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The Power of Doing Nothing: How Float Therapy Can Reset Your Mind
We live in a world that praises productivity.
We celebrate the hustle, the late nights, the color coded calendars, the never ending to do lists.
But what if the most powerful thing you could do for your mind and your body was… absolutely nothing?
That is exactly what float therapy invites you into. A full hour of stillness, quiet, and weightlessness. No notifications. No pressure. No performing. Just you and your nervous system finally taking a deep breath.
Today, we are breaking down what float therapy actually is, what happens inside your brain and body, and why so many people walk out of the tank saying, “I did not realize how much I needed that.”
What Float Therapy Really Is
Float therapy, also called sensory deprivation or REST, which stands for Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy, is the practice of floating effortlessly in warm water loaded with 800 to 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt.
The water is heated to match your skin temperature, which means it becomes almost invisible. You stop feeling the difference between where your body ends and the water begins.
The room is quiet. The lighting is low. Everything is intentionally designed to give your nervous system something it rarely gets: a complete pause.
Float tanks were created in the 1950s by neuroscientist Dr. John C. Lilly to study consciousness. Since then, they have evolved into a trusted wellness tool for athletes, creatives, first responders, busy parents, and anyone craving true rest.
What Happens in Your Brain
Most of us spend our days in “beta” brainwave activity, the state of problem solving, scrolling, reacting, and overthinking. It is useful, but it is exhausting.
Inside a float tank, all that external input fades.
Studies show the brain shifts naturally into theta waves, the dreamy space just before falling asleep or in deep meditation.
Theta waves are linked to creativity, emotional processing, and mental clarity.
Research published in Frontiers in Psychology found that after a single 60 minute float session, people experienced significant reductions in anxiety and muscle tension along with increased feelings of peace and well being. Another study from Karlstad University found a 31 percent drop in cortisol, which is the body’s main stress hormone.
This is your brain on rest.
What Happens in the Body
If your body could sigh with relief, this is when it would do it.
Because the saltwater holds your entire weight, your muscles, joints, and spine get a break from gravity. Pressure on the body drops to almost zero. Imagine your entire system releasing the tension it has been gripping without you even noticing.
Elite athletes like Stephen Curry and the New England Patriots use float therapy for faster recovery and injury prevention, but the benefits reach far beyond sports.
The magnesium in the Epsom salt helps
• relax tight muscles
• regulate the nervous system
• support deeper sleep
• boost serotonin
More than 60 percent of adults are deficient in magnesium, so floating helps restore what your body is craving.
Research in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies shows consistent improvements in chronic pain, tension headaches, and soreness for days after floating.
What a Session Feels Like
Your experience begins with a shower to remove oils or lotions. Then you step into the float suite, warm and quiet, and gently lower yourself into the water.
You do not have to try to float. Your body just does it.
The first few minutes, your mind may wander. Totally normal. Then your breath slows. Your thoughts soften. Your body begins to drift.
Most people gradually enter something called the hypnagogic state, a peaceful in between place where the body is deeply relaxed and the mind feels open and creative. Some of the world’s greatest thinkers used similar states for ideas and problem solving.
The session lasts about 60 minutes, but time becomes blurry in the best possible way. When soft music fades in, it is your cue to re-ground.
You shower again, hydrate, and walk out feeling lighter, clearer, and deeply refreshed. Many people say it feels like taking the best nap of your life without ever fully falling asleep.
Journaling afterward helps capture any insights or emotions that surface while your brain is still in that open theta state.
What The Research Is Showing
A 2018 meta analysis in PLOS ONE concluded that float therapy consistently lowers stress, anxiety, and blood pressure while improving sleep and overall well being.
Another study found that people who floated weekly for six weeks experienced up to a 40 percent improvement in mood.
Neuroscientists using fMRI scans found decreased activity in the amygdala, the fear and stress center of the brain, and increased activity in areas tied to introspection and inner calm.
One of the most exciting findings is this: float therapy activates the same brain regions as deep meditation, even for people who have never meditated before.
Which means you can access the benefits of meditation without needing years of practice.
The Ripple Effect You Feel Afterward
Floating resets your nervous system in a way that can last long after you step out of the tank.
Regular floaters often share that they experience
• deeper and more restful sleep
• better focus and clarity
• reduced muscle soreness
• a calmer baseline
• more patience and emotional balance
Researchers call this the carryover effect, meaning the body learns what calm feels like and begins to return there more often.
And the best part is that there is no skill to master. You simply show up and let the water support you.
A New Way to Think About Rest
In a world that glorifies constant doing, float therapy reminds us that rest is not a reward after the work. Rest is part of the work.
It is not lazy. It is not indulgent. It is not optional.
It is healing.
If you are curious about trying a float session or want to understand the science behind why it works, Kyle dives even deeper in our podcast episode for this week. It is a beautiful blend of heart, research, and real world experience, and it will give you a fuller picture of why so many people swear by this practice.
🎧 Listen to the episode and explore what floating can unlock for you.
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
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*We are not medical professionals, and the information provided in this blog and podcast is for informational purposes only. Wellness practices mentioned should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider if you have any questions about your health.
