Alongside that other frequently asked question, this old chestnut is something we often hear from newbie-floaters. The short answer is yes – falling asleep in a float tank does happen, although it’s much less likely than you think. And even if you do nod off, the chances are your brain is in a state of hypnagogia – that is, the state between clear-headed wakefulness and slumber. It’s a lucid state of consciousness – and it can be difficult to distinguish whether you’re awake or dreaming.
For many meditators, creatives and people looking to explore their own consciousness, this state is almost the Holy Grail. We’ve spoken about how floating causes your brain to operate at a lower frequency – producing theta waves – and this in turn creates a heightened sense of presentness, creativity, and even problem-solving. This state is often referred to as the threshold of consciousness, because well, that’s exactly what it is – that boundary between the conscious and the unconscious. So the short answer is yes – you can fall asleep in a float tank, although you may be mistaking nodding off for reaching a deep, meditative state!
Still, it’s common to have questions. Especially if you’re new to floating. We’re sometimes asked if sleeping through a session is a waste of your float. Firstly, we’d hesitate to call any float a waste – even half an hour in the tank can help ease muscle tensions and mental anxieties. In fact, floating provides so many physical benefits that require no conscious input whatsoever, so nap away!
Due to the buoyancy effect of the salt water, all the muscles in your body are allowed to relax into their natural state, relieving tension and muscle tightness. It’s an experience you’d be hard-pushed to recreate in another situation on planet earth, and it’s the closest your muscles will experience to zero gravity.
Meanwhile, your skin is absorbing all the goodness of the magnesium sulphate in the water, which is essential for over 300 chemical reactions in the body. That includes everything from dissipating lactic acid, to regulating your heartbeat, to keeping your bones, hair and nails nice and strong. This all happens whether you’re awake in the tank or not, so we’d hardly call a sleepy float a total waste!
Along with this, new floaters will sometimes worry about the safety of falling asleep in the tank. For starters, each tank is only filled with about a foot of water – similar to your bath tub. And because there’s 1,200 pounds of Epsom Salts dissolved in every tank, you’re as buoyant as a tourist on the Dead Sea. Nevertheless, our tanks are built with safety in mind. So if you’re ever worried in the tank, just sit up and give the door a little nudge. It’s all very modern and techie, so it opens with a gentle push – and you’ll be out of the tank in a flash.
So we’ve established that sleeping in a float tank is possible, safe, and even encouraged. But what happens if you take it all one step further? With an hour’s floating offering up similar physical and mental benefits to a six-hour sleep in a bed, the logical next step is for us all to replace our beds with tanks, surely?
This is an absolutley amazing find in Hanoi. I always tell people that floating is the perfect practice if your looking to improve your health, inner peace, and general wellbeing - and that is certainly the case at 'float Hanoi' as well! I have been floating regularly for a few years in the US, and I can say that the tanks and facilities here are truly top of the line. Also Minh, one of the owners, was incredibly welcoming and helpful - he even took me to find an ATM machine after my float so i could pay him! Then followed by showing me a gas station so I could fill up my motorbike (Ive only been here two days). 🙂 Float Hanoi exemplifies what selfless service is all about - I feel at home in Hanoi already just from my first experience here (Of course im also relaxed and rejuvinated from the float itself). I bought a package of 5 "one hour" floats, and when those are up, I will be buying a package of 5 "ninety minute" floats. All that said, just do yourself a big favor and give this place a real shot! You wont be at all dossapointed. ????
I recieved a voucher for my birthday and was sceptical about the new experience. I was really impressed with the friendly gentleman who explian the process very well to me in English and make me feel at ease and relaxed. The actual float experience blew me away. I havent been so relaxed after my session and continued the zen feeling well throughout the day. I highly recommend making an appointment and experiencing this wonderful sensory deprivation technique. They also sell CBD oils which ca be used to relax your mind and body. 5 stars is a no brainer.
We tried the couple float room. Each person has her or his own floatation pod. The staff, Duc, is responsible and details the steps and common doubts that we have. It’s relaxing and an interesting experience. It’s like being in a world of your own. Recommended for getting back your inner peace and calm 🙂 TIPS on getting there: make sure you enter the 51 alley.
The last time I floated was back in Bangkok in 2019. My husband and I were regulars at the facility there. The Hanoi float center feels much more “homemade” than the one in Bangkok. Not saying that neither is better than the other; the setting feels very different, which is something to keep in mind. Otherwise, the tanks work the same - the only difference would be that you have the option to pry the tank’s cover open slightly with the ones in BKK but here, it’s either fully close or open, which can be uncomfortable for first-time floaters. Also, if you haven’t meditated for a long time, it can be pretty challenging during the first few sessions as your mind WILL keep wandering. We did the couple floating session for 60 minutes, and we didn’t regret giving it a try. It was nice, dark, and quiet (something you don’t get much from living in Hanoi). The staff understands and speaks English very well. The online reservation was hassle free, and the team will contact you a day before by phone to reconfirm. Note that they are not really responsive on Facebook messenger, so it’s better to call. It’s a straight forward experience, you go in, pay, rinse a bit, float, get out, rinse again, dress up and leave. Nothing to complain about and would personally return.
I had incredible good session although the staff wasn't very welcoming. I had a feeling that the guy was a bit shy but he introduced me to the whole ceremony. Place is good and quite outside of the whole chaos. Prices are reasonable and youve got everything you need.
While all-night floats can have incredible benefits, it’s not a viable replacement for natural sleep. Regular floaters will often find themselves energised after a float, and need a few hours to allow their body to wind down before hitting the hay. This does, however, promote much more regular sleeping patterns, as anyone who’s floated will tell you!
Floating and sleeping, then, are certainly intertwined. One can help the other, and it’s the similar states of low-frequency consciousness that allows your body to repair and rebuild whether floating or napping.
But if you take our word on one thing, it’s this: if you fall asleep during a float, you’re perfectly safe, and still reaping the benefits of the unique environment.
Sources : https://floatworks.com/blog/what-happens-if-i-fall-asleep-in-the-float-tank-2017-10-25