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Rediscovering Your Senses: The Post-Float Sensory Awakening

Have you ever noticed how extraordinary ordinary things feel after a float therapy session? That first sip of tea tastes richer, colors seem more vibrant, and even the texture of your clothes feels different against your skin. This isn't just your imagination—it's a documented phenomenon known as enhanced sensory perception.


The Science Behind the Sensation

Research by Borrie (2017) in Neuroscience Letters reveals that flotation REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy aka Float Therapy) significantly heightens our sensory awareness in the hours following a session. When we float in a sensory-reduced environment, our nervous system essentially hits a reset button. By temporarily removing external stimuli—light, sound, gravity, and temperature variations—our sensory receptors become more sensitive and responsive once we re-enter the everyday world.


Think of it like this: when you're in a quiet room and someone whispers, you can hear them clearly. But if you've just left a loud concert, that same whisper would be imperceptible. Float therapy works similarly, allowing your sensory system to recalibrate to a quieter baseline.


Making the Most of Your Post-Float Glow

The enhanced sensory window typically lasts several hours after your float, making it the perfect time to indulge in simple pleasures with fresh appreciation.

  • Savor your favorite foods. That post-float meal becomes an opportunity to taste ingredients you might normally overlook. The subtle sweetness of fresh strawberries, the complex layers in a good piece of chocolate, or the aromatic spices in your favorite curry all become more pronounced. Many float centers are located near cafes and restaurants for this very reason—floaters often report that food tastes remarkably better afterward.

  • Immerse yourself in music. Whether it's your favorite album or a live performance, music takes on new dimensions after floating. You might notice instrumental layers you've never heard before, or feel emotional responses to songs in ways that surprise you. Some people describe it as hearing their favorite music "for the first time again."

  • Engage with aromatherapy. Your sense of smell becomes more acute, making it an ideal time to enjoy essential oils, fresh flowers, or even just the natural scent of the outdoors. A walk through a garden or forest after floating can be a profoundly grounding experience.

  • Observe visual beauty. Colors appear more saturated and details sharper. Visit an art gallery, watch a sunset, or simply notice the play of light and shadow around you. Photographers and artists sometimes schedule floats before creative work to tap into this enhanced visual perception.

Creating Your Post-Float Ritual

Consider planning something special for after your float session. Whether it's a quiet tea ceremony, a nature walk, or simply sitting with a beloved pet, these moments of mindful appreciation can deepen your float therapy benefits and create a ritual you'll look forward to.


The post-float sensory enhancement reminds us that wonder isn't always about seeking new experiences—sometimes it's about experiencing the familiar with renewed awareness. In our overstimulated world, float therapy offers a rare gift: the chance to truly feel alive to the sensory richness that surrounds us every day.


Reference: Borrie, R. A. (2017). Enhanced Sensory Perception Following Flotation REST. Neuroscience Letters, 645, 120-125.

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