For most people headed into flotation therapy (formerly known as sensory deprivation) the experience promises to be one of relaxation and stress relief.
That is unless your friend has challenged you (and your claustrophobic tendencies) to go into the experience full tilt.
So, in part two of what has become affectionately known as the “Comfort Zone Challenge” I was to re-enter the pod and keep the lid shut and the lights off for the duration of the session.
The previous flotation session I had modified to keep some of my senses active. For example, the lid was open and the lights were dimmed but on. I could close my eyes but with the lights on the sense of sight was still engaged.
The most jarring part of the first experience was when I removed the sense of touch. Upon letting my hands leave the sides of the pod I immediately had a “state change.” I can only describe it as instantly feeling like a floating head. There was absolutely no sensation of having a body. I did NOT find this relaxing. Turns out I may be in a subset of folks who drift into hallucination rather easily. So you can be assured that the rest of the session I kept my hands firmly placed on the walls of the pod to avert “the floating head” syndrome.
Upon debriefing my experience with Hazel, co-creator of the Comfort Zone Challenge, you may recall that she saw an opportunity for me to widen my comfort zone. And my new challenge was born... re-enter the POD lights off, lid closed.
And so I did.
It was perhaps one of the most uncomfortable experiences of my 48 years. Mission accomplished!
I received some well meaning and somewhat useful coaching from the flotation center’s owner. One point was that by turning out the lights you can actually hack the sense of claustrophobia because without sight you really can’t perceive how tight a space it is. So I got into the pod as quickly as possible and shut off the lights and pulled the lid down. What ensued was ... how shall I put this ... terror. It was an intense minute or so of bone shaking fear. And, I was prepared for it. My plan was to visualize the pod from the outside ... seeing it from the outside perspective ... reminding me where I was despite being inside. I spent a few minutes with my preparatory visualizations and the fear, thankfully, subsided. My chattering slowed as did my heartbeat. I was in. I passed the first hurdle.
I retained my sense of touch (arms outstretched, touching the sides) and my sense of hearing (groovy meditation music playing) and remained in the pod for roughly 45-50 minutes. The actual session was 60 minutes so I didn’t make it the whole way but was proud of my performance for the time that I was in there.
I did turn off the sound for a bit to deepen the sensory deprivation experience (by this time I was feeling more confident) and stayed that way for a bit and then put the music back on.
One useful technique I used to take my attention off the fear was to ask myself, “What am I enjoying about this experience?” I noticed that my legs were feeling quite light and relaxed and I could say that I enjoyed that feeling. By breaking the experience down and prompting myself to look for what I WAS enjoying I could somewhat override the negative sensations.
Post-pod reflections.
Why the heck did I do that!!!?? No, just kidding. I did it to expand the boundaries of my comfort zone. To give my body and mind a chance to assimilate new and uncomfortable experiences so that I could grow my confidence and how I relate to myself. You see, it turns out the pod was just a vehicle to practice expansion. And I did it safely, with a friend.
Additional observation to consider: I may be a bit of a control freak ... aka ... not willing to fully turn myself over to an experience. This is some new ground for me to explore as I don’t normally think of myself as needing control. Hmmm. There is always something to learn about oneself. Being a know it all is far too comfortable!
How will you expand your comfort zone?
Would love to hear about it.
Might it be the pod???
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