Something Thom and I always wanted to do was to try a float tank*. A couple of weeks ago in honor of my birthday we literally took the plunge. One of the more interesting things about it was the reaction others gave us when we attempted to explain the experience. Most offered a perplexed look on their face while some reacted in barely disguised repulsion. Questions like, “It’s completely dark? You’re floating in water? Do they lock you in?” were common, including the surprise, “You’re in there for a whole hour?” Like so many situations, how a person reacts says more about them than the experience itself. So when I later read an article that reported many people prefer electric shocks to being alone with their own thoughts, I wasn’t at all surprised. But what’s really going on here? Are we so addicted to stimulation that we can’t stand the silence, or could it be that we are more afraid of who we might be and what we might find if we stop all the noise?
First a little background on float tanks. Technically called sensory deprivation chambers, I first heard about them back in the early 1980s in Colorado Springs, CO. Located in an old rundown spa in the old part of town, they advertised the experience as a way to take a drug free trip into yourself—although the drug free wasn’t actually required. We went to check it out, but the hippie-like facility and the black cast-iron tanks were a bit too rustic and rundown for us to feel compelled. Fast forward nearly 40 years and I found a new, modern and uber-clean facility in Southern California offering a similar experience for self-discovery.
Modern float tanks are filled with about a foot and a half of water at skin temperature with a heavy concentration of Epson salts to make you float. About the size of a walk in closet, a person enters the chamber after showering and putting in earplugs. Although the door is closed it is never locked. While the goal is darkness, a light switch is within easy reach. Piped music signals the start and the conclusion of your time. The rest is up to you.
What’s the point? Originally developed to test the brain without outside stimulus, they have evolved into a tool to aid meditation, relaxation and alternative medicine. Research has proven them to be effective to reduce stress, anxiety, pain, swelling and even jet lag. On the other hand, floating seems to benefit creativity and focus, while improving blood flow, nighttime sleep, and natural endorphins.
However, none of those benefits are important if a person can’t stand being alone with their own thoughts. In a series of studies done last year, Professor Timothy Wilson at the University of Virginia found that on the average people did not enjoy the experience of sitting quietly for a mere 6 to 15 minutes by themselves. Regardless of age or location, the people tested mostly found it unpleasant. In fact, when given the choice to sit quietly with no distraction or to give themselves mild shocks with an electrical devise, many of them preferred the pain. Tests showed that 67% of the men and 25% of the women preferred the stimulation of a self-administered shock to being alone with their thoughts.
Study author Wilson said that when asked, most people stated they preferred watching television, socializing or reading, rather than spending time “relaxing or thinking.” And according to Wilson, instead of believing that people are addicted to the stimulation of technology like television, computers and iphones, perhaps those products were developed and widely accepted exactly because they provide the distraction most people crave.
As a person in FOMO Recovery (see the post here) I understand the craving to be distracted and to stay busy far too well. I’m well aware that if I keep my email program open or the ringer on my iphone on while I’m trying to write a blog post, I lose attention and it takes me twice as long to finish. It’s clear that if I check Facebook at all I’ll get sucked into reading posts and articles and lose 15 minutes here and 15 minutes there. And while I’m aware some of my distractions are just bad habits, there is likely a deeper reason they are so attractive. Perhaps I like staying busy and distracted so I don’t have to think clearly about what’s happening in my life, my body, my family or the world too deeply. I’ll bet I’m not alone.
Yesterday at the gym I couldn’t help but notice a television broadcasting in the waiting room before our tai chi session began. The volume was rather low and no one was watching it, but when I asked the other women around me if I could have it turn off, they looked surprised. One said, “Oh, it doesn’t really matter what’s on, I just like the noise in the background.” Another women admitted her TV was on in her home all the time, regardless of the time of day. Do many of us use such distractions as a way to feel less alone as well, or to not have to look at what our lives have become? What would we find if we turned off the television, the computer, the noise? And how would our lives change if we just took a deep breath and got quiet?
Am I there? Not hardly. But Thom and I started seriously meditating over four years ago each and every day. Doing that helps me to be very comfortable with my thoughts and where they might lead when there is absolutely no distraction available. That’s how I was able to rest in a float tank for an hour in the dark. What I’ve found after experiencing meditations of all sorts through the years is that certain kinds work best for certain people, and a float tank is no exception. Fortunately, what every experience of mindful meditation will do is help each of us discover who we are without all the noise and stuff that clutters up a person’s life. Perhaps the SMARTest solution isn’t to force ourselves to break habits of stimulation. Maybe instead it’s time to learn to love who we are no matter what’s going on, and to crave some quiet time alone.
*Video: Float Tank Experience Explained
Love this and so glad you wrote about this topic. I have looked closely this year at my addiction to my devices and what it means. I too, meditate. Sadly the former tends to limit the later. Some good inisghts into what is going on. Still the question: why our culture is so afraid to be quiet and alone?
Hi Leisa! Welcome to SMART Living and thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. And wouldn’t you say that that the fear of being quiet is mostly habit these days? So many have gotten out of touch with our “quiet selves” that we fear what we might hear or what we might find there. I think the more time we can spend outdoors and in the space of all things natural the better we can get more in tune with that quiet self inside. And perhaps that is another reason why so many people don’t seem concerned about the environment? If we think our “environment” is made up of noise, stimulation and technology then the planet and nature really doesn’t offer much. It’s a HUGE topic, but valuable. Obviously I only touched the surface! ~Kathy
I loved your reply, Kathy, and found it inspirational along the lines I’ve been thinking. Thank you. I may write about this. Here is a post that I could not get Comment Luv to go down to: http://leisahammett.com/the-power-of-nature-to-be-present-in-the-now/ (I know you’re busy. If you don’t read, I’ll never know unless you tell me. 😉
Hi Leisa! Thanks for your response to my response. I think the way to get the pull down on the Comment Luv is to be signed in…so that’s why it probably didn’t work. But either way I have it now. I will come and check it out. ~Kathy
I am at the point where I don’t turn on the radio and will not answer my phone when I am in the car. I love the quiet and it really helps me think things through. I drove back from Tallahassee last week and ended up coming up with entire blog that way. I like the idea of floating but not sure I like the idea of it being enclosed even if there is a door and a light. Not sure why that would bother me since I sleep with my bedroom door closed and the lights off but for whatever reason it did pop into my mind. Thanks for sharing via #mlblvd
Hi Beth! Welcome to SMART Living 365 and from popping over from the link up at #mlblvd. And yes, isn’t it the truth that in order to write it nearly always has to be quiet for me too. I can be easily distracted so I usually have to keep all sounds off. And yes, you might not like the float tank if just the thought of it is bothering you–but as long as you can get the silence you need then you’ve got it made. Like I said, I believe there are LOTS of ways for us to meditate. ~Kathy
I would love to try this! I’m one of those people that loves being alone. I think I use to go to a tanning bed when the kids were younger because I liked the quiet and the mandatory time set for me. Most of the time I fell asleep. I was always surprised when the time was up. What if I fell asleep during this experience? Would I miss the whole point of it?
Hi Elena! That’s interesting about the connection to a tanning bed. I’ve never been in one before but yes, there would certainly be some similarities–except of course that laying in epson salts is healthier than tanning these days! And yes you can fall asleep in them…surely that shows how relaxed you can get. We were assured by the owner that your head will stay afloat no matter what so you wouldn’t have to worry about that either. As far as missing it–would that kind of deep relaxation be missing anything????? 🙂 Thanks for your thoughts….Kathy
I’ve never been in a float tank, but I bet I’d like it. While others abhor the mri or catscan, (which is it that you’re in a tunnel?) I love it. Ahh…. time alone with my thoughts. No one, or nothing will interrupt me. A long walk alone does it too. Maybe I’ll try the tank. I do love floating in the pool or lake; sounds muffled and sun warming my face.
Hi Adela! Welcome to SMART Living 365 and thanks for joining the conversation. If you enjoyed a CAT scan then you’ll probably love this 🙂 I do think people who crave silence and chance to shut down the thoughts a while in a normally busy world can really appreciate these. And if you love floating in water even better! Let me know if you try it! ~Kathy
I have been dying to check this out for so so long. It always look to me like meditation to a heightened degree!!!
Hi Carla! Yes, it is a very unique thing and definitely a boost to meditation. Just google locations and you might find one fairly near that you can try. ~Kathy
I think we are afraid of silence, because we are afraid of our thoughts. Yet running away will not keep us from experiencing those thoughts. Looking deeply is the only solution.
Hi Bethany! Nice to hear from you. Yes…as we know running away is NOT the solution–but we can try to avoid it as long as possible! I like what Abraham Hicks says a lot, if something is really bothering you it is like jumping out of an airplane without a parachute. You can ignore the problem for a while but it WILL eventually get your attention! I don’t know if a float tank is the best way, and I KNOW it’s not the only way, but it is a good reminder right? Thanks for your comment. ~Kathy
One of the things I’ve come to appreciate by living alone is silence. I don’t have the TV on unless I’m going to watch it and during a work day there is no music. I think better when it’s quiet. I used to use noise as a way of avoidance and I see it as a problem for lots of people!
We have a float tank here in town but I can’t do it–my vertigo, or rather my fear of it coming back, limits some forms of activity and I fear the floating and dark experience might not be good. Glad you and Thom had fun with it!
To me, it sounds like pure heaven, but it would drive my husband stark raving mad! I can just imagine it and I really want to give this a try!
Hi Rena! We have a friend who is a super busy woman (like you) who found it one of the most amazing and relaxing things she had done in a long long time. I think it really depends on the person and how able they are to relax. It sounds like your husband might want to do a little shock therapy instead! 🙂 Let me know if you ever do it! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy – I’m not big on noise and constant distractions (I think I’ve lost my tolerance after living in the peace and quiet of an empty nest!) I’m not sure how I’d go for an hour in a float tank, but I’m adding it to my bucket list now I know it’s not like being in a coffin! ~ Leanne
Hi Leanne! Hahahaha…I never thought of it being a coffin….I guess because I’m going to be cremated when the time comes! And believe me, it takes a bit of time to “get the hang of it” so an hour goes relatively fast if you do any form of meditation already. Let me know if you ever do it! ~Kathy
I’m so glad you did a post about this! Did you like the experience? After you told me of your plans, I found a coupon on Groupon for a local float tank. The idea of being alone with my thoughts doesn’t bother me, but I think doing it for a full hour could be a challenge. I wonder if I’d just start thinking of future trips to take, meal plans and possible blog posts. 🙂 I think it might be hard to truly quiet my mind.
For some reason, I no longer receive email notices of your posts. I will sign up again to keep them coming.
Hi Janis! Thanks for letting me know you haven’t been getting my posts. I will check that out. And YES…do give it a try if you are at all intrigued. It’s definitely an experience that is unique. I think we are all so different it’s hard to know whether you are the kind of person who likes it or not. If you read some of my other comments here you can see that Thom and I “enjoyed” the experience but we weren’t thrilled and amazed. 🙂 Of course everyone that does them says you really need to do it two or three times to really get the hang of it. The first time is always a bit awkward just trying to process the experience. If we get a chance we will likely do it at least one more time. But there is no place here where we live so we’ll probably wait until we visit the coast again. Let me know if you do it! ~Kathy
P.S. How was the bloggy boot camp?
Out of curiosity, because I had not heard of these tanks being where I live, I did a quick internet search and discovered that a yoga studio in walking distance of my house is installing one, and it should be open in September. I am not sure I would want this tank experience – I enjoy being in nature. Right now I am in my backyard, with the wind blowing. The weather today is beautiful, and I hear birds singing and squirrels making squirrel sounds. I sit out here and read, or take my laptop. Soon enough, after I stretch my back, I will just sit out here and enjoy. To me, that is a lot more appealing.
Hi Alana! Welcome to SMART Living 365 and thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I think it all sort of depends upon how curious you are about them whether it would be something you’d want to explore. Like I said, for a number of reasons Thom and I were sort of intrigued so the time just seemed right. If nothing else it made us evaluate the things that did bring us relaxation and peace in comparison. If you are perfectly happy sitting in your backyard then it probably doesn’t apply. I just found it “shocking” that so many people would prefer to shock themselves than find any kind of place of quiet. IMHO, anyone who has a good balance is probably already there. Thanks again for stopping by! ~Kathy
Another thought provoking post Kathy! My yoga instructor likes the float tank, but it took her about two or three tries to really get into it. However, I pondered the dilemma of whether we are addicted to noise. Certainly, we are stimulated by it. I can see Ricky Martin’s ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’ being perfect for an aerobic class, just not a yin yoga class. Personally I like some periods of quiet in my day. My heart goes out to those, like my better half who suffers from tinnitus and quiet background music helps mask some of the ringing, pulsing and other noises going on in his head. My pet peeve are what I consider deafening noises – blaring radios, restaurants where the noise levels crescendo so you can’t even hear the person talking at your table, movie theatres (they now sell headsets to wear to the movie theatre to protect your ears!) , etc. If we are addicted to noise – why does it have to be so loud?
Hi Kate! Thanks for your comment (s)! You got caught in my spam blocker and must not have thought I got your messages but I did! Again thank you!
And thanks for letting me know about your yoga instructors experience. Thom and I have talked about it and we’ll probably try it again if we get the opportunity just to see if that makes it extra special. But I just had a massage for my birthday and that actually relaxed me about as good as just about anything else so we’ll see 🙂
And yes about the paradox of the noise issue. There are times when it is perfectly desirable. Thom took me dancing last night and I the music was awesome (and thankfully just the right volume.) I enjoyed every minute. But probably like so many things the solution is finding a right balance for it. Knowing when it’s time to rest our mind and soul, and then other times when Ricky Martin is the right answer. Thanks for adding to the conversation. ~Kathy
Happy Birthday what a great experience to use for your celebration. Did both you and Thom enjoy the experience?
I first heard of deprivation tanks in the movie Altered States with William Hurt. Since that time I have been intrigued but not sure I would do well in one. I’m nothing but a contradiction 🙂 I love tiny homes and small rooms but have trouble being in an enclosed MRI because I can’t sit up or move in them and feel claustrophobic and anxious.
Isn’t it strange how people feel more comfortable with a television playing even when they aren’t watching it? We, as a society, sure got hooked to the constant stimulation that comes with things like TV, it’s sad. I wonder what those same people do with themselves when experiencing an extended power outage.
Who knows maybe one day I’ll give it a try.
This so interesting, Kathy. I’ve heard of these chambers but haven’t paid much attention. That’s so cool that you and your Hubby tried it! Absolutely agree that we as a human race, crave distraction. Some people more than others. I’m not one to leave the t.v. on and I certainly crave quiet time. Meditation is something I’m only beginning to learn. I’m guilty of checking my emai too often due to FOMO.
Very Cool Kathy! I have never tried one. I do go an old fashioned mineral bath where they discourage talking and it is very relaxing. I am a bit claustrophobic, do you think that would be problematic for me?
Hi Haralee! I do think the mineral baths are sorta similar. The tanks just take it to a deeper level because it is completely dark and you are in there all alone. I do think people who are a tad claustrophobic might have trouble but I suppose everyone is different. Both the tank I was in and the tank Thom was in you could stand up in (and Thom’s 6 feet tall) so it is a fairly big “room.” But the warmth of the water and the humidity in the air did feel pretty close if you know what I mean. You’d just have to try it out to know for sure. ~Kathy
We tried it in Vancouver, in the Kitsilano area. It was like a walk-in closet, but again it was very dark and the ceiling was uncomfortably low. Interesting that you took up scuba diving. My debut novel, A Cry From The Deep, is about an underwater photographer. Though I’ve never scuba dived, the pleasure and solace I got from snorkelling certainly played a part in my writing. I also researched scuba diving, underwater photography, salvaging, shipwrecks, etc. in the writing of my novel. You and your husband might be interested in this story. It’s had great reviews.
Kathy, like you, I’m a curious person, so it’s difficult not to check facebook posts, articles, emails etc. We are too plugged in today. It’s a wonderful world, but we also need time to regroup. Be alone with our thoughts.
Yesterday, while walking on the Danforth in Toronto (I’m here visiting daughter and family) we passed a flotation tank operation and I recalled my time in one decades ago. I enjoyed the experience but felt claustrophobic. The ceiling was low in this place and that bothered me. But I liked the experience so much that now, every time I do laps in our community pool, I take time in the shallow warm pool and just stretch out and float for awhile, looking at the ceiling and being alone with my thoughts (even in a public place). I know I need to do more, as I am prone to FOMO. Thanks for the reminder.
Hi Diana! When and where did you do your float? Was it one of those big black tanks like in the movie “Altered States?” Those were the kind that we saw in Colorado Springs and they didn’t inspire me. The new ones (at least where we were) are very techy and clean 🙂 Plus, both the rooms where Thom and I did our floats were quite large–I said they were like a walk in closet but Thom wants me to clarify they were a “small” walk in not a big one like I’ve seen in some houses. And yes, I think for any of us who swim we can sort of get back into that feeling. Thom and I have both taken scuba lessons and we even did a night dive so that experience of being weightless in water was actually more pronounced when diving than in the tank. Regardless where we do it, finding the time to still our mind and get quiet is really the key don’t you think? Turning off the FOMO for a while really helps! ~Kathy
Kathy, Great post. I have never understood leaving the TV on. Music in the background would be so much better–or bird song. Bravo that you are learning to meditate. Maybe I am doing a little of that
on my daily walk, when the breeze and birds are all I hear and think about.
Hi Beth! Yes, there are so many benefits to getting comfortable with the silence that we could all jump in and list them right? And I agree I’m still learning to meditate although I’ve actually been doing one form or another of it since the late 80s. I am definitely a work in progress! ~Kathy
I enjoy silence and just did a post about it:
https://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2015/05/23/silence/
What did you think of the sensory deprivation tank? Would you repeat the experience? Or was once enough?
Hi Nancy! Great minds think alike. I don’t think any of us can hear too much about a “return to silence” so thanks for the link. And guess what, the day you posted that 5/23/55 was my actual birthday and that was the day we did the float. Like I said, great (or at least intuned) minds think alike.
As far as the float experience itself it was interesting and worthy of another try or two. That’s actually what is recommended because the first time a person usually needs to just “experience” it so that they can then take it deeper on subsequent floats. It wasn’t as relaxing as I hoped but that could likely be because it was just our first time. I think I would definitely do it again if it was closer but this one was on the coast about 2 hours away so I’ll probably only do it if it works easily into my schedule. Money-wise, for about the same amount I can get a really good massage so that is also a consideration. 🙂 Have you ever done one? Interested? Let me know. ~Kathy