Wellness experience
Float therapy
Floating in a shallow pool or pod of heavily salted, skin-temperature water, usually in darkness and quiet.
Indicative cost
£40.00–£80.00 per session
Where it's done
Wellness centre · Spa
How long
60 minutes
Intensity
Gentle
Downtime
None. Many people feel spacey for an hour.
Typical course
A one-off, or monthly
Total course cost
£40–£80 for a full course
When people notice a change
Immediate; many people report the calm carrying into the next day.
Keeping it up
Monthly
What it's used for
Used with the aim of deep relaxation and a break from sensory input.
How it works
High magnesium salt concentration makes the body float effortlessly, removing most physical effort and much sensory input. The relaxation effect is the documented one.
What a session actually involves
You shower, enter the pod or room, and float for around an hour with the option of light and music on or off. Earplugs are provided. Time passes strangely. You shower again afterwards to rinse off salt.
What people usually consider it for
- Stress and calm
- Sleep quality
- Everyday energy
This reflects what the treatment is commonly used for — not a claim that it will work for you.
Who tends to find it worthwhile
- — People who struggle to switch off
When it may not be suitable
- You have open wounds, an ear infection or a skin infection
- You are claustrophobic and there is no open-room option
- You have epilepsy or low blood pressure, unless cleared
This list is not exhaustive. A qualified practitioner should assess you before any treatment.
Risks and side effects
- Stinging of broken skin
- Ear irritation
- Anxiety in enclosed pods
Things to weigh up
- — Salt stings any cut or freshly shaved skin
- — Not a treatment for a mental health condition
What the evidence looks like
There is reasonable early research on floatation for anxiety and relaxation. Claims about magnesium absorbed through the skin are not well supported.
Questions worth asking first
Tell the centre if you are claustrophobic — most have open rooms as well as pods.
If you'd rather not book
- — A warm magnesium salt bath with the lights off
Products that sit alongside it
- body cleanser
- body moisturiser
What tends to sit alongside it
- Body moisturiser
Others people compare it with
Treatments and devices are listed for information only. Nothing here is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a promise of a result. Suitability depends on your health, skin and the specific device or practitioner — always check with a qualified professional first. We don't take bookings or refer you to providers. Last reviewed 2026-09-09.