation therapy for mental health. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety or stress disorders, floatation therapy could be a beneficial practice to incorporate into your wellness routine.
1. Helps Manage Anxiety Symptoms
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders. Nearly 20% of people will experience some form of anxiety disorder in their lifetime. A 2016 study found that people who included float therapy in their routine reported significantly fewer anxiety symptoms, with 37% of them achieving complete remission from their anxiety.
While researchers are still studying why floatation therapy helps with anxiety disorders, most advances point to achieving a deep state of meditation in the tank. Floatation therapy can help individuals achieve a meditative state of mind quicker and more effectively than if they tried by themselves.
2. Could Help Improve Depression
Float therapy helps reduce stress hormones and tackle some of the common triggers for depression. Regular floating can help boost endorphins, “feel-good” hormones naturally produced by the body to cope with stress. Various studies mention that regulating dopamine levels can help manage major depressive disorders and promote a more balanced mental health.
3. Supports Healthy Sleeping Patterns
Initially, floatation therapy was a well-known therapy to treat sleep disorders. There’s a study from 1989 that floatation could improve symptoms of insomnia and help maintain improvements in sleep for over 12 weeks. A recent study also found that float therapy can significantly improve sleep time and t quality for people who float regularly.
Researchers believe that float therapy impacts brain activity in ways that mimic aspects of sleep itself. While in the floatation tank, individuals experience a drop in blood pressure and heart rate, which simulates what happens when you’re getting into a resting state.
4. May Help Manage PTSD Symptoms
Perhaps one of the most essential benefits of floating for mental health is its ability to manage post-stress traumatic disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Various studies point out that float therapy can provide short-term relief for anxiety disorders and depression, both common symptoms of PTSD.
Even though we still need more evidence to prove the benefits of floatation therapy for PTSD, the studies are promising. The University of Toledo College of Medicine published a study on floating that showed a 22% drop in levels of stress hormones in individuals who participated in float therapy sessions. These results increase expectations that the benefits of floating could benefit those with clinical anxiety without the need for medications or invasive treatments.
5. Reduces Chronic Stress
Stress, in its many forms, is the most common debilitating mental health disorder adults struggle with. Over 80% of US workers cite chronic stress as one of the reasons they miss workdays. And burnout is something affecting almost all of the adult population. Floatation REST therapy can be highly effective at lowering stress levels and increasing a sense of wellbeing.
Individuals who practice regular floatation therapy often report a significant reduction of stress symptoms, a boost of energy, and an improved sense of wellbeing. In addition, individuals experience long-term effects, including relief from burnout, improved mental state, and quality of life.
Research indicates that floatation therapy can be a powerful tool for our mental health. By helping individuals achieve a deep meditative state and support overall wellbeing, people who try floatation therapy often feel the benefits within a few sessions.
Book a float session today if you are ready to experience the benefits of floating for mental health firsthand. Float8 is South Florida’s premier destination for your first floatation therapy experience; find a location near you today and start floating.
