We are all of us afloat, but barely; the horizon is close, and high, and made of waves. Every other breath is mixed with water. Let's not drown, you guys; I'll swim to you if you'll swim to me. We are all of us afloat.
life in the deep end; off the deep endhyperboleAugust 16 2011, 14:08:14 UTC
Getting rid of all sensory input allows the ‘constantly-make-sure-you’re-not-dying’ part of your brain to chill out for a second, allowing the creative relaxed part of your brain come out and play. Without the constant pressure of analyzing the world around you, you’re body lowers its levels of cortisol, the main chemical component of stress. Your brain also releases elevated levels of dopamine and endorphins, the neurotransmitters of happiness.
Not having to fight gravity lets your muscles, joints, and bones take a well-deserved break. Your body suddenly has loads of extra resources (usually spent supporting your weight, regulating temperature, and trying not to get speeding tickets), and it gets to focus on things like healing and resting.
Without old-man gravity pushing you down all the time, your spine lengthens an inch, chronic pain is relieved, and your muscles get to fully rest. Unlike lying on a mattress, lying in water allows blood to flow freely all throughout your body. There’s no need to readjust your position to get comfortable.
About 40 minutes into your float your brain stops producing it’s normal Alpha waves and starts churning out Theta waves. These are responsible for that ‘between-waking-and-sleeping’ state, and you make them naturally every night before you conk out. While it only lasts for a few sparse moments in your bed, you can achieve prolonged Theta state in the tank, a state of consciousness that is usually only seen in children and people who have spent years practicing meditation.
Re: I like to float.bloom_withinAugust 22 2011, 03:01:18 UTC
Up, down, up, down. Worked at a wonderful art museum. Just came back from visiting my parents. It's very stressful for them right now because they are discussing nursing home options for my dad. My apartment in Indianapolis was broken into last week - but my boyfriend is safe and nothing was stolen (he punched the guy, and the guy punched the wall). But today we found a new little brick bungalow with room for a garden. There's an ice skating rink and a farmer's market next door. Up, down, up.
Re: I like to float.greyheavenAugust 23 2011, 05:30:23 UTC
Also: you post the best photographs! I like the baby ones. Been spending time with the fellow's niece of late & rediscovering all the best things about tiny children. Yours reliably make me smile.
Re: I like to float.bloom_withinAugust 30 2011, 13:39:58 UTC
Thank you! That means a lot. Here's a video I really like for so many reasons (my brother in his homemade gnome shirt, Johnny Cash, giggling baby, laughing family) if you haven't seen it yet.
Not having to fight gravity lets your muscles, joints, and bones take a well-deserved break. Your body suddenly has loads of extra resources (usually spent supporting your weight, regulating temperature, and trying not to get speeding tickets), and it gets to focus on things like healing and resting.
Without old-man gravity pushing you down all the time, your spine lengthens an inch, chronic pain is relieved, and your muscles get to fully rest. Unlike lying on a mattress, lying in water allows blood to flow freely all throughout your body. There’s no need to readjust your position to get comfortable.
About 40 minutes into your float your brain stops producing it’s normal Alpha waves and starts churning out Theta waves. These are responsible for that ‘between-waking-and-sleeping’ state, and you make them naturally every night before you conk out. While it only lasts for a few sparse moments in your bed, you can achieve prolonged Theta state in the tank, a state of consciousness that is usually only seen in children and people who have spent years practicing meditation.
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How about you?
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Re-assessing the role of the day job in my soon-to-be-unemployed life. Smoking again, but singing more-some balance? Turmoil is good for art, anyway.
Garden your heart out!
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/magdella/6032965017/in/photostream
Hope you're doing well. Big hug.
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