So about a week ago, I went to a float spa. If you’re unfamiliar, you spend an hour or so floating in ultra-dense water full of Epsom salts. The intention is to limit stimulation so you can thoroughly relax. This brings up a couple questions… What is sensory deprivation? And why the heck should you pay money to do it?
Sensory deprivation explained
Sensory deprivation is just that: depriving yourself of sensory input. Clearing away the input and stimulation that is rather ubiquitous enables you to do new and exciting things with your awareness.
Instead of focusing on the things going on around you, you can’t… because nothing is going on around you. No light, no sound, no smells or flavors, and not really anything to feel because you’re suspended in salt water.
Typically, you’ll find spas and wellness centers that offer this service. You step into a tank that is big enough for you to extend in without touching the walls. The tank has salt water that is so dense that you float passively. The windowless, soundproof nature of the tank ensures that lights and noises shall not get in.
Finding something that compares to this is quite hard to do in everyday life. No matter what you do, some sound or smell or feeling follows closely. This article goes over the unique benefits of float therapy.
Sensory deprivation is deeply relaxing, and Epsom salts can have a restorative effect on your body. But the benefits are predominantly on the mental side!
My experiences
I have done this twice. I found the second time to be much more enjoyable and beneficial than the first.
The first time, I got in the tank all wide-eyed and excited. I was unaware of the salty chaos that awaited. You have the option to put on dim starlights on the ceiling of the tank as well as soft spa music. I chose to utilize both of those options to create a nice ambiance.
The part that didn’t create a nice ambiance, however, was when I moved slightly in the first couple of minutes and the saltiest water ever rushed into my eyes and mouth. I tried to deal with it but quickly realized that wasn’t sustainable. So after getting out, rinsing my face off, and putting in the recommended (and complimentary) earplugs, I was ready for total peace.
The second time, I was much more prepared. So prepared, in fact, that the employee didn’t even have to give me the overview of what to do. I put the earplugs in immediately and *slowly* lowered myself into the water this time to not displace the salt water onto my face again.
Jokes aside, it was fantastic. The second time, I turned off the lights and sounds entirely. It was pitch black, soundless, and there was nothing to feel (except when I’d occasionally hit the wall on accident). The silence so deep that I could actually hear the movement of my eyes as I glanced around into the blackness around me.
This was a fantastic time to just exercise presence, which you can read my guide on here. It was me alone with my consciousness for an hour. There were no distractions and no things to perceive yet there was so much to explore. Let me explain…
Why you should try sensory deprivation
Yes, sensory deprivation is another type of self-care. It’s part of a larger list of good things you can do for yourself. You can get a massage or take a yoga class or get involved in a meditation practice. I, personally, love each of those things.
But you can’t reasonably compare the others to sensory deprivation. Not better or worse, but just in a whole different category. See, depriving your mind of things to perceive makes you intensely aware of your consciousness.
When I tried this, I had an idea of what it might be like going in, but it was much more profound than expected. For a few minutes each time, you try to figure out what’s going on. You adjust to a more comfortable position or listen to the swishing of the water as you do it. But sooner or later, it’s all gone.
This is an uncomfortable thought to many. And I wrestled with it, too. But with anything else that’s uncomfortable, the way to find the rewards is to lean in!
Just like in any mental or spiritual practice, the key to sensory deprivation is to surrender. To completely let go of resistance to discomfort and uncertainty.
What’s cool is that amid the blackness, you get in deep contact with your mind, your thoughts, and your awareness. With a bit of intention, you can slowly separate your conscious self from all else. While in sensory deprivation, you can exist without focusing in on anything. You are placid and peaceful behind the scenes. And it’s excellent training because if you can take this into daily life with whatever goes on, you’ll always be peaceful.
It’s not about walking out of the tank with world-changing revelations. But you walk away with a deeply zen feeling. You feel calm and empowered because you know that peace is always close if you detach from distraction and exist as an awareness. And this is yours to take with you wherever you go!
Thank you so much for reading! Please share with others who may benefit! 🙂
