
Hitting the stop button; the sound of silence
Albeit our access to a plethora of meditation apps, social media outlets and remote connections, many of us continue to feel disconnected and struggling to maintain mental and emotional wellbeing. Not only are we disconnected from each other but worse yet, from ourselves. Sure we can list our personal needs and what we necessitate to thrive but losing sight of who we are can make it easy to lose our path all together. As we navigate our fears, stress and search for meaning in our lives, itʼs easy to get overwhelmed making it easier to disconnect and become unable to have healthy connections with others. Itʼs not a big leap to see the cause and effect of inner disconnectedness to depression and anxiety, but digestive concerns? Memory issues? Chronic illness? The answer is a resounding yes!
One of the most underrated means to gain inner peace is simply to just be in silence. On average, we have over 6,000 thoughts per day, and not all to our benefit. Being in constant stimulation keeps the nervous system activated, which is why just the opposite can be the gateway to endless possibilities. If your meditation practice could use fine tuning and taking a hike in nature isnʼt always feasible, floatation therapy or sensory deprivation, can be the silence you need to to reconnect with your true self and reset unhealthy patterns. Flotation therapy is also an avenue to explore physical relaxation and rejuvenation. When the physical body is relaxed and tension released, recovery can begin. The reconnection of the body and mind changes the narrative, it makes being fully present, moment to moment possible.
You may have driven by a float spa, but what the heck is it? The first float, or sensory deprivation tank, was designed by American physician and neuroscientist Jon C. Lilly in 1954, who wanted to study the origins of consciousness by cutting off all external stimuli. The water in a sensory deprivation tub is heated to skin temperature and nearly saturated with Epsom salts creating buoyancy and enabling a floating sensation. Unplugged from light, sound and gravity leaves you weightless while immersed in the stillness of each moment. Flotation tanks or tubs with an open concept can help alleviate the anxieties of itʼs closed counterpart.
Floating in a sensory deprivation tank has been shown to benefit sleep, pain and muscle relaxation while decreasing overall stress and anxiety. Like most extraordinary things, the potential is in the practice. The more time you spend to cultivate your practice, the easier it becomes to access the intangible. In my experience with flotation therapy, what I found even more enticing is the increase in imagination, enhanced intuition and creativity. In those moments with myself I came to a place of surrender, forgiveness and joyful inspiration. Every session was
an opportunity I reveled in.
While the pace of life continues to fluctuate, at times even seemingly aimed at upsetting our natural balance, transformation can be a constant force. Finding quiet moments enhances awareness in deciphering the myriad of thoughts, demands and emotions. Mostly in the sound of silence, you will hear your mind, body and soul.