Disconnect from stress with this amazing epsom salt therapy

If you play sports, are into exercise, or suffer from chronic pain then you know that an epsom salt bath feels like a hug from heaven. Epsom salts (basically magnesium sulphate) are used to soothe muscle aches, reduce bloating, and (in some cases) increase magnesium in people who have a deficiency. Magnesium is a trace mineral that is required for strong bones and a healthy colon, among other things. Some people say that one must soak in an epsom salt bath for 40 minutes because in the first 20 minutes the salts leech out toxins from the body, and in the next 20 minutes your body absorbs magnesium from the water. I love Epsom salts because they feel luxurious. My aches feel soothed and my skin looks clearer after a soak. 

So imagine my excitement when I got to hear about floatation, a therapy where you float on very shallow water that is P.A.C.K.E.D with epsom salts. This therapy is offered at the newly opened Liquid Sanctuary at Meherchand Market in New Delhi. Now bear in mind that I approach most of these therapies with an unhealthy amount of skepticism. In my book they’re bullshit until proven otherwise. So even though I loved the idea of an hour-long epsom salt soak I was still cynical about it despite the claims made by the founders (both of who are actually very lovely). 

I walked into the room (or rather a suite) where I was instructed to shower, put on a pair of earplugs and then dipped into the epsom salt pool. I had been informed that the water was purified and germ free (obviously with such high levels of salt). I was also warned to not splash about or rub my face to prevent the water from getting into (and stinging) my eyes.

The water itself was pleasantly warm and gooey because of the high doses of salt. It was about a foot or two deep. I lay into the pool and looked straight up into a Balinese painting, which looked a tiny bit freakish, but the ambience of the room was quite relaxing. They play some music for 10 minutes then silence for 40 minutes, followed by another 10 music to ‘wake’ you up. Because this was the first time that I tried floatation, I took the first 10 minutes trying to get comfortable in this warm, jelly-like water. Would I sink if I threw my head back? Should I keep gently moving my limbs? 

Slowly I let myself go, stopped moving, cupped my head with my palms underneath, almost like lying down under a tree gazing at the sky - but better, and with my eyes closed. I was in a warm, gooey, comfortable cocoon that felt like my safe place. Thoughts came to my mind but they drifted off like clouds. Without even trying, I was meditating, especially when the silence started. 

Then, in what felt like 20 minutes, the music started again to signal the end of the treatment. I couldn’t have been there for an hour - of this I was confident. I remember asking the PR representative how long it would take before the session started, so I assumed that she may have thought that I wanted to cut it short. Still, I felt relaxed and happy, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I showered again and walked out asking everyone ‘Why did you cut that short? I was enjoying myself!’ They said “We didn’t - you were there for a full hour.” 

Now I’m not a very experienced meditator, I have only been meditating for the last few years. But even in all these years of meditating, my moments of bliss and complete disconnection have only lasted maybe a minute. So this was unbelievable. How can you not know that an hour has gone by? For most people this is what floatation does. Most, because they told me about someone who got a little bit psyched because some unpleasant memories came by. But for most its like a giant meditative pill, in a warm pool, which takes away aches and pains, soothes your mind, and makes your skin look amazing. I’m signing up for a whole month. What about you? 

For more details visit https://www.liquidsanctuary.com.