This morning, I ran 15 miles…and then came out to NJ to go take a nap in a giant pod of salt water.
Several weeks ago, I’d seen “sensory deprivation tank” on my buddy Liz’s Instagram and gotten super curious. WHAT IS THIS NEW TREND?! I pitched it as a story idea at work, and Amanda wrote a HILARIOUS piece on it.
But I still wanted to try it myself. So Liz and I made a date to go to Cloud Aquatic. (NJ people, it’s in Waldwick.) Beyond awesomeness, I wasn’t really sure what to expect.
The owner walked us back and told us the deal: you shower, then you just go FLOAT for 80 minutes. You have the option of closing that top or not, and I initially thought no way in hell would I close it all the way. There’s also two “oh shit” buttons inside: a call button and a light button. I showered, got in, and immediately hopped out because the salt water stung some butt chafing. (<
I got back in and was really ready this time. I laid down and attempted to get comfortable: hands out cactus-style? Behind my head? On my chest? I closed the lid about 95%…and then it fell all the way shut and the light went out. And I panicked immediately and turned the light back on.
I got my bearings, and got familiar with where the light button was, and turned them back off. It took me a little while to get relaxed and shut off my monkey mind, but I just kept trying to meditate and let my thoughts wander. I saw a few little LED lights outside of the pod and focused on them for a it, until I felt myself melting into the water.
I kept waiting for that zen, and finally, it was just like a switch. My mind and body loosened and I succumbed to the moment. Any time my heart rate started raising or I found myself thinking about other things, I just remembered to listen to my breathing and got back to that place.
Before I knew it, my 80 minutes were up. Soft music played to indicate 5 minutes, and then the lights turned on in the pod. I got out and felt the most relaxed I’ve felt in a long time. Think post-yoga times 1,000. I drove home feeling like I was flying!
10/10, would float again.
Would you/have you ever done something like this?
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