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Suffering from overstimulation -

If you have ever felt overstimulated by the constant buzz of modern life and wondered what to do about it, a sensory deprivation tank could be just the thing for you.

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The creator -

Also known as restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST) tanks, sensory deprivation tanks were invented by neuroscientist John Lilly in the 1950s.

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Basic concept -

The basic idea with a sensory deprivation session is that you lie on your back in a tank filled with salt water. The room is dark and quiet, which allows you to float and relax.

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Initial motivation -

REST tanks were first developed as a method of seeing how the central nervous system would respond to being in an environment with minimal sensory stimulation.

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Mainstream treatment -

Nowadays sensory deprivation tanks are a mainstream wellness treatment popular with spas the world over, and they have several potential health benefits.

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Health benefits -

While there have not been many scientific studies on the benefits of sensory deprivation therapy, many people do report that it helps them relax.

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Relaxation -

Indeed, there was one study that used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look at the central nervous systems of 56 healthy participants after a 90-minute REST session.

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Relaxation -

The study found that after the session the stimulation of the central nervous systems of the participants was reduced, suggesting they felt more relaxed.

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Reduced anxiety -

There was also one very small study that found that sensory deprivation sessions can help reduce anxiety.

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Reduced anxiety -

In the study, participants who underwent 12 sessions of REST therapy had greater decreases in their levels of anxiety than the participants who didn’t do the therapy.

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Reduced anxiety -

However, when it comes to anxiety, sensory deprivation is recommended as a supplemental treatment to other treatments, such as therapy and medication.

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Improved sleep -

Sensory deprivation may also help improve sleep. In one study, participants who did REST therapy for 12 weeks had fewer sleep difficulties than those who didn’t.

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Improved sleep -

Doctors believe that sensory deprivation therapy may help people sleep because it helps the body become more relaxed, thereby priming it for rest.

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Improved sleep -

In another small study, however, results were mixed: only three out of six participants experienced improvements in their sleep quality after 12 REST sessions of 45 minutes each.

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Lower blood pressure -

Research suggests that a 90-minute sensory deprivation session can significantly, albeit temporarily, reduce blood pressure.

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Lower blood pressure -

According to doctors, this is because relaxation lowers the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body.

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Lower blood pressure -

For people who have high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, it is important to find ways to relax, and REST may be one way to do this.

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Helps recovery -

There is also some research that suggests that for athletes and people who work out regularly, REST sessions can help in aiding the body’s recovery.

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Helps recovery -

Indeed, flotation therapy has been shown to reduce muscle and joint soreness after exercise.

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Helps recovery -

Since sensory deprivation is also linked with improved sleep, some athletes also use it the night before competing, in order to ensure they are well rested.

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Negative side effects -

Research suggests that sensory deprivation has minimal negative side effects. Indeed, the most prominent ones observed in one study were dry mouth and mild itching.

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Adverse psychiatric symptoms -

However, in rare cases adverse psychiatric symptoms, such as hallucinations and flashbacks, have emerged in certain individuals.

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When to see a doctor -

For this reason, it is recommended that people with claustrophobia, breathing difficulties, high blood pressure, or epilepsy consult their doctor before trying this therapy.

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Breathing difficulties -

Additionally, people with breathing difficulties or allergies should take precautions because of the salt in the water.

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Top tips -

If you do decide to try flotation therapy, there are several things you can do in order to make sure you make the most of your experience.

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Go in with intention -

First up, try to go into the session with care and intention. Consider making a written intention or focusing on a personal mantra during the experience.

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Prepare your body -

Before you immerse yourself in the water, it is a good idea to prepare your body and mind by performing some light stretching or meditation.

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Go easy on yourself -

Once you are in the water, give yourself some time to acclimatize and remind yourself that it is okay to feel a little discomfort at first.

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Breathe deeply -

Try to breathe deeply during the session, since this can help deepen your experience and increase relaxation.

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Follow up -

Finally, after the experience, consider doing some journaling to help you reflect on how it went and what you achieved during the session.

Sources: (Verywell Mind) (Forbes)

See also: How to deal with stress, according to your star sign

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