As the saying goes “when one contemplates a good thing, it automatically becomes a bad thing” and this applies to a recent trend among fitness enthusiasts relating to floatation therapy.
What is floatation therapy?
Floatation therapy is a ‘restricted environment stimulation technique’ (R.E.S.T) to which an explanation is warranted. Floatation therapy or REST involves creating an environment for individuals that ‘blocks out’ external stimuli in order to induce calmness to our brain.
In normal situations, our brain is bombarded by external stimuli constantly rendering it into ‘hive mode’ where it is abuzz with activity. The amount of information that flows to the brain every second via our external sensory inputs is immense and would require multiple supercomputers to crunch data for months what our brain does in a split second.
The external stimuli that we are referring to here include vision, sound, hearing, temperature changes and gravity which trigger an incredible level of brain activity.
The REST technique basically blankets these external stimuli as when subjects float in a partially submerged state (unable to tell which section of their body is below the waterline and which sections are above, individuals start feeling weightless which is a signal that the brain does not have to contend with the effects of gravity anymore.
How floatation therapy helps?
Coupled with the fact that the floatation tank is also soundproofed or come with earplugs, dark and odorless stops the impact caused by the other external stimuli leaving the brain to only deal with atmospheric pressure which doesn’t create enough buzz alone. This situation that individuals who float are in allows their brain to go into what researchers refer to as “a deep state of relaxation”.
This state of ‘deep relaxation’ is akin to serious meditation levels that could only be achieved by those who have been meditating for years and have mastered the arts of meditation.
Achieving ‘Theta Brainwave’
Folat therapy is a short to achieve ‘Theta Brainwave’ states when brain activity is reduced so much that the brain is able to ‘focus’ on the status of our other biological functions that are usually neglected.
The surge in available resources is diverted towards recalibrating chemical balances which balances hormone levels which CRITICAL TOWARDS establishing moods, enhancing focus, increasing clarity, reducing stress and inhibiting anxiety.
The balancing of these elements is the main crux of the effectiveness of floatation therapy which is why those who float regularly are able to engage activities with a much clearer state of mind that allows them to outperform their own ‘usual performance’ abilities.
How it helped an athlete
This is the main reason as to why athletes make floatation therapy a routine in their schedules. A good example of an athlete that credits floatation therapy as one of her ‘critical success factor’ is 49-year-old Rebecca Rush who has made her mark as an ultra-endurance athlete.
Rebecca Rush initially tried meditation to enhance her performance, but her attempts were thwarted due to distraction which according to her could be anything from pressure on muscles to traffic noise outside her home.
It is then when she decided to try out a floatation tank session and much to her surprise, she was able to slip into a trancelike state within minutes.
She also indicated that the impact that it had on her performance as an athlete was ‘more than just significant’ and in her own words “I came out of that tank supercharged” and “it was complete rest”.
Article Submitted By Community Writer