Have you ever noticed how floating in the warm water of the ocean makes stress and anxiety simply fade away? Float Therapy harnesses the therapeutic power of floatation to benefit both the body and mind. Float therapy is an alternative treatment that scientists say can induce a state of deep relaxation and ease anxiety.
In the past, REST was considered an outlier therapy. However, thanks to the many benefits it offers and the body of research that supports it, this treatment is growing in popularity across the United States and the global medical community.
What Does REST Therapy Involve?
During REST therapy, you will float in warm water that is designed to match your natural body temperature. Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), a natural relaxant, and other minerals are added to the water. The addition of Epsom salt allows you to effortlessly float on top of the water without straining your muscles.
One of the most appealing aspects of float therapy is that anyone can participate in it — whether they are young, elderly, mobility impaired, or pregnant. REST is a safe alternative therapy option for those plagued by anxiety and a myriad of other health concerns.
Short-Term Benefits of REST Therapy
REST therapy benefits not only the body — but the mind as well. Here are just a few of the short-term benefits:
#1 Reduces Sensory Overload Sensory deprivation tanks are sound-proof and light-proof. As such, they eliminate visual and auditory input. Moreover, the air temperature inside the pod and ambient room temperature is kept the same, so you cannot detect the differences in the environment. These factors remove distractions and environmental stressors that can lead to sensory overload. This, in turn, can help you manage your anxiety symptoms and reduce your overall stress levels.
#2 Eases Muscle Tension Magnesium is added to the water solution inside the pod, allowing your body to absorb the mineral. Known as a natural relaxant, magnesium helps the body to relax, reduces stress, and alleviates tension.
#3 Improves Your Overall Well-Being It is no mystery that stress and anxiety can trigger or exacerbate various health issues, such as stroke, diabetes, cardiac, neurological, and gastrointestinal complications. In addition to mitigating your stress levels, float therapy has been shown to reduce your heart rate and blood pressure, which can greatly benefit your overall health and well-being.
Existing research supports the short-term benefits of REST therapy on anxiety and current studies are investigating the long-term benefits of this practice. If you have anxiety, this could be the perfect thing to ease your symptoms.
References: 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4219027/ 2. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2779871 3. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0190292
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