In the ever-evolving world of wellness, floatation tanks, also known as sensory deprivation tanks or isolation tanks, have emerged as a popular and powerful therapeutic tool in modern spas.
Whether you're a stressed-out professional, a tired athlete, or simply someone seeking a deeper state of relaxation, floatation therapy could be the rejuvenating experience you didn’t know you needed.
A floatation tank is a light proof, soundproof tank filled with water that’s heated to an ambient temperature and saturated with Epsom salts, allowing you to float effortlessly. Once inside, the outside world disappears, and you’re left suspended in a state of near-weightlessness. Sometimes they also play underwater music, and feature different lighting modes to add to the experience.
The buoyancy removes pressure from joints and muscles, which helps relieve tension, and also helps to reduce inflammation, and accelerate physical recovery. Many people find floatation helpful for chronic pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and post-workout aches and pains.
In our hyperconnected world, true silence and stillness are hard to come by. Floatation tanks offer an environment that's free from distractions, reducing cortisol levels and triggering a deep relaxation response.
Many people who have enjoyed floatation tanks report better sleep after sessions. The deep relaxation and stress reduction contribute to a more restful, uninterrupted night’s sleep - something especially valuable for those suffering from insomnia or irregular sleep patterns.
Sensory deprivation gives your brain a break from processing external stimuli. In this meditative state, your mind can explore creative thoughts, problem-solving, and introspection.
Epsom salts used in floatation tanks are rich in magnesium - a mineral that many of us are deficient in. Absorbing magnesium through the skin can support muscle function, nerve health, and can even improve sleep, as well as energy levels.
For those who struggle to meditate in traditional settings, floatation tanks can offer an ideal alternative. The absence of distraction allows for deeper meditation, mindfulness, and self-awareness without effort.
Spas are designed to be sanctuaries of calm, healing, and luxury—making them the ideal environment for floatation therapy. Integrating floatation tanks into a spa’s offerings complements other wellness experiences including massages, facials, and thermal suites, enhancing the other experiences and optimising the feeling of wellness.
There are a number of spas across the UK that feature floatation tanks. Some focus on the floatation experience, and for others it's one of a collection of facilities you can enjoy as part of your visit. Here are a few favourites:
Float Space, Palm Springs Spa is a day spa destination in Thorne, South Yorkshire, and a sanctuary for relaxation, rejuvenation, and holistic wellness, with two floatation therapy rooms, a massage therapy suite, and an infrared sauna. The intimate destination is perfect for a solo spa day or quality time with a friend, complete with yoga classes on Tuesday evenings.
Built inside a 19th century walled garden and part of the superb and luxurious Elizabethan architecture that is Ockenden Manor hotel, the Ockenden Manor Spa is a haven of tranquillity. Perfect for a romantic retreat, facilities include a gorgeous indoor heated pool that connects to the outdoors, an outside hot tub, as well as an isopod flotation tank for extreme relaxation. Treatments include decadent aromatherapy and reflexology therapies using natural ingredients and designed to offer the ultimate in relaxing experiences.
The Lowry Hotel is a stylish destination in Manchester, which prides itself on offering the extraordinary - especially in the spa, which invites you to ‘arrive beautiful, leave gorgeous’ alongside a generous helping of serenity. The spa is unique in its technology-based equipment - for example, you can try their Somadome experience - a technology-enabled meditation pod featuring a VR headset high quality videos of real-world locations from the beaches of Seychelles, to the Great Ocean Road in south east Australia. There's also a sensory deprivation floatation tank and a cryotherapy chamber.
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