Sleep, Not Always So Simple…

Sleep, Not Always So Simple…

SPA OVARIUM

Sleep, Not Always So Simple…

by Art Of The Float

Sleep, Not Always So Simple…


Translation by Laurie-Anna Babin

Sometimes, getting seven to eight hours of sleep feels impossible. We know sleep is essential. It affects both physical and mental health.

Yet, even after a long and tiring day, we may end up tossing and turning instead of resting. The next morning, we look forward to bedtime with hope… only to stare at the ceiling again.

Although sleep hygiene tips can help, they don’t always solve the problem. So, what else can we do? Float therapy may help you reach the deep relaxation your body needs to sleep well.

floating-bath-man-home

Could floating help you sleep better?

Research suggests that it can. A fascinating Swedish study from 2010 looked at how flotation-REST therapy (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) helps people experiencing burnout. The researchers — Anette Anette Kjellgren, Hanne Buhrkall and Torsten Norlander — found significant benefits for sleep.

In the study, four women and two men took part in a ten-week program. It combined psychotherapy with 45-minute float sessions twice a week. As a result:

“Clients reported that their sleep improved during the treatment period, especially on the nights following their flotation-REST sessions.”[1]

In other words, floating may benefit anyone:
• People who feel overwhelmed at work
• Athletes recovering from intense training
• Anyone who simply wants deeper, better sleep

Benefits that continue over time

The benefits were strongest on float days. However, participants also slept better on the days they did not float. That is encouraging, especially if you cannot float twice a week.

Not only did sleep quality improve, but relaxation became easier at bedtime:

“Clients noticed a state of effortless relaxation at bedtime, along with the deliberate or unconscious ability to increase their state of relaxation by
regulating their breathing and recreating the resting body position experienced inside the sensory deprivation tank.”[2]

This suggests that long-term use of flotation therapy can help us maintain that incredible sense of relaxation far beyond the session itself and experience benefits in many areas of our lives. Regarding the extreme fatigue caused by a poor night’s sleep, participants said they felt “more rested and more energetic upon waking.”[3]


Your Ticket to Deep, Peaceful Sleep

Overall, the study showed that flotation therapy can:

✅ Help you fall asleep faster
✅ Improve sleep quality
✅ Boost energy the next day
✅ Reduce the stress that keeps you awake

Therefore, if you have tried everything and still struggle with sleep, you are not alone. Even if you sleep well but want to experience “effortless relaxation”[4], floating may become your new favourite ritual.

Try Floating at Spa Ovarium

Experience the power of deep relaxation in our sensory deprivation tanks.
Let your mind and body unwind — and rediscover what it feels like to wake up refreshed.

→ Learn more about floatation therapy

 

References

[1], 2, 3, 4 Kjellgren, A., Buhrkall, H., & Norlander, T. (2010). Psychotherapeutic Treatment in Combination with Relaxation in a Flotation Tank: Effects on “Burn-Out Syndrome. Qualitative Report, 15(5), 1243–1269.

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Floating Bath & Massage: Why Combine Them?

Floating Bath & Massage: Why Combine Them?

SPA OVARIUM

Float Tank & Massage

Why Combine Them?

Floatation Bath and Massage: Why Combine Them?

Looking to amplify the benefits of deep relaxation?
At Spa Ovarium, we believe in combining complementary treatments. Pairing a floatation bath with a massage session can turn your wellness moment into a deeply restorative, holistic experience. Here’s why this combination makes all the difference.

What is a Floatation Bath?

A floatation bath involves relaxing in a tank filled with Epsom salt-saturated water, kept at body temperature. In a state of sensory isolation—free from light and sound—the body floats effortlessly, helping to reduce muscular tension and calm the nervous system.

Why Add a Massage to Your Floatation Bath Session?

Massage therapy enhances circulation, reduces pain, accelerates recovery, and helps release deep-seated tension. It works in perfect synergy with the relaxing effects of the floatation bath. Which Comes First—Massage or Floatation?

Massage before or after the float?
Some prefer starting with a massage, others with the floatation bath. Each order has its own benefits. The key? Try both and see what suits your relaxation or recovery goals best.

bain-flottant-

Combined Benefits for Body and Mind

Together, floatation and massage activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and support muscle recovery.

Recommendations Based on Your Wellness Goals

Goal Recommended Order
Deep mental relaxation Massage → Floatation
Relief from muscle tension Floatation → Massage
Complete rest and revitalization Try both and see what works best

What the Experts Say

Specialized wellness centers like Utah Therapeutic Massage report that this combination enhances the effectiveness of each treatment and leads to deeper relaxation and recovery.

Key Takeaways

  • Combining floatation bath and massage therapy amplifies their relaxing effects.
  • The ideal order depends on your needs and preferences.
  • Spa Ovarium offers tailored wellness experiences—why not explore both options?

👉 Book your relaxation session here or contact us for more information.

Experience a therapeutic massage in Montreal tailored to relieve tension, restore mobility, and support long-term wellbeing.

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Floatation Bath: A Journey Within

Floatation Bath: A Journey Within

SPA OVARIUM

Floatation Bath: A Journey Within

Floatation Tank

Floatation Bath: A Journey Within

A floatation bath, also known as a sensory deprivation tank, allows you to float effortlessly, creating a feeling of weightlessness that promotes deep relaxation. Your muscles unwind, your joints decompress, and your organs regain their natural space.

Originally designed to create an environment free from external stimuli, floatation therapy provides a much-needed break from the constant bombardment of sensory input. This process helps the nervous system regenerate, reducing both stress and anxiety.

A floatation bath is also an invitation to an inner journey—whether psychological or spiritual—depending on your perspective. Introspection is essential to aligning our life choices with our deepest values. Taking the time to pause, float, and focus on this inner journey is the very essence of the floatation experience.

Exploring Your Inner World

Engaging in floatation therapy is a deeply personal experience. Some use the tranquil setting to meditate under ideal conditions, while others enter the floatation tank with a question in mind, let it go during the session, and later find an answer emerging while sipping herbal tea after floating. For many, it is the perfect opportunity to truly let go—emerging from the tank feeling lighter, freer. If you find yourself torn between logic and intuition, a floatation bath can help your consciousness expand, guiding you toward the right choices. Each person experiences floating in their own way.

The Science-Backed Benefits of Floating

Beyond its introspective and meditative qualities, floatation therapy offers numerous physical and psychosomatic benefits. Scientific studies have shown that regular float sessions can significantly reduce anxiety and chronic pain.

For example, research conducted at the Human Performance Laboratory of Karlstad University found that floatation therapy alleviates chronic pain related to stress. Among participants suffering from anxiety, depression, or fibromyalgia, more than three-quarters reported significant health improvements.

Additionally, floatation therapy has been shown to improve sleep quality, reduce fatigue, and enhance overall well-being. The sensation of weightlessness in a warm, silent sensory deprivation tank activates the body’s natural healing and regenerative systems. (Source)

The Origins of Floatation Therapy

The invention of the sensory deprivation tank is credited to Dr. John C. Lilly, an American physician and neuroscientist. In the 1950s, he developed this tool to study human consciousness by isolating the mind from external stimuli. His research paved the way for new approaches in neuroscience and psychology, ultimately contributing to the modern-day popularity of floatation therapy

For those interested in exploring the subject further, several books discuss the benefits of floating and sensory deprivation tanks. The Book of Floating by Michael Hutchison delves into the therapeutic effects of floating, while Programming and Metaprogramming in the Human Biocomputer by John C. Lilly offers insights into consciousness experiences in sensory isolation.

At our Floating Spa Ovarium in Montreal, we believe that everyone can discover their own reasons for floating. We invite you to share your experiences on our Facebook page and inspire others to explore the many benefits of floatation therapy.

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Lower Your Cortisol Levels

Lower Your Cortisol Levels

SPA OVARIUM

Lower Your Cortisol Levels

Lower Your Cortisol Levels!

A few years ago, the Float Conference took place in Denver, Colorado.

Researchers, entrepreneurs, and consciousness explorers who believe in the benefits of floating tanks gathered to share knowledge, experiences, and research findings. We were there, and we came back inspired—more convinced than ever of the importance of spreading awareness about float tanks.

Here, we share two of our favorite insights.

A Health Break

Among the various testimonials and speakers, we were particularly moved by Jerry Walker’s presentation. As a clinical psychologist working with elite U.S. Air Force operators, he helps them manage stress and cope with post-traumatic shocks that affect every aspect of their lives.

He chose the float tank as a tool to support these individuals, and the results were remarkable. Here are some key findings:

  • The 91 men and women he studied reported, on average, a 60% reduction in stress after just one float, with effects lasting several days.
  • They also experienced a 66% reduction in chronic pain after floating.
  • Many noticed improvements in both the quality and duration of their sleep.
  • The more frequently they used floating tanks, the greater the benefits they felt—and the less they relied on self-medication (such as alcohol).

Walker attributes these results to the sensory break that the float tank provides. This pause allows the nervous system to shift into relaxation and regeneration mode.

An Essential Moment of Peace

Glenn Perry, the creator of the first commercial float tank, was one of the speakers. He raised an important point that deeply resonated with us.

To navigate the challenges humanity faces today, it is essential to take moments of reflection and reconnect with our deeper resources, rather than operating in reactive mode. The floating tank provides the peace necessary to foster this connection and self-awareness—something that can truly make a difference.

The presentations by Glenn Perry and Jerry Walker reinforced our belief in the significant role that floating tanks at Ovarium have played in people’s lives for the past 37 years!

A Contagious Enthusiasm

We wish we could share the excitement of the event organizers and participants, who were inspired by the research findings and powerful testimonials of those whose lives have been transformed by floating tanks.

We returned from this conference more inspired and convinced than ever about the importance of floating!

Discover Our Monthly Memberships!

They allow you to float regularly at an affordable price. Interested? Click here!

Follow us on Facebook, where we share numerous videos about float tanks!

Looking for floatation therapy near you? Spa Ovarium offers one of Montréal’s most recognized float experiences, designed to promote deep rest and mental clarity.

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Countering Seasonal Depression

Countering Seasonal Depression

SPA OVARIUM

Countering Seasonal Depression

Seasonal Depression, A Condition That Can Be Treated

SEASONAL DEPRESSION, A CONDITION THAT CAN BE TREATED
Anna recently shared with us what led her to our spa and massage.

November 2024, Anna experiences a significant drop in energy for the first time. Without any apparent reason, she constantly feels tired, gets irritated easily, and gradually loses her usual good mood. “I didn’t recognize myself anymore,” she confesses. She then learns that she is suffering from seasonal depression, just like 20% of the Canadian population. A first for her! However, she doesn’t just sit back; she takes an interest in this type of depression, also known as the winter blues.

LIGHT THERAPY TO COUNTER SEASONAL DEPRESSION
Her research leads her to discover light therapy and its direct benefits on the symptoms of seasonal depression. The PSiO, a light therapy and relaxation device available at Spa Ovarium, catches her attention. Why? “I was drawn to the combined effects of positive suggestions, light, and mental relaxation,” she mentions. Visiting the spa reassures her. “It was a unique experience, and I felt like I was becoming myself again!”

REDUCING STRESS: A SOLUTION FOR BALANCE
Fortunately, Anna doesn’t wait until she hits rock bottom to seek solutions for her well-being. She takes advantage of this uncomfortable period to reassess her lifestyle habits. “I set myself a goal that year: to reduce my stress level,” she tells us. She commits to adopting sustainable changes by exploring natural methods, particularly those that promote well-being beyond a single session.

THE EXPERIENCE OF DEEP RELAXATION
Naturally curious and on the recommendation of a friend, she contacts us again that same year to experience floating therapy. Our team welcomes her and explains in detail what she is about to experience. The floating pod intrigues her, and she takes the plunge. “I never expected to lose my sense of time and space to that extent, right in the heart of Montreal!” she shares enthusiastically. “Floating weightlessly is an exceptional experience!” By eliminating all external stimuli (light, noise, temperature fluctuations, weight), she achieves an extraordinary level of deep relaxation. “And that’s an understatement,” she adds. “Plus, the effect lasted four days!” This experience reveals to her that she is constantly stimulated by her environment and had never allowed her brain to fully rest.

 

 

THE SPA EXPERIENCE WITH MASSAGE
Determined to stick to her commitment to lasting well-being, she opts for a six-session floating therapy package “to start.” Knowing that she sometimes struggles to keep her resolutions, she wants to ensure she feels a real change. Not only does she follow through, but she also discovers an even more powerful combination for relaxation: spa with massage. “I knew it was good for me, and after the second session, I added a therapeutic massage to see if I could reach an even deeper level of relaxation.”

After discussing with Sara, a dedicated massage therapist, Anna chooses to combine her floating therapy with a therapeutic massage—enveloping, gentle, and deep—to release her tensions. “And that was total surrender,” she recounts. “A complete letting go that allowed me to truly and deeply recentre myself.” She describes restorative sleep, amplified energy, greater openness to others… and the return of her contagious good mood! Enthusiastic, Anna then explores different therapeutic massage techniques, adapting each session to her current state.

A COMMITMENT TO ONESELF
The result? These discoveries allow her to uphold her commitment by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, maintaining a rich social life, and keeping her stress levels minimal. Bravo, Anna!

Like Anna, you too can choose your own anti-stress formula and give yourself the gift of health.

Written by: Christine from MExpérience

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