Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults in the U.S. age 18 or older, or 18.1% of the population every year. While anxiety disorders can take many forms, 30% of cases can manifest physically through panic attacks. Victims in the throes of a panic attack describe becoming a prisoner trapped in their own body with their joints locking up, their vision tunneling as their chest tightens to the point they feel their heartbeat pulsing in their temples, their breathing constricting, and fight or flight unfolding.
While any internet search yields results ranging from meditation to medication to treat anxiety attacks at their onset, one option that is often overlooked is float therapy, which when utilized regularly can help relax anxiety-ridden individuals and minimize the potential of triggering panic attacks.
Floating provides a sensory and gravity-free environment that restricts external stimulus so the mind and body can reach a deep state of relaxation and natural healing. At True REST Float Spa clients float effortlessly in float pods filled with 10 inches of water that is a mixture of one-third Epsom salts – approximately 1,000 pounds – and two-thirds water warmed to a temperature of 93.5 F, the typical skin temperature. Within minutes, a deep state of relaxation and rejuvenation can be achieved.
The words “self-care” are often paired with rest, relaxation and meditation, but the truth is, it’s often hard to find ourselves really allowing that deep rest to naturally happen. When was the last time you rested in complete darkness, completely weightless, without any movement for a full hour?
With so much distraction in our world, we have to look inwards more often to stay centered and open in cultivation of our inner peace. I haven’t found any other tool that gets me into as deep of a restful space the way floating can. It is a straightforward path to wellness and cleansing, on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level, and the truth is, there really isn’t anything else that can compare to it. It just seems to keep working for so many of us, time and time again.
Realistically, life will always be throwing curveballs at you from left and right field, but it’s important to stay centered within yourself. If you’re anything like me, the treadmill of life can make you feel like you’re always two steps behind. That causes us stress, even if it’s subconsciously! The body isn’t designed for the craziness of a 24/7 nonstop, highly-stressful life. Being busy and overscheduled is a significant problem when it comes to our health and well-being. Stress floods your body with cortisol and if it goes unchecked, it can lead to declining health and chronic disease.
We can combat the craziness that life brings with a simple 60 minutes of floating. Downtime, rest, stillness and slowing down are essential for healing – especially if you already have declining health and/or chronic disease. The aftereffects of just one float tell it all: increased mental clarity and sensations of peace and neutrality, decreased anxiety and depression, and decreased cortisol.
A scientific study addressing anxiety, “Flotation REST in Applied Psychophysiology” by Thomas H. Fine, M.A. and Roderick Borrie, Ph.D. at the Medical College of Ohio, noted, “Patients reported far more relief from anxiety and stress from flotation than any other modality. For depression, flotation was equal to counseling at near 70%, with relaxation training at 53% and physical therapy and medication at 20%.”
Roughly 1 out of every 13 people in the world have anxiety, and in recent years that number seems only to be on the rise. There is something here, something that is really powerful and can help all walks of life face their internal challenges. There is no doubt in my mind that floating is one of the most effective ways to help people, now and into the future.
About True REST Float Spa
True REST Float Spa is a world’s largest float spa brand. With over 78 awarded franchised locations across the country, it is on its way to servicing 1 million floats. True REST Float Spa has created a luxury float spa experience in 10 inches of water and one thousand pounds of Epsom salts. Clients float effortlessly in their float suite. Each location is dedicated to providing pain relief, relaxation and better sleep through a 60-minute float session. True REST Float Spa offers monthly memberships programs and packages.
Nick Janicki is the founder of True REST franchising, voted #7 best new franchise in 2019 according to Entrepreneur magazine. True REST has 32 locations open, a dozen more under construction and 70 total units sold. True REST offers floatation therapy in luxury private suites and has helped tens of thousands of people with chronic pain, stress, sleep disorders, anxiety and depression. Elite athletes and navy seals are using floating for recovery, improved performance and super-learning. Nick and Holly Janicki opened the first True REST Float Spa in 2009, after searching the globe for the most advanced available healing technologies for their own use. They spent months of research and planning and bet their life savings on this form of relaxation. It worked. Nick has an extensive meditation background and believes the “human being” is the highest and most underutilized technology in this dimensional plane. Nick believes in a cosmic characteristic that guides all beings and hopes humankind can progress their moral character and general nature towards integrity, goodness and temperance.
Have you tried a Float Spa? Love to hear your comments…