For about as long as I can remember, I’ve fancied trying floatation therapy – particularly for the sensory deprivation aspect of it.

The thought of being in a void, free of distraction, commitment, of my senses and the world is comforting.

I wrote a poem once where I coined the phrase “Mind Field”, the concept being that the brain is a verdant landscape that we need to journey through, beneath the surface of which lies explosive thoughts and feelings. These can manifest as a burst of creativity or motivation, or disabling panic or anxiety, and everything between.

I’ve often wondered what my brain would be like without these lurking emotional explosions.

What better place could there be to quiet the mind than a place where you can’t see, hear or touch external stimuli?

I’ve mentioned this in passing over the years, and for Christmas this year Tracy gifted me a voucher for three float therapy sessions at Float One, located just outside of Glasgow.

Since Christmas day, I had been researching float therapy and learning what to expect. Some people report that they find it relaxing, other state that it was overwhelming, whilst others describe it as being a spiritual or transcendental experience.

I booked a Friday evening after work. I read that having exercised before hand can maximise the effects of the therapy.

As Tracy was visiting a friend, I played some lo-fi music on my headphones to slow my mind and did a little housework. Tracy then picked me up and took me to my first session.

The initial challenge was finding the place, the satnav took us to the postcode but the clinic was within a business park.

We drove around for a bit before finding a sign that mapped out the businesses, and got there in the end.

As I entered, there was a stark contrast between the industrial nature of the business park and the unit itself. It was light and open with splashes of nature from plants around the lobby.

I was greeted by Mhairi. Who took my details, and showed me to Room 2.

Mhairi explained the basics of the floatation tank, that it would take five minutes to fill and that there was 500 kg of Epsom Salt in the water, which was warmed to just below body temperature.

She detailed how to open and close the tank door, and that there would be music playing for the first 10 minutes and last five minutes of the session.

Lastly she highlighted the shower area, the ear plugs (which reduce any external noise and stops the salty water from getting into your ear) and the Sea Kelp products from the Fine Scottish Soaps Company, and left me to it.

The Float

I had a quick shower, water only, before my session. I hit the touch pad to turn out the room light and climbed into what I can only describe as a huge egg.

I half-expected to wake up in the future.

I popped my earplugs in, entered the pod, closed the door and placed the foam halo pillow at my head. I initially tried without the pillow but I couldn’t get used to the tension in my neck.

I lay back and closed my eyes, getting used to the feeling of weightlessness as the music stopped, and the lights dimmed to darkness.

There I was, floating in the void, drifting through space inside my strange shaped ship.

As I lay there, with nothing claiming my attention, I felt at peace. I became aware of my own breath, taking deep breaths and slowly exhaling, effectively meditation.

I then began to hear my heart beat in close synchronisation with my breaths. Each a complimentary pattern to the other.

In a place of true calm, absent of stimuli, my brain began to entertain itself.

I could see a field of dark blue, before which swam black shapes, my first thought was ‘manta rays’. That’s how they moved, a gentle flight, passing like a mental screen saver – my deep breaths continued.

My mind then drifted to milestones in my daughter’s life. Her first steps, her first words (one of which was Dada – common as Mama is a more difficult sound) and her first day of primary school.

I got a little emotional, close to tearing up. The thoughts then faded, and the shapes returned. This time, silhouettes of musicians, I made out Shane MacGowan, Serj Tankian and the outline of a piano player with curly hair, Regina Spektor most likely. I was observing a bizarre, silent jam session through faint light.

I then had the urge to move a little, I raised my arm over my head and got salt water in my eye, man it stung. I had to open the tank, and grab the spray bottle of water and face towel to wipe my eyes.

When my eye stopped stinging, I closed the door and lay back again. I was treated to a dark sea of stars, and the light of the brilliant amber moon I saw in the sky on the way to the clinic.

There was a sudden change in colour, as the tank lights illuminated. For a moment I thought it was my mind playing tricks on me – before hearing the soft music.

I let my eyes adjust to the lights, and exited my pod. I had awoken in the future! An hour later to be exact.

I showered, feeling the salt wash from my body, and my hair growing less coarse.

The complimentary products are great and left me feeling fresh and glowing.

At the front desk Mhairi asked how my session was. I tried to explain as best as I could, that I had been seeing things, that I felt super relaxed and generally just better.

I provided a little constructive feedback, that a shower seat would be of huge benefit to customers with poor mobility, or even non-disabled customers who were a little weary post float. This was graciously accepted, which is the sign of a good business – recognising there’s always ways to improve.

We said our goodbyes, I met Tracy at the car and tried to articulate my spirit quest, as my brain function slowly returned.

Final Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was exactly what I needed, a break from the world, the opportunity to clear my mind and the chance to relax.

I felt calm for the rest of the evening, and even now a few days on. Although I did have some vivid dreams the night of the float.

I would recommend this to everyone, but those with major mobility issues may struggle. There are no rails of holds to get in or out of the floatation tank – so depending on your disability you may need to be helped in and out.

There is an emergency button in the tank in case of an urgent situation, so there are safety features built in.

You also have the option of having music playing within the tank, or not. This may be helpful for those who are neurodiverse.

In short, I loved it and look forward to my remaining two sessions.

Have you tried floatation therapy? If so, how did you find it?