Five Minute Friday:: Observant

 The other day I entered a small room, Cabin #1,  which held a specifically designed enclosed tank of water with enough Epsom salts added to allow one's body to easily float on the surface. This was my first ever experience of float therapy, and I was intrigued. I had heard about this from a few friends, and now was my time. 

“It would be helpful to do a body scan as you’re beginning your float”, the attendant advised at the conclusion of her orientation. She exited,  quietly closing the 'Cabin 1' door behind her. 

I stepped inside the tank, closed the door, and lay down in the foot deep skin temperature water. In a few minutes the light would go out in this soundproof capsule, and it would be pitch dark and quiet. For ninety minutes.  

 As I adjusted myself to the floating, I wondered whether I was totally relaxed. I thought I was. After all, I do know how to relax.  However, as I scanned my body, I observed that there were muscles which were still tense, especially my neck. It was as if I didn’t trust that the water would hold me if I totally let go.  After all, it was up to me to make this floating thing work, wasn't it?

My head sank a little deeper into the water when I relaxed my neck. The stiffness melted away. I felt so much more at ease. I scanned myself from my toes to my head slowly, so that every part of me was allowing the buoyancy of the water to do the work.

What a marvelous sensation it was. 

It is true that,  especially after a stressful time, the best thing we can do is slow down, be still, and be observant. Let go of whatever we are holding onto so tightly.

This was a good reminder to me to do the work of slowing down. Checking in with myself regularly is important. 

I may need to schedule another float therapy down the road. 

Photo by Kushagra Kevat on Unsplash

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