On Friday, I had my first experience at a luxury saltwater float spa called Floatopia that I mentioned in my New Jersey Travel Guide post here. I've been wanting to try it for quite some time and was so happy to see that there was a location nearby. It was such a glorious experience!
I was greeted by the lovely Melinda, owner of Floatopia. The relaxing vibe was set from the moment I walked inside. A feeling of calm & relaxation washed over me. The sounds of trickling water, the soft lighting & Melinda's glowing smile told me everything I needed to know. We chatted briefly about all the beautiful plants throughout the spa that Melinda had picked from her garden. Her attention to detail is felt throughout the spa.
Melinda led me down the hallway and into my private float room, which had its own shower and a little satchel that had a few essentials inside: earplugs, q-tips and a packet of vaseline should you have a small cut that needs to be protected from the salt-water. Melinda then showed me where the float light & call buttons were & left me to begin my trip to: Relaxation Town, Population: 1....me!
The first thing I did was take a shower to rinse off & wet my hair. As I showered, I enjoyed the silence except for the soothing sounds of water.
The idea behind float therapy is that you are in a fully relaxed state, removed from external noises or distractions. The sensorial deprivation chamber, also known as the float pod, shuts out all noises, lights and other factors that often keep us from fully tuning into our inner selves.
As you can see, the float pod is more like a tiny room with a hot tub. Each tank is tall enough to stand in and has a glass door incase you are claustrophobic.
I slowly dipped into 10 inches of water filled with about a thousand pounds of medical grade epsom salt. At 94 degrees, the water is close to the surface temperature of your skin. You do want to be extremely careful getting inside the flotation chamber as the salt water makes it extremely slippery when you are going in and coming out. There is relaxing music on for the first 5 minutes and the last 5 minutes of your float.
Check out my Instagram Reels here to watch some of the videos I took inside my float room.
I adjusted the float light to a few different colors until I settled on purple. It felt like the perfect color for how I was feeling. It made me feel like I was in another dimension. The peace, quiet, cozy warm water & the feeling of floating on a cloud made me instantly relaxed, less tense & euphoric.
The door to the tank is fully controllable from within. There is also an interior light for beginners or for those who don’t enjoy being in the dark. Almost all users, however, float with the light off. As the session comes to an end, the lights turn on so that you know that it's time to leave your float pod. I took another shower to wash away the salt from my skin which was literally the silkiest I have ever felt!
Once I finished getting dressed, I came out to relax in the sitting area and had a cup of tea. I truly cannot wait to return to Floatopia and continue to incorporate floating into my self care routine! As I've said in my previous posts, I'm still getting adjusted to being back on the east coast and these impending colder winter months, so finding other ways to enjoy and relax with a new self care ritual during this time is perfect. And as the holidays approach, this is such a unique & special gift for your friends, family or special someone!
Doctors, athletes, and float enthusiasts are using Float Therapy for neurological, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, muscular, skeletal, and hormonal balance. Floating brings the body back into homeostasis.
The Benefits of Float Therapy
Helps decrease Anxiety & Depression
Improves Sleep
Lowers Stress Levels
Lowers Blood Pressure
Eases Physical Pain
Enhances Physical Performance
Assists Muscle Recovery (Inflammation, Chronic Pain, Arthritis)
Improves some skin conditions.
When you are in a flotation tank, your body absorbs these minerals & your body’s magnesium & sulfate levels increase. This helps calm the nervous system & enhances your body’s natural ability to heal. The deep relaxation state that you enter when floating helps to reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is float therapy good for?
Float Therapy helps you relax. When the body reaches a certain amount of relaxation, it is able to cause positive physical results like reduced muscle tension, decreased blood pressure, fewer stress hormones, and increased endorphins.
What is float therapy?
Floatation, also known as sensory deprivation, is simply the act of relaxing in a floatation tank; with all sights and sounds removed, and drifting into a meditative state that rejuvenates your mind and body.
Do you wear a bathing suit in a float tank?
Since it is a private experience, most people don't wear any clothing. You'll have the room to yourself and be required to shower before and after. Anything you wear will press against your body, becoming a distraction.
Who should not use a float tank?
Floatation is not recommended if you experience claustrophobia, or have epilepsy, kidney disease, low blood pressure, any contagious disease, including diarrhoea or gastroenteritis (and for 14 days following), open wounds or skin ulcers.
Is floating good for your skin?
Floating is an excellent way to detoxify our body, helping to draw out impurities and toxins, cleansing our pores and helping conditions like acne.
How do you feel after a float?
The meditative effect of floating helps decreases stress levels, reduce muscle tension, and clears your mind. After a floating session you will feel a sense of wellbeing, relaxation, focus, energy, ease of movement and calm.
Is floating good for arthritis?
The antigravity nature of floatation should not be underestimated when it comes to treating arthritis. Because floating removes the effects of gravity, it allows your muscles and joints to relax and decompress.
How do I prepare for my float session?
Avoid caffeine or any stimulants 4-6 hours ahead of your float.
Have a bit of food in your stomach, but do not eat 2 hours before your appointment.
Don't shave the day of your float.
What should I bring with me to my float session?
It will depend on where you go, but at Floatopia, your float tank is in a private room with a shower. No swimsuit is necessary and they supply paraben-free & sulfate-free bath products, towels, hair dryer, earplugs, q-tips and even some vaseline should you have a small cut that needs to be protected from burning salt-water. I would suggest a pair of flip flops for the shower & if you wear contacts, be sure to bring a travel case to store them in while you float.
If you live in New Jersey or come for a visit, be sure to book a float at Floatopia in Red Bank and let them know, I sent you!
I have always wanted to do this but my claustrophobia has prevented me from trying it. This place has a nice safe feel to it. 💧