How Can Float Therapy Help?
The primary way float therapy tackles addictions is by eliminating all distractions. While in the tank, the floater is able to let go of all thoughts of their bad habits or addictions. As the floater releases these thoughts, he or she can focus instead on positive habits and goals. With this approach, floatation therapy encourages the addict to engage in intense meditation to reduce his or her dependence on the addiction or habit.
Floatation therapy has been used successfully to defeat a wide variety of addictions and bad habits, including the following:
- Smoking. Studies have been conducted that show floating can be an effective intervention technique for smokers who are motivated to quit. In fact, one study found that floating could cause a 50% reduction in smoking over a one-year period.
- Overeating. Floatation therapy has been shown to work well as a part of weight loss programs. Because of floatation therapy’s positive effect on endorphin production, floaters are more easily able to ignore withdrawal symptoms that may be associated with a tendency to overeat.
- Drug and alcohol addiction. In addition to suppressing withdrawal symptoms, floatation therapy has been found to be highly effective in treating addictive behaviors because it is a flexible treatment that can be used to target complex behavioral issues.
Taking Charge of Addiction
In order to take advantage of these benefits, individuals with addictive behaviors should institute a regime of regular float sessions. Before each float session, come up with an intentional plan for meditation. For instance, a smoker may choose to focus on how much healthier his or her life is without cigarettes. Once you enter the tank, focus on letting go of all of the desires associated with the addiction or habit so you can meditate on positive habits and goals.