Alternative Cures For Your Psyche - Sensory Deprivation Methods
by Mandy Robinson
Short periods of depriving your senses can be relaxing. Sensory deprivation can
be achieved by using such simple devises such as blindfolds and earmuffs.
Devices that are more complex can cut the sense of smell, touch taste, sense of
heat or cold and gravity. Sensory deprivation methods have been used in
psychology experiments and for torture. Extensive deprivation from sensory
experiences can result in hallucinations, depression,extreme anxiety, and
strange thought processes.
1. Five Methods Of Sensory Deprivation
- Confined to a room with loud and/or hissing noises. - Deprivation of sleep. -
Putting a hood over the head to keep out any sight or sense of light - Standing
for long periods in a stressful position. - Deprivation of food and drink.
2. Float Tanks
One form of sensory deprivation to increase relaxation is called a float tank.
This float tank is kept at skin temperature, and you are kept buoyant in a pool
of water that is 25% saturated with Epsom salts. This makes the water denser and
more buoyant than seawater. The float tank shuts out 90% of the environmental
stimulation that affects the muscles, nervous system and sense organs of the
body. Without the external stimulants, your body can relax and feel you body go
to a deeply relaxed state.
Your ears are under water so sound is blocked out. Some float tanks have gentle
music that is piped in to heighten the relaxation process. It makes you feel
like you are floating on a sea of music. While relaxing in warm water, listening
to gentle music your mind can focus on other thoughts and not just on your body
that results in a state of relaxation more restful than sleep.
3. Stress Mechanics
Stress related chemicals such as adrenaline, cortical, and lactate are removed
from the blood stream and replaced by the endorphins. These endorphins are
natures own body drug that makes people happy. This increases feelings of
well-being, relieves chronic pain and fatigue, and improves higher brain
function such as memory and learning. Best of all, no special training is
required, just lie back, and let your mind and body go.
4. Theta State
While your body is in a state of total relaxation, your brain remains awake. It
doesnt have to work on processing signals from you nervous system and sense
organs so it can go into a slow dreamy state known as theta state. While your
brain is in this mode, your creative and inspirational thought processes are
enhanced. You find your self in this theta state the whole time you are in the
float tank. You can not reach the theta state unless you are sleeping, but in
the float tank it is easily acquired.
5. Stress Reliever
Those of us who have demanding life styles can benefit from the float tank as it
immediately can reduce blood pressure and heart rate. Other tension related
maladies such as migraines, insomnia and back pain are also helped. The mental
and physical effects of being buoyant in the water improve your sense of
well-being and your powers of self control. Unwanted habits and negative
emotions seem to melt away with the tensions and stresses that accompany them.
6. Use In Sports
Athletes float to enhance performance and stamina. Carl Lewis prepared for the
Seoul Olympics in 1988 and won the gold medal. The Dallas cowboys are said to
have been using float tanks since 1981 to help the physical and psychological
skills of the team. The Australian Institute of Sports began using float tanks
in 1983. They find that floating can maximize the benefits of fitness training.
The deep relaxation of the float tank speeds up the growth and regeneration of
muscle tissue. Floating has also been found to speed recovery from injuries and
the endorphins that are released help reduce the pain.
7. Use In Medicine
Clinically, studies show that there are no negative side effects to using a
float tank. Floating improves sleep and helps the body relax and increase
efficiency day to day.
About the Author:
For more great sensory
deprivation related articles and resources check out
http://anxietyadvisor.info
Source of this article:
www.goarticles.com
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