Stress affects many people and is arguably one of the most prominent ailments in our society today. There are many ways to manage stress in order to prevent health issues and many of these methods include traditional Western medicine. Other methods include alternative healing therapies, such as floatation therapy, which is often underrated as a stress management tool.
What is stress?
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. While stress in short bursts is said to activate quick positive reactions to avoid danger or control situations, prolonged stress which is also called chronic stress is very unhealthy.
Ongoing chronic stress can cause or exacerbate many serious health problems including mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and personality disorders. Other resulting health conditions can be cardiovascular disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks and stroke.
What are the most common types of stress?
Acute stress
Acute stress is not always negative. It can even be experienced while on a roller-coaster in the form of fear. Stress suffered as the victim of a crime or life-threatening situation however can cause mental health problems like post-traumatic stress disorder or acute stress disorder.
Chronic Stress
Chronic stress is stress that persists for a long period of time. This type of stress is problematic because it has the potential to trigger mental health issues and impact your immune system negatively, making you more susceptible to illnesses that can shorten your lfiespan.
Episodic Acute Stress
Frequent occurrence of acute stress is called episodic acute stress. People who are often anxious, irritable or short-tempered experience this kind of stress. Victims carry a persistent negative outlook to everything and worry over every small issue.
Physical Stress
Physical stress can occur from trauma due to injury, infection or any kind of surgery, intense physical labour, environmental pollution, inadequate oxygen supply, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, dehydration, substance abuse, dental problems, etc.
Scientific preliminary research has shown that floating may assist in lowering stress, anxiety and even depression by reducing how much sensory input the brain and nervous system receive because you’re suspended in water in the dark with earplugs.
What is floating?
Floatation therapy involves laying on your back in a tank filled with water. You will usually be given earplugs to stop the water from entering your ears. The act of being suspended in water while on your back will increase feelings of wellbeing, thereby reducing stress and negative emotions associated with it.
It’s worth mentioning that floating in salt water for therapeutic reasons is not new. People have made pilgrimages to the Dead Sea for centuries. However, over the past 15 years, there’s been a renewed interest in the practice, with chic flotation studios, offering 60-90-minute float sessions, cropping up all over metropolitan areas.
How is it done?
The water in each pod contains half a tonne of salt, allowing you to float effortlessly. It matches the temperature of your skin and the air, giving you the feeling of complete weightlessness. It’s usually pitch black and silent in the pod too, unless you wish to have relaxing music or the light on.
Once you are free from sensory input, the muscular-skeletal system and sympathetic nervous system wind down into a state of deep relaxation and serenity, in which your body and mind can heal and replenish – resulting in many benefits, like reduced stress and better sleep.
What are the benefits of floating for stress?
Combats stress
Floating combats stress in two main ways. First, the water’s magnesium inhibits Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a hormone that drives your adrenal glands to release the stress hormone cortisol. Magnesium also improves sleep quality, which contributes to feeling less stressed.
Relieves physical pain
Since floating oxygenates your body by promoting vasodilation – better blood flow to the brain, organs, and limbs, it serves to minimise muscular pain and even pain from degenerative disc disease or herniated disks.
Improves athletic performance
Floating helps you bounce back faster from workouts by reducing lactic acid in the blood. By floating fee of gravity, lactic acid passes out of the muscles faster, which reduces overall muscle stiffness and pain.
Next time you feel stressed, the solution could be in finding the nearest floating facility.
