We get asked regularly “What is the best time to float?” This is not an easy question to answer because we are all different and quite often each float can be different too. It can depend on three main things:
1. What do you want to achieve from your float?
2. What is going on in your world?
3. What is going on in your mind?
What Do You Want To Achieve From Your Float?
Most people who come into our float rooms for a session come to relax. They want to switch off and get the deepest rest possible. Some people come for other reasons such as to rehearse a business proposal or speech; to creatively think through an issue; or to help switch their sleep cycle from doing night shifts to day shifts.
We have many nurses and other shift workers who will book in at the end of their last night shift in a cycle and float then. Studies have shown that one hour of complete rest in a float pod is equivalent to 3-4 hours of normal sleep, so this is a great way to reset your clock and get used to daytime hours once more.
For those who float to be creative or do mental rehearsals for sport or work, we are open from 10:30 am – 9 pm most days so they can find the right time in their schedule for this. Usually, I would recommend doing this before the big day not on the big day as you might be so relaxed that you miss out on the benefits of adrenaline to boost your brain and your thinking during your important speech or exam, for example.
What Is Going On In Your World?
Float therapy is great for stress and overwhelm, but it is really important to find the right time to float to get the best benefits. If you are floating to relieve stress, usually the best time to float is at the time of the day when you don’t have many tasks to complete after your float. There is nothing worse than hopping in the pod, switching off the lights, and then thinking about all the things you should be doing instead of lying here! Our suggestion is to get all of those tasks completed, then hop in the pod. We offer floats at 5:30 pm and 7:15 pm 4-5 times a week so that people can float after work for this purpose. Other people book in a float early in the day on a rostered day off or at the beginning of a holiday to start the day/holiday/weekend refreshed and relaxed.
Floating for overwhelm is different than for stress. When you’re feeling overwhelmed and unable to perform tasks efficiently, such as forgetting things, poor time management, incomplete work, and a lack of clear thinking, then schedule a float session ASAP to reset. Usually, it is the time when you don’t think you have time to float that you will get the most benefit from floating! Floating will help you calm your overworked and overfiring nervous system, it will help you think clearly, get centred, and give you the rest your body needs. When you come out of the pod you will make up the time lost with clarity, purpose, and productivity.
What Is Going On In Your Mind?
If you are someone who finds it difficult to turn off your mind, then the best time to float is either at the end of the day (try our 5:30 or 7:15 pm floats) or in the afternoon slump (12:15 pm or 2 pm float). We recommend to our clients that if the thoughts continue to come whilst you are floating, go with them, and follow where they lead. Instead of fighting them and saying “No, I’m here to sleep!!” When you float your brain switches from left-brain thinking to right-brain. The left brain looks at all the intricate details where as your right brain looks at the issue at hand more wholistically and creatively, allowing you to visualise the issue and find creative solutions.
Usually, after you have recognised and followed your thoughts your mind is then ready to switch off for a while and the deep relaxation you desire in your float session follows.
