Squishy Toys for Sensory Deprivation: How They Can Enhance Floating Therapy

 

Have you ever experienced floating therapy, aka sensory deprivation? If not, you could be missing out on a profoundly relaxing experience that can help ease anxiety and improve sleep quality. In sensory deprivation, an individual floats in a sensory-controlled tank or pool, also known as a float tank, for a set duration. The float tank isolates the body from any external stimuli and promotes overall relaxation and sensory deprivation. What if we told you that squishy toys could take this experience to a whole new level of sensory exploration and relaxation? Here's how squishy toys can enhance the floating therapy experience.

 

First, let's talk about why sensory deprivation and floating therapy are beneficial for your overall health and well-being. Many people suffer from anxiety, depression, or have difficulty sleeping. Sensory deprivation creates a near-total absence of external sensations, allowing your mind to go into a deep relaxation state similar to meditation. It's an effective way to reduce anxiety and stress, and it may also help with chronic pain. All of these factors make floating therapy an excellent choice for those seeking to improve their mental and physical state.

 

Now, imagine introducing squishy toys into this process. Squishy toys, usually made of soft and flexible polyurethane foam, are surprisingly popular toys and stress relievers made specifically for their squishy and tactile properties. They have been used to calm overly active or anxious children and to provide stress relief for adults in various settings, such as the workplace or the home. Introducing these toys into the float tank can help enhance the sensory experience and make the practice even more relaxing.

 

Here are just a few ways in which squishy toys can improve the sensory experience of floating therapy:

 

1.Tactile Stimulation: The soft and squishy texture of the toys can provide a pleasing tactile sensation for those who enjoy it. This tactile stimulation can enhance the overall relaxation experience of floating therapy by providing an additional level of comfort and sensory exploration. The feeling of the toys in your hand can be a comforting reminder of physical touch that many individuals may crave, especially in times of high stress or anxiety. Squishy toys can offer a unique sensation that helps to soothe and calm the body and mind, allowing individuals to further relax and de-stress. Overall, the addition of squishy toys to floating therapy can provide new levels of tactile stimulation that can enhance the therapeutic experience for many individuals.

 

2. Sensory Exploration: Squishy toys can provide a small degree of sensory exploration within the float tank. The different textures and shapes of the toys can create a visual and tactile experience, allowing users to explore different sensations of the toys' shapes, just as we do for touch and pressure.

 

3. Distraction: Squishy toys can provide a level of distraction for those who are prone to anxiety or claustrophobia. The toys can be squeezed or manipulated, providing a means of letting the mind relax and focus on something besides the enclosed environment of the float tank.

 

4. Mental Stimulation: Squishy toys can also provide a level of mental stimulation for those who do not want complete sensory deprivation. The squishy toys can be used as a way to keep the mind occupied and engaged, allowing for a deeper sense of relaxation.

 

Overall, introducing squishy toys into the float tank can enhance the sensory experience and provide additional relaxation techniques to those participating in floating therapy. To learn more about the benefits of floating therapy and how squishy toys can enhance the experience, consider speaking with your local floating center about incorporating these toys into your next session. Remember, squishy toys can help you relax and tap into your senses, increasing calmness and tranquility.