Hoping To Float To Relaxation

Have you ever wanted to just check out of everything around you for a little while, like you're in the middle of the ocean with nobody and nothing else around? Well, that's what I'm about to do.

This afternoon, I'm going "floating".

Floating, also known as sensory deprivation therapy, is exactly that - you float in a bathtub like enclosure with no light, sound, or other outside stimulus.

So what's the point? From what I've read, it seems to serve different purposes for different people.

Some, like I suggested above, just need to "check out" of everything for a little while. No errands to run, no phones ringing, no traffic, weather, or obligations.

Some seek pain relief - the idea being that pressures on your body are lifted while you're floating, not even the strain that sitting or standing puts on your muscles and skeleton.

And some hope for a more metaphysical experience. The lack of outside stimulus allowing your mind to function without any other influences bombarding your mind.

What do I hope to accomplish? Honestly, I'm not sure. But I'm open minded. As with all of us, I have daily stresses and things that I worry about. After a long week of work, my bones and muscles get sore, and I like the idea of being able to just "shut off" for a little while.

So I'm heading up to Asbury Park in a little bit, to TaoMassage, where they offer "float therapy" to see what it's all about. I'll report my experience in the coming days.