R.E.S.T (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) which involves what is known as a sensory deprivation tank or even float tank as some may refer to it as has been acknowledged for the multitude of benefits that it brings to the ‘health table’. Float tank therapy has been found to be effective against health issues ranging from chronic insomnia, stress and anxiety. Other ailment where float therapy has been found to be effective against includes depression and enhancement of physical healing periods apart from optimising immune systems.
Float therapy has been found to play a significant role with regards to arriving at these objectives. These conclusions are not just assumptions, but are in fact based on clinical trials and reports from credible factions who have conducted rigorous tests on subjects with float therapy. There is still a multitude of ‘grey areas’ pertaining to the therapy and this gap in understanding is mainly due to limitations of technology.
The inability to make correlations between deprivation of external stimuli and the positive impact on health has posited valid questions in line with logical research method frameworks.
Nevertheless, based on what has been uncovered thus far, when inside a sensory deprivation tank individuals are prevented from using their sensory apparatus optimally as external stimuli (sight, gravity, heat, sound, touch and smell) are brought down to a minimal. This in turns frees the brain from standard constraints which is basically contending with the enormous amount of information that our sensory apparatus delivers constantly which occupies the brains processing power.
When the mind is freed from dealing with the never ending flow of information from external elements the brain is allowed to refocus on biological configurations internally and in essence, rectifies imbalances that have been accumulating over time. Even the Epsom salt solution that is used within the context of float therapy (Epsom salt is used to keep individuals afloat in the R.E.S.T tanks), contains magnesium that the subjects skin easily absorbs into the system which not only promotes skin health, but rebalances the magnesium that our nervous system needs to function optimally.
The other function of the Epsom salt used in the solution that the individuals float in is for the ‘floating effect’ itself. The high concentration of the salt creates a significant level of buoyancy that keeps the subjects floating instead of sinking. As for the float tanks themselves, these days there are a range of motley tanks that come in different shapes, sizes, functions and colours and all of which generally deliver similar results.
Hence, price is in essence a secondary element in correlation to achieving the objectives of the therapy.
For those who intend to own their own float tanks, apart from price, space would be another significant element to consider before going out and buying a float pod.
The space selected to fit the tank or pod, must have a drainage outlet and preferably quiet and has light dimming controls as limiting sound and light are essential components of the therapy.