Float Therapy for Stress and Anxiety: The Science of Switching Off

11 June

The world is getting faster, and our nervous systems are paying for it. **81% of Australian workers are battling stress and burnout, and 80% say they never have enough time.**¹ If your mind won't switch off, it isn't a willpower problem — it's a nervous system problem. Float therapy is one of the simplest, most researched ways to give it the break it needs.

What float therapy actually is

At City Cave, floating means lying back in a private, open pool filled with 400kg of pharmaceutical-grade Epsom salts, heated to skin temperature. The salt makes you completely buoyant, so your body lets go of gravity. With light and sound removed, your senses quieten and your nervous system finally has space to settle.

Unlike enclosed pods, our open float pool is the size of a double bed — spacious enough that even first-time floaters can relax without feeling closed in.

How it calms the body and mind

When sensory input drops, the body shifts out of "fight or flight" and into rest. Research into Floatation-REST — led by Dr Justin Feinstein and the Float Research Collective — has shown floating can reduce stress and anxiety and promote a deep sense of calm. The high concentration of magnesium also supports muscle and nerve function, helping tension ease.

Regular floaters commonly report:

Lower stress and a calmer mind
Deeper, more restful sleep
Relief from muscle tension and inflammation
Greater mental clarity and focus

Making it part of your routine

Like anything good for you, the benefits compound with regular practice. A single float is restorative; a regular rhythm is where the lasting change happens. Our Cave Club makes regular floating the most affordable way to keep stress in check.

Floating also pairs beautifully with our other services — try it alongside an infrared sauna or a massage for a deeper reset.