Free Your Body, Free Your Mind..
Most people that have floated may be well aware of all of the physical benefits of floating in 500kg of saturated epsom salt solution for an hour, the daily stressors built up in your body disappearing as you float away in the stillness of the pod environment. What many people floating for the first time don’t realise is that there are a plethora of benefits for your mental state of mind too!
When the mind is in an environment where all external distractions and stimuli are removed, it can go into an extremely relaxed state, your worries dissolving one by one. As the brain goes into theta wave (a meditative state), you start to produce a higher amount of happy hormones, and natural pain-relief hormones such as dopamine and serotonin. As your heart rate slows down and you step out of flight or fight mode, your stress hormones lower and your nervous system can go into a parasympathetic state (the place where all the magic happens, different systems within your body can start go into healing mode instead of producing high levels of adrenalin that daily stressors and life brings). So here is the game changer… These effects can last for days after! Post floaters experience for several days after feeling relaxed, euphoric yet energised and revitalised all at the same time. Yes please sign us up for a bit of those feels! Float Therapy is an incredibly effective therapy to assist with bringing your mind into a balanced, stress-free state. Regular floaters have reported reduced levels of anxiety, depression and a positive effect on the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
It is estimated that over 3 million Australians are living with depression or anxiety. Worldwide, depression is the leading cause of disability and it is estimated in Australia that 45% of people will experience a mental health condition within their lifetime. In Australia, it’s estimated that 45 per cent of people will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime (statistics via BeyondBlue.org – published on Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008). In current day, these statistics are on the rise, however the good news is that therapies and services are readily available in conjunction with an individual’s prescribed mental health management, to assist in providing added support. It is becoming increasingly popular to incorporate mindfulness meditation, and other stress reducing techniques to promote healthy mental health.
In recent neuroscience research scientists have analysed the human brain during practices like meditation and monitored the changes within brain activity. Research from fMRI studies show that meditating activates parts of the brain associated with attention and decreases activation in the amygdala, the part of the brain that triggers fight-or-flight response to a real or perceived threat – changes being more pronounced in expert meditators than beginners. The stance of the National Institute of Health (NIH) is that research supports meditation for lowering blood pressure, lowering stress hormones and easing symptoms of anxiety and depression (TIME magazine, 2016).
We are so elated to be able to provide a therapy that can assist in promoting a healthy mental health state! You can BOOK an APPOINTMENT via our website or on (08) 6277 0060.
For more information on Mental Health Awareness you can check out events and support services HERE.
If you are a loved one are requiring urgent mental health assistance contact Emergency Services: (000) or Lifeline Australia Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention: 13 11 14
