Solitude Float and Wellness Spa
I step into the float tank, and the water feels neither warm, nor cold. I ease my way down into the saltwater. So far, so good. I check out the buttons that control the light and the music. Then I reach up to pull the lid closed, and in that moment I think, “Wait! What am I doing here exactly?”
The month of March in the area where I live can be pretty dreary. I was in need of a little pick-up-me, so I started searching around for something new and different to do right in my hometown. Turns out Solitude Float and Wellness Spa had recently set up business. My interest was piqued, and I decided to find out more about what Flotation Therapy is all about.
I did a little research, and discovered that Float Therapy is ofen used by athletes and sports teams. Floating enhances focus during athletic events and helps with muscle recovery after workouts. Flotation also has documented health benefits, including soothing chronic pain from ailments such as arthritis and fibromyalgia, improving sleep and lowering blood pressure. It decreases tension and stress, and can bring relief to those suffering from PTSD.
Flotation therapy is also known as “REST”. (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) Paticipants float in about a foot of water filled with about 12,000 pounds of Epsom salt. All that magnesium-rich salt makes floating effortless. It’s basically a sensory- deprivation tank: with the lid closed and music and lights turned off, it’s both sound and lightproof. With the water temperature so close to the temperature of your skin, you can lose the sense of where your body actually is. If this scenario creates anxiety, you can keep the tank’s lid open, or float with soft lights or gentle music on. You can open the lid at any time.
Who’s not up for a little stress reduction? Plus that ever so slight discomfort I felt at the thought of being enclosed in 7 foot by 4 foot pod let me know that this was something I needed to try. Some of my greatest experiences have come from pushing me outside of my comfort zone.
I am super excited as I drive to the Spa. Until I actually park my car and am about to walk in. Then it hits me: What if I am claustrophobic and don’t know it? For years, I never knew I had a fear of heights. I flew on planes, looked out of the windows inside of tall buildings, and even walked up to the railings of scenic overlooks with no problem whatsoever. It wasn’t until we were hiking along a narrow trail high above the Grand Canyon that this phobia suddenly reared up. We had to inch our way around a rocky outcropping that jutted out over the trail. I faced the cliff wall, hung on to the rock and was almost around it when I made the mistake of looking down. Instant panic attack. I broke out in a sweat and became paralyzed. While I made it past it, I simply could not make my way back around that rock to get back down to the river where our raft was beached. Turns out I don’t have an actual fear of heights as much as a fear of falling. I had to acknowledge my wimpiness and ask for help. It was an extremely humbling moment. Now I find myself recalling that overwhelming sense of terror, and wonder “What if something similar happens at the float spa? What if the lid closes on the float tank and I panic?”
I began to relax the instant I walk inside the door. Even the lobby area feels soothing. Sarah and her staff greet me and let me know what to expect. The calmness they project makes me feel calm as well. They tell me that there is a private shower in every float room, and participants take a shower before and after their float. The Spa provides towels and comfy robes, along with make-up remover, shampoo and body wash, and petroleum jelly to cover up any knicks or scratches that you might have. Ear plugs are provided to keep salt water out of your ears. Sarah shows me the makeup room where participants can blow-blow dry and curl their hair afterward.
Once I am in the float room, I am impressed with how clean and inviting everything is. I take my shower as instructed: shampoo, no conditioner, warm, not hot. In go the ear plugs, and I make my way to the tank.
As I close the domed lid, I am instantly relieved to realize that I have absolutely no sensation of being in an enclosed space. I can sit flly upright even with the lid shut. The handle of the lid is in plain view, and I can open it any time. I lay back, and sure enough, the saltwater keeps me fully buoyant, the water caming nowhere near my face . I can tell that I am floating if I move my arms or legs, but if I stay perfectly still I don’t even have the sensation of being in water.
I spend a few minutes experimenting with the different lighting and music options that are available. It is possible to change the color of the light, have a night sky with stars, or opt for complete blackness. I actually like the soothing music being played, but decide that if I am experimenting with sensory deprivation then I may as well go all-in. Off with the light. Off with the music.
There is also a halo float pillow that you can use to support your neck. It sounds appealing, but after floating on it for a few minutes I realize I am focusing on how the pillow feels. (Quieting my mind is not one of my strengths) Off with the pillow!
Here is my example of the thought process that you can expect to experience during your first float:
“What if I don’t hear the exit announcement and I don’t know when to get out? Will they even remember that I am back here?
Breathe in. Breathe out.
You do not have to hold your head up. Let it go.
Are my eyes closed?
Can I float with my palms facing up? No, apparently not. Too much work.
My nose itches. No, it doesn’t. Yes, it definitely does. NO, IT DOES NOT!
Hey: Where is my foot?
This really is relaxing. I can see why people like this.
It would be an awesome to give a float gift card to my friend who will be getting married. What a great way to calm wedding day jitters! For that matter, how about my friend with rheumatoid arthritis? Or my family member who just got done with chemotherapy? Or all of my teacher friends after a crazy week of parent-teacher conferences and no snow days?
Stop thinking!!
I don’t really feel like I am floating. It feels more like being in a hammock. Hey, remember that way cool hammock at the beach in Nicaragua?
Zzzzzzz….
Cut it out! That cannot be the exit announcement already! There is no way that I have been in here for an hour. (What will happen if I refuse to get out?)
Don’t plan on doing much of anything strenuous after your float. I plop myself down on one of Solitude’s comfy couches to have a bit of tea and feel myself relaxing even more as I sit there. A deep sense of calm comes over me. I seriously consider abandoning my car and calling David to come pick me up, as driving feels like effort at this moment. And my calm state of mind continues throughout the day.
Several of the Flotation Spa web sites that I checked out claimed that “The more you float, the better you feel!” It makes sense to me that this would be true. I found it somewhat difficult to relax the first 15 minutes or so into my float, and I’m betting I will get into a relaxed state more quickly the next time I go. They say it’s like meditation: it gets easier the more often you do it.
Check out the Solitude Float and Wellness Spa website to book your appointment if you find yourself in the Traverse City area. If you aren’t anywhere this beautiful town, find a Float Spa near you. A couple of things to know before you go: It is not recommended that you shave the day of your float. Any tiny scrapes or cuts you don’t even realize that you have will become quite obvious in salt water. Hair dyes can damage the float tanks, so schedule your appointment at least 10 days out if you’ve had highlights or colored your hair recently. And yes: they advise not wearing anything at all during your float. Wearing a bathing suit will only make you focus on the sensation of clothing against your skin. This certainly was true for me with the flotation pillow.
Try not to touch your face. And above all: Relax
I’m totally doing this for my birthday!
I know you will absolutely love it!
What an interesting idea! I’ve never considered an indoor spa for saltwater floating relaxation! I know floating in the ocean is relaxing! So this sounds intriguing!
Not only do I love floating in the ocean, I love just listening to the waves. That is the ultimate in relaxation!
I love float tanks. I have never fallen asleep in one though. LOL. The time really does fly when you are in one. The first time I left the pod open just a crack, but once I got the idea of what it was like, I not only closed the door all the way, I paid for extra time!
Not sure if I was actually asleep or just deeply spaced out. I can definitely see why people enjoy floating on a regular basis.
I have a feeling I’m too claustrophobic for this but it still really intrigues me!
I also worried about being claustrophobic, but as it turned out I didn’t feel as though I was in an enclosed space at all. The great part is that you can always leave the lid open if you like.
What a interesting read. Thanks so much for the post. Sounds very relaxing.
Thanks for checking out my post, Beth. It really was such a relaxing experience.
That is SO weird and cool and intriguing – naturally, I have to check this out now!
It is cool and intriguing, and I enjoyed it way more than I expected to. I hope you can find a float spa near you.
That sounds really interesting! Not something I’d probably have known about. Thanks for sharing!
I hadn’t hear about float therapy, either, until just recently. I have a feeling it’s going to become wildly popular.
We have a float spa near us and I LOVE it! Such an amazing feeling. I always feel so relaxed when I leave.
I was surprised at just how much I loved it. Definitely relaxing!
I had never heard of this before. It must be a unique feeling.
Try it if you can. You just might love it!
I have never heard of this before but man it sounds nice! I am ready to relax!
A float is the ultimate in stress-relief!
What a cool experience! I’ve never heard of a float spa before. It sounds wonderful to just let everything go. I need to see if there is a place near me.
You’ll have to check around. I hope there is a float spa near you!
I love floating.. so I tried this, it was a different experience. I would rather float in a pool at night..So glad you loved it!
Floating in a pool at night sounds pretty delightful, too!
It sounds interesting and relaxing! I think I’m too claustrophobic, but you never know. I might try it! I do love water!
Loving water will make it all worthwhile! Keeping the lid open can really up your comfort level.
I’ve heard about these, but really appreciate you sharing your actual experience. Answers so many questions. Thanks!
I had a ton of questions when I first went in, too. Sarah and her staff were so reassuring.
I’ve never heard of floatation therapy before, this sounds interesting.
I think it’s become more popular all of the time. Here’s hoping a float spa opens up near you!
I am really claustrophobic, so I don’t know if I could relax enough to enjoy this. When I was in high school I tried a tanning bed a few times and freaked out, and the side and ends of that are open! haha. If someone gave me a gift certificate for a float spa I’d give it a try and see how it goes, but I wouldn’t want to spend my own money and then end up chickening out. I know my mom would enjoy this though, it does look like a nice relaxing experience.
I also tried a tanning bed and didn’t enjoy it at all. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for someone in your area to send you a gift certificate!
This sounds absolutely amazing. I need to find one of those around here. It would be perfect after a long training run. Thanks for sharing!
It would be perfect after a long run, or any physical workout. Good luck finding a float spa near you!
Wow! The sounds awesome! Thanks for taking us through your inner dialogue during the process. Loved it LOL
Thanks, Kendra. Too much inner dialog is one of my weaknesses!
Hmmm… this would be really outside my comfort zone as I am claustrophobic! It sounds like something I might want to try… maybe with lights and music to start!
I highly recommend lights and music to start.
While this sounds relaxing I don’t think I could do it. I cannot get in or out of a tub.
I actually talked with the spa owner about this, as I have a friend with mobility issues who would love the warm water float, but would have difficulty getting in and out of the tub. I hope a solution can be found!
What an interesting experience! It reminds me of floating in the Dead Sea in Israel–lots of salt to help floating seem effortless, and you don’t want to shave the day of! I like that the lid can be up or down, since I am definitely claustrophobic. But the floating sounds very relaxing–a definite plus!
Yes! It is something like floating in the Great Salt Lake in Utah.
This sounds absolutely amazing! I hope I cget a chance to try it sometime.
I hope that you can find a Float Spa near you.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’ve wanted to try this for a long time. Now I’m Googling to see where the nearest floatation spa is.
I hope you are successful in your search. You would absolutely love floating!
It sounds relaxing! I love hot tubs and baths, so I’m sure I would love this – but probably with the lid open and some dim lights.
I’m with you: I also love hot tubs. I’m guessing you would love a float as well.
This sounds amazing! Can’t wait to see if there’s one near me – great article, thanks for sharing!
I hoe you can find a float spa, Roselyn. It’s a wonderful experience.
I had never even heard of floatation therapy! Thanks for this post!
I hope you find a float spa near you: You just might love it!
What a great story! Now I will definitely have to try this. I live right on the ocean but not a fan of going in because of the jellyfish and sharks…lol but I could definitely do this. Thanks for sharing such an awesome story!
You’d love it, Tammy. Guaranteed: No jellyfish and no sharks!