Of all the well-being trends out there these days, flotation therapy is among the ones I’ve been most curious about (“would Eleven on Stranger Things do it?” is basically my litmus test for things I’m willing to try). The practice has been embraced by everyone from NBA champion Steph Curry to comedian Joe Rogan, and there’s some research to back up the benefits: A 2014 study of 65 participants found that time spent floating correlated to decreased stress and anxiety, improved quality of sleep, and increased levels of optimism. Another study found significant reductions in muscle tension and pain after a one-hour float session.
The benefit I found particularly intriguing is increased awareness, as I’m always looking for ways to spark my next big idea. Curious about what my experience would be like, I headed to Infinity Float — a popular floating spot in Manhattan — to step into the tank for the first time. Here’s what happened.