Floating means lying in shallow, skin-temperature water loaded with Epsom salt, usually in a dark, quiet pod or room. Researchers call it Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy). It's one of the few recovery modalities with research focused mainly on the mind.
Key takeaways
- A 2018 study found a single one-hour float reduced anxiety and improved mood in people with anxiety and stress-related disorders.
- A randomized pilot trial found a series of floats reduced stress, depression, anxiety and pain and improved sleep quality compared with a waitlist.
- Studies are still relatively small. Floating is best described as a promising relaxation tool.
Floating and anxiety
In a 2018 study at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Justin Feinstein and colleagues had 50 people with anxiety and stress-related disorders do a single one-hour float. Participants reported large reductions in anxiety and improvements in mood afterward, along with lower muscle tension and pain [1]. A single session study can't show long-term effects, but it's a strong signal and it led to larger ongoing trials.
Floating for stress, sleep and pain
A 2014 randomized controlled pilot trial by Anette Kjellgren and Jessica Westman assigned 65 participants to either 12 float sessions over seven weeks or a waitlist. The float group reported lower stress, depression, anxiety and pain, along with better sleep quality and optimism, compared with the control group. Some benefits were still present at a four-month follow-up [2].
What about physical recovery?
Athletes use floating for rest and soreness, and small studies have explored this, but the research on physical recovery is thinner than for mental relaxation. We'd describe float tanks as a mind-first recovery tool that many athletes enjoy, not a substitute for sleep or training load management.
What this means for gyms and studios
Float pods are a premium, high-ticket amenity with real operating demands: heavy filled weight, water care, salt and cleaning between sessions. They work best in studios that can sell 60 to 90 minute sessions and have the space and plumbing. See our float tank buying guide for what to plan for.
Safety basics
- Don't float with fresh cuts, recent tattoos, or after shaving (the salt stings).
- Keep salt water out of your eyes. Use the spray bottle and towel provided.
- Talk to your doctor first if you have epilepsy, kidney problems, low blood pressure or are pregnant.
References
- Feinstein JS, Khalsa SS, Yeh HW, et al. Examining the short-term anxiolytic and antidepressant effect of Floatation-REST. PLoS ONE. 2018;13(2):e0190292. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0190292
- Kjellgren A, Westman J. Beneficial effects of treatment with sensory isolation in flotation-tank as a preventive health-care intervention: a randomized controlled pilot trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014;14:417. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-14-417
The information on this site is for general education and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor before starting heat, cold, light, pressure, float, PEMF or vibration therapy, especially if you are pregnant or have a medical condition. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Learn more.