What Happens to Your Body During a Float Session

Float therapy can sound a little intimidating if you’ve never tried it. You’re floating in complete darkness? In salt water? For an hour? We get the hesitation. But once you understand what’s actually happening, the experience becomes something you’ll crave.

Let us walk you through it.

Before You Get In

You’ll shower quickly to rinse off any oils or products. Then you’ll step into the float pod, which contains about 10 inches of water saturated with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt. This much salt makes the water so dense that you float effortlessly, like a cork.

The water is heated to skin temperature, around 93.5 degrees. This is intentional. After a few minutes, you lose track of where your body ends and the water begins.

The First 10 Minutes

When you first lie back, your mind might race. That’s completely normal. You might notice sounds you usually ignore, like your own heartbeat or breathing. You might fidget, trying to find the perfect position.

This is your brain adjusting. It’s used to constant input, notifications, and stimulation. Suddenly, there’s nothing to process. Give it time.

Minutes 10 to 30

This is when the magic starts. Your body realizes it doesn’t need to hold you up anymore. Muscles you didn’t know were tense begin to release. Your spine decompresses. Your shoulders drop away from your ears.

Your brain shifts into theta state, that dreamy zone between waking and sleeping. Ideas flow freely. Stress feels distant. Time gets slippery.

Minutes 30 to 60

By now, you’re deep in relaxation. Some people have profound creative insights. Others process emotions they’ve been avoiding. Many simply rest in a way they haven’t experienced since childhood.

The Epsom salt is also doing its work, pulling toxins from your body and delivering magnesium through your skin. Your muscles are recovering. Your nervous system is resetting.

After You Step Out

When the session ends, soft music fades in to bring you back gently. You’ll shower again to rinse off the salt, and then… you’ll notice it.

Everything feels softer. Sounds are clearer but less jarring. Your body feels loose and light. Most people describe it as feeling like they slept for eight hours, even though they were awake the whole time.

Before You Book

A few practical things: don’t drink caffeine for a few hours before. Don’t shave the day of (salt + fresh cuts = sting). Eat something light so you’re not distracted by hunger.

Sessions are 60 or 90 minutes. First-timers usually start with 60. If you’re claustrophobic, know that our float rooms are spacious-not cramped pods-and you control the door and lighting the entire time.