New floatation pool at Thermae Boetfort

It’s really quite simple, the only thing you have to do in this pool is to just ... float. Surrender to the water and discover the wonderful sensation of floating weightlessly for a moment. A floatation pool is filled with a high concentration of cleansing Epsom salts. This allows you to float in the water just like in the Dead Sea. During a floatation pool session, you shut out all external stimuli for a while, allowing you to relax 100%.

Lie back, with your head in the water, ears submerged. This is the most comfortable way to float. Focus on your breathing. This will help you reach a meditative state, which will give you the best result. The experience in a floatation pool will not be the same for everyone, but the general idea is to feel a deep sense of relaxation.

Floatation has several health benefits, both physical and mental:

Your breathing and heart rate slow down, making you feel totally relaxed and this helps you achieve better, deeper sleep.

Studies have shown that floating reduces the production of stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline) while promoting the production of happiness hormones (endorphins). In other words, floating makes you happy and less stressed!

You will experience faster muscle recovery. Floating effortlessly in water takes the pressure off your muscles and joints for a while, allowing your body to experience a true feeling of weightlessness. This loosens up tense muscles. What’s more, the magnesium in the Epsom salts promotes faster muscle recovery and reduces lactic acid build-up.

Floating also provides relief from tension headaches. It releases built-up stress in your shoulders, loosening up tight muscles like those in your neck.

Finally, floating has a therapeutic effect on skin. The Epsom salts or magnesium sulphate helps alleviate skin conditions like psoriasis, acne, eczema and skin allergies. Magnesium has antibacterial properties. Contrary to what you may think, the salt doesn’t dry out your skin, it actually makes it feel silky smooth!

Floating takes a bit of getting used to, because floating weightlessly in water and letting yourself completely relax is not something you are used to doing. Maybe your first session wasn’t all that enjoyable? Don’t give up and definitely give floating another try at your next visit. That way, you, too, may discover how special this self-care practice can be!