We’ve all been told (or at least have heard) to take an Epsom salt bath to help achy muscles. I’ve done it. Maybe you’ve done it. You know it works, but WHY does it work? I never asked that question until I went to a float spa last week. Oh my goodness! Yah, it’s THAT good! Let me tell you about my experience first and then I’ll tell you why it’s so great for you.
I’ve heard about “floating” and wanted to try it out. I have a lot of achy muscles and joints so I figured this might help loosen me up and feel less pain. I decided to try floating. Besides the decor being totally spalicious and relaxing, this location was sanitary! That’s a big issue for me if I’m going to be laying in a public bath of 94-degree water with Epsom salt in it! So, you get naked, you shower, and then you step into total blackness. I opted to have the blue light on so I wouldn’t be totally freaked out with my first experience, but you can turn the light off if you’d like. I step into this totally slippery black room and I honestly can’t tell where the water is. Yes, it’s dark in there, but the temp of the water is the same as your skin so everything blends and there is no transition. I carefully laid down and wouldn’t you know it – I floated! The tub is quite big (relative to my shortness) so no body parts touched. I started off using the neck floaty in case I couldn’t totally relax at first. That was a good idea because I couldn’t relax my neck at first. My legs were like tree trunks and didn’t move one inch! After a few minutes my neck started doing this snake like thing and after the 3rd time, I took the floaty off – maybe it was a sign? I opted for the ear plugs so when I took the neck floaty off I didn’t get any water in my ears. There I was floating like I was light as a feather! Totally amazing! One hour felt like it took way longer! I thought the lady forgot about me actually, but she was right on time with the soothing, low music to let me know my time was up. Every part of me relaxed except my neck – that took a little conscious thinking to let it go. At times my head felt like a bowling ball and other times it felt like a fishing bobber. Go figure!
My mind didn’t turn off like I thought it would, but instead my thoughts were clear and creative. I made a few new workouts within that hour, wrote this email in my head, and started planning for 2018. I thought I “failed” at relaxing, but when I read their pamphlet . . . it was totally OK for me to experience mental clarity and to “think” while in there. This was a great experience for me! I bought the newcomer 3-pack and have already scheduled my next appointment! This time, my neck WILL relax because I know what to expect.
So what’s the big deal with floating and the Epsom salt? Epsom salts are originally from a natural spring in England (that’s where the name Epsom comes from). When put into water, the salt breaks down into magnesium and sulfate, which enter your body through your skin. Magnesium plays an important role in many bodily functions, including the release of specific enzymes and the contraction of muscles. Sulfate plays a role in forming joint proteins, which eases joint pain. These two collectively help to relieve:
- Arthritis pain and swelling
- Bruises and sprains
- Fibromyalgia symptoms
- Ingrown toenails
- Insomnia
- Psoriasis
- Sore muscles after working out
- Sunburn pain and redness
- Tired, swollen feet
When you float in the 10-inches of 94-degree Epsom salt water, you can now see why you feel good afterwards! According to the pamphlet at the float spa, people float to relieve stress, recover from injuries, flight addiction, eliminate chronic pain, and boost mood. On many levels (emotional, physical, spiritual), floating in Epsom salt is an incredible experience.