Kelsy’s Tips Before You Float

As I think back to when I was first learning about floating, I think about all of the things that I wish I’d known before my first floats. So, I thought I’d share some info with y’all to help you out before your first float!  We also have a Float Orientation video that you could watch before you come!

General info/tips:

• You don’t NEED to bring anything with you for your float. We have all the good stuff: shampoo, towels, ear plugs, and Q-tips.
• However, if you wear contacts, you might want to bring your contacts case & some solution. Some people feel more comfortable floating without their contacts.
• Sometimes people also like to bring a comb or shower shoes.
• Don’t shave before your float. Razor burn + saltwater = Ouch.
• Try to avoid caffeine before you float. Caffeine beforehand can make it harder for you to relax while floating.
• Most people use the earplugs that we provide to keep the saltwater out of their ears while they float! This also means that you won’t have any water stuck in your ears for days on end after you float. Win-win! (If you do get water in your ears, we have an ear wash for you to use post-float that can help clear out your ears.)
• Since you’ll be in a private room while you’re floating, most people choose to float in their birthday suit!
• Everyone is required to shower before they float. This helps reduce the amount of outside contaminants that end up in the tanks, which helps us keep the tanks nice & clean for each person.  Pro-tip: Try taking a shower that’s a touch chilly to lower your body temperature.  This will make the water seem warmer if you tend to run cold.
• It’s totally okay to fall asleep in the tanks! One hour of sleep in the float tank is approximately equivalent to four hours of normal sleep (awesome, right?!) and because the water is so buoyant, it is incredibly difficult to unconsciously roll over while in the tanks.  So no worries about drowning if you do fall asleep while floating.
• Setting an intention/purpose for your session is often helpful.  Just be fluid and don’t try to control your experience.  Remember, intentions are very different from expectations.

When CAN’T I float?

• If you’ve gotten a new tattoo recently, you’ll want to wait to schedule your float for after your tattoo has healed.  Whether your tattoo is fresh, or is even just slightly sensitive, it’s going to sting something fierce if you get in a tank full of saltwater!
• If you like your hair to be funky colors (rainbow hair, anyone?) and you’ve recently dyed it, you’ll want to be sure that your shower water is running clear before you schedule your float.
• Ladies: if “Aunt Flo” is visiting, you’ll need to reschedule your float.
• Additionally, we will not allow you to float if you:
  • are considered a high-risk pregnancy
  • have infectious skin or respiratory disorders
  • experience incontinence
  • have uncontrolled epilepsy or serious mental conditions
  • are under the influence of any drug or alcohol or
  • are under 18 without parental consent and/or presence.

Tanky Tidbits

• We have two float rooms with Oasis Tanks.
• Containing around 35% salt means it’s impossible for you to sink!  That’s part of what makes floating so cool; you can let go of everything, let your body relax, and the saltwater is so buoyant that it holds you up!
  • For me, this has also led to the identification of “problem spots” in my body.  Since I know that I usually carry most of my stress in my neck & shoulders, if I notice pain there, that tells me that I’ve been extra stressed and need to put some work into my daily de-stressing practices.
• The lights in the room are on a motion sensor, but you can choose to keep the main overhead light on if you helps you at first.
• There are no lights inside the tank, but you could always request to take in one our glow speakers.
• It will be completely silent during your float session, then we’ll turn music on at the end to gently let you know your time is up.  If you’d like to listen to your own playlist, podcast, guided meditations, you’re welcome to bring your own device and we can plug you into the tank speakers or use the glow speaker!  However, I highly recommend trying out the “distraction-free” route and give your brain a chance to process all that it absorbs.
• There’s a float pillow available for you.  You might need to tell your head to trust the water or else you’ll end up with a sore neck from (unnecessarily) trying to keep your head afloat.  Try it without the pillow first.  The water is your pillow!  We also have pool noodles available if you’d like to experiment with comfortable positions.

For me, the first time I floated was difficult from a mental standpoint. It takes real mental strength to be able to totally let go, to clear your mind and relax while floating. You might find yourself restless during your first float(s), but the more often you float, the better you’ll become at relaxing while floating. Don’t get discouraged.   Kathryn put together some pointers incase you need help letting go!  Hopefully these tips & facts will help you with knowing what to expect for your first float.  Head over to our Q&A Page if you have more questions!