With finals coming up, traditional relaxation techniques might include taking a nap, going on a run or attending a yoga class. However, a more unconventional but arguably better relaxation option to partake in is floating.

Floatation Therapy, also known as Sensory Deprivation, is when you float in a “float room” in about 10 inches of water that has been saturated with about 1,000 pounds of Epsom Salt that is heated to a human body’s temperature. The “floater” gets to experience an extremely relaxed environment where they essentially experience nothing at all. With the light and sound taken out of the room, you feel like you are floating in space rather than in a pool.

Easy Float, located near DU’s campus (only a six minute drive away) on 1855 S. Pearl Street, offers this unique experience. With free parking on the weekends located in the back of the building, Easy Float is something every stressed out college student should partake in. Not only is the sensory deprivation itself extremely relaxing, the establishment also gives off a very calm vibe. With soothing nature photos decorating the walls and tea and water offered before your session, it’s a great waiting space to put you in the mood to float. 

Not having any previous floating experience is totally okay. Everything you need to know is explained very thoroughly before you start out, from how to best keep the water from getting in your ears, to how to have the best experience you can while floating. 

From my floating experience, I discovered that the best way to be totally relaxed is just by concentrating on breathing rather than letting my mind run, which, as a college student, I know is hard to do. After I got relaxed, though, I would definitely recommend floating to everyone, even if they just wanted to experience it once. However, Bryan, my floating guide (and a surprising Justin Trudeau look-alike), encourages more than a one-time floating experience because, “people commonly have a 90 percent better experience floating their second time compared to their first time.” Not only did it help me relax before finals, but it also helped the migraine I had been having all day.

Relaxation and headache help are not the only benefits of floating, though. Floating helps increase blood circulation, improves healing abilities, provides faster recovery times for athletes, reduces fatigue and the Epsom Salt helps make your skin feel smooth and replenished. Floating has gratifying mental-health benefits, as well. It helps reduce stress, improves psychological well-being and also improves sleep. There have also been discoveries of connections between floating regularly and learning. According to a book called “Stealing Fire” by Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal, Navy Seals are using sensory deprivation to cut the time it takes for them to learn another language. I won’t lie though, not being able to feel or hear anything for a full 90 minutes is really weird at first, especially when after about an hour the only thing you can hear your internal organs working. 

Floating for a one-time 90-minute float at Easy Float is $59 dollars, for a 90-minute session once a month it’s $45 and for two-a-month 90-minute float package it is $69. Though it’s on the pricey side, it’s worth trying out the experience. Giving an Easy Float gift card would also be a fun and unique gift for a friend or family member.

All in all, I would give my experience at Easy Float a 9.8 out of 10. It didn’t get a full 10 out of 10 based only on how much the salt hurts when it gets in your eyes and cuts, which they thoroughly warn you about before you start. Though it’s a little weird to start out with, it’s definitely something I encourage everyone to try. If you’re up to give it a try, they are open everyday except Monday from 9a.m.-9p.m.

For more information visit easyfloat.com.