The Canberra Times

Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain

Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain
Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain

This is advertiser content for Canberra Southern Cross Club.

Want to tick off relaxation, muscle recovery and improve your health, all while lying down and doing absolutely nothing? Flotation therapy may be your new best friend.

Floating involves lying in a specially designed tank filled with warm, salty water that allows the body to effortlessly float.

Freed from the sensations of gravity, temperature, touch, the body and mind are able to drift into the deepest state of relaxation possible.

Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain
Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain

Around since the 1950s, flotation therapy has seen a resurgence in popularity over recent years thanks to its long list of health and wellness benefits.

FloatAbove in Phillip is seeing an increase in people utilising their flotation pods for relaxation, recovery and meditation.

The purpose-built centre has two float rooms, which are 100 per cent private and soundproof, allowing customers to completely shut out the outside world.

Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain
Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain

"The function of a floatation pod is to minimise the force of gravity on a person's body, so once the joints of the body are suspended through floating, the joints ease as do the muscles supporting those joints.

The brain which has been active keeping our body vertical can relax as well, meaning the body enters a deep state of relaxation," said FloatAbove's Tack Daniel.

"Suspension or floating provides a way to rest and recover, and because the temperature is warmer, often blood flow increases which can elevate healing benefits and diminish pain.

The ultra-deep relaxation resets the body's hormonal and metabolic balance accelerating recovery from stress, illness or injury."

Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain
Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain

Research has shown floating can help with anxiety, depression, stress and PTSD, chronic pain and injuries, insomnia, pregnancy, muscle recovery, mental focus, and even enhance creativity and learning.

Float sessions last for 60 minutes, and inside the state-of-the-art pods water is heated to 35.5 degrees, the temperature of skin, and filled with 600kg of Epsom salt.

"Using skin temperature water means it's virtually impossible to distinguish between your body and the water, which adds to the deep state of relaxation and feeling of weightlessness," said Tack.

Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain
Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain

"Many people don't realise they actually fall asleep during a float session, but the high salt solution means you float effortlessly, so there's no fear of sinking or unwillingly rolling over.

The experience is like lying on a li-lo in a swimming pool, but instead of being on top of the water, you are partially in it, fully suspended and supported."

On your first visit, staff guide you through the process and show you how to get the most out of your float.

You shower before stepping into the water to ensure no makeup, lotions or natural oils contaminate the pod. You're encouraged to float nude, as the room is completely private, but can choose to wear swimwear.

Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain
Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain

After a 60 minute float, you shower again to get the salt off, and everything's looked after with towels, earplugs, shower essentials, combs and hair dryers all supplied.

Then it's off to the relaxation lounge where you can enjoy a cup of tea and slowly ease back to reality.

And while it's common for people to be concerned about feeling claustrophobic, Tack said there's nothing to fear.

Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain
Float away anxiety, stress, injury and pain

"Our pods are roughly the size of a queen size bed, so even tall people can stretch out. You also have control over the pod at all times, and you're never locked in.

The lid is easy to open and close, and while we recommend that you float with the pod lid closed, you can keep it open the entire time," he said.

"And in the pod itself, you have full control over the chakra lights, and can choose to float with them on or off.

And if you do have any concerns, each pod contains a help button to call for assistance."

FloatAbove is located at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, Phillip. For more information and bookings, visit Float above.

This is advertiser content for Canberra Southern Cross Club.