“The Solution Chamber”
Why Early Morning Floats?
To become more productive and get creative solutions.
One of our clients came out of a float and immediately said to me, “I have a new name for the float tank . . . Solution Chamber!” He proceeded to tell me how he came up with some great solutions to issues he had been dealing with for a long time while floating.
The following information will help to explain why you would want to float to solve problems and get answers to issues you may have; get creative inspiration, or even organize your week to be more productive. Science continues to show us that there are many benefits to floating. One important benefit that people experience all the time is accessing the part of the brain that is responsible for problem solving and creativity.
Why is the Float Tank so effective with Right Brain Function, Creativity and Problem Solving (Eureka moments)? Excerpt from “The Book of Floating” by Michael Hutchison
Right and Left Brain Function
Left Brain seems to think analytically, sequentially, logically and with an orientation in time.
Right Brain processes information in a mostly simultaneous, intuitive, nonlinear, timeless, imagistic manner. It can be the seat of those flashes of insights that have been called the “Eureka” event.
Research into the brain waves of floaters indicates that floating increases right-brain function. Thomas Budzynski, who was engaged in EEG measurement of the brain hemispheres under varying conditions, made it clear that, “In a float condition, left-hemisphere faculties are somewhat suspended and the right hemisphere ascends in dominance.” The tank does not block or inhibit the left hemisphere, but simply changes its role from one of dominance to one of partnership with the right hemisphere, enabling floaters to use all their mental powers.
Research has also indicated synchronization of brain waves–hemispheric harmony–is one explanation for the great increase of productivity, performance and efficiency, and the generalized feelings of competence, confidence and wholeness experienced by floaters.
All evidence now available suggests there is no more reliable and efficient way for a human to gain access to the content of the right hemisphere than by entering a float tank for an hour or so.
Accessing Theta Brain Waves in the Tank
Existing and recent float research has demonstrated that individuals do produce theta waves in the float tank – without 20 years of meditation experience. Why is that? Science has yet to answer the exact mechanisms for why floating helps us reach this state so easily, but it’s easy to see how a quiet, distraction-free, gravity-free environment can help our brains reach a profoundly deep state of relaxation. You may have heard floating referred to as “training wheels for meditation”
What are the benefits and why does it matter?
So what’s so good about theta? Well, the theta state has been found to be associated with feelings of well being, creativity, improved relationships, social adeptness, decreased stress and other negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, etc. This in turn helps decrease your chances of stress-related illnesses such as heart disease and stroke, and mental problems such as depression and anxiety disorders.
Why? It’s because the theta state allows for the production of positive neurotransmitters, such as endorphins (our feel-good chemical), and reduce the production of stress-related neurotransmitters, such as adrenaline and cortisol.
Being in “theta” doesn’t just feel good; science has revealed strong links between theta waves and how we learn and form memories, especially personal memories. This may explain the links found between float therapy and learning (super learning), or why many individuals report reliving childhood memories in vivid detail.
Some post-float thoughts from our clients . . .
“I discovered the exact right answer to an important issue I have been dealing with for months“
“I just came up with the beginnings of 4 new musical compositions in the tank” – musical composer
“I find that I can not only come up with great ideas but it really helps me to organize my thought process so I am more productive in the week ahead!” |
