Float Harder

10/15/2026

We’re heading into spooky season but float tanks, despite how they are sometimes depicted in films and media are not ominous and foreboding objects. They are vessels expanding creativity, healing, and calming nerves. October is a fun month to try something unusual or hide from Trick or Treaters. It all depends on your needs.

Let’s say you adore floating and you know someone you believe can benefit from the practice, but they are hesitant to try it? Here are some items to discuss with them that may encourage them to give it a try. Remember, anxiety often comes from the unknown. First, walk them through what the float tank actually is before they arrive. Let them know that you cannot sink. The water is about 10-12 inches and saturated with around 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, making buoyancy effortless.

Most importantly let your prospective floater know that they are in total control. The door or lid does not lock, and they can sit up or open the enclosure at any time without assistance.

When first timers realize they can customize their session they feel more in control of their experience. Never force a full zero-stimuli dark isolation experiment on day one. Encourage them to adjust the settings. Leave the lid or door cracked. They can leave the hatch wide open or partially ajar for the entire session if your floater is uncomfortable with enclosed spaces. Remind them that total darkness is optional. Our float tanks have internal ambient lights they can leave switched on.

Many people do not realize they can float in the same tank with a buddy. We have 2 deluxe float rooms that are big enough for 2 people. Usually we recommend floating alone for a first float but not everyone is ready to float solo.

10/14/2026

We’re heading into spooky season but float tanks, despite how they are sometimes depicted in films and media are not ominous and foreboding objects. They are vessels expanding creativity, healing, and calming nerves. October is a fun month to try something unusual or hide from Trick or Treaters. It all depends on your needs.

Let’s say you adore floating and you know someone you believe can benefit from the practice, but they are hesitant to try it? Here are some items to discuss with them that may encourage them to give it a try. Remember, anxiety often comes from the unknown. First, walk them through what the float tank actually is before they arrive. Let them know that you cannot sink. The water is about 10-12 inches and saturated with around 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, making buoyancy effortless.

Most importantly let your prospective floater know that they are in total control. The door or lid does not lock, and they can sit up or open the enclosure at any time without assistance.

When first timers realize they can customize their session they feel more in control of their experience. Never force a full zero-stimuli dark isolation experiment on day one. Encourage them to adjust the settings. Leave the lid or door cracked. They can leave the hatch wide open or partially ajar for the entire session if your floater is uncomfortable with enclosed spaces. Remind them that total darkness is optional. Our float tanks have internal ambient lights they can leave switched on.

Many people do not realize they can float in the same tank with a buddy. We have 2 deluxe float rooms that are big enough for 2 people. Usually we recommend floating alone for a first float but not everyone is ready to float solo.

10/11/2026

The practice of slowing down is the deliberate regulation of your behavioral tempo and attention to shift your nervous system from chronic stress into a state of safety and physical restoration. To achieve an inner stillness one must attempt to shift their nervous system. Rushing keeps your body in a sympathetic state by flooding your system with adrenaline and cortisol. Slowing down activates the parasympathetic nervous system and stimulates the vagus nerve, which lowers heart rate and blood pressure by almost 30%.

Stillness can also help your brain circuitry. Staying in constant motion and multitasking can over activate the amygdala and temporarily deactivate the part of the brain responsible for logic, memory, and impulse control. Slowing down allows the prefrontal cortex to regain control and modulate emotional reactivity. Neuroplasticity and focus can be enhanced by stillness. Sustained, mindful attention thickens cortical structures in the prefrontal cortex and insula (which manages internal body awareness), breaking dopamine-driven loops of frantic productivity. Float therapy is a way to practice decelerating your mind. Floating reduces stress and anxiety by inducing a meditative brain state.

10/07/2026

Many people choose to float in total darkness in a float tank to relieve stress, fully relax, and give their brains a break from constant external stimulation. Floating offers a mental and neurological reset. Processing everyday sights, noise, and gravity takes up most of one’s mental energy. Removing light and sound allows the brain waves to match the deep relaxation of meditation or the moments right before falling asleep. It can also provide anxiety and stress relief. Studies show that sessions in a dark and quiet float tank can greatly lower short-term anxiety and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Many people float to enhance their senses. Many users find that removing external clutter helps them vividly tune into internal rhythms, like noticing their heartbeat or breath with a sense of calm.

10/05/2026

Float tanks break the pain-stress cycle by removing external stimuli to quiet the nervous system, lower stress hormones, and give muscles total physical rest. This is how the process works:

Zero-Gravity Weightlessness: High amounts of Epsom salt make you float effortlessly. This removes the pull of gravity, which instantly relieves pressure on your joints and tight muscles.

Nervous System Reset: Darkness and silence signal your brain to exit the “fight-or-flight” response. The body shifts into the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes deep healing and physical recovery.     

Lower Stress Hormones: Floating reduces levels of cortisol, the primary hormone responsible for stress and tension responses.

Endorphin Release: The deep relaxation state helps release endorphins and dopamine, which act as natural mood boosters and pain relievers.

Better Blood Flow: As muscles fully relax, blood circulation improves, helping to flush out tension and ease stiffness.

10/02/2026

The Maine Marathon is happening this Sunday, October 4th!

We have a ton of respect for everyone taking on the marathon, half marathon, and relay this weekend. Whether you’re chasing a PR, checking off a bucket-list goal, or just hoping to make it across that finish line, pushing your body and mind that far is no small accomplishment.

We personally know that floating can be an awesome tool both before and after a big race. Before the race, it gives you a chance to get some serious rest, relax your muscles, visualize your race, and get your head in the right place before you hit the starting line.

Afterward, it’s time to recover! Floating takes the weight and pressure off your body while giving those tired muscles and joints a chance to relax. It’s also a pretty amazing way to decompress mentally after spending hours pushing yourself through 13.1 or 26.2 miles.

I floated throughout my own marathon training last year, especially after my long runs, and it is easily one of my favorite recovery tools.

But don’t just take our word for it. Come experience it for yourself!
MAINE MARATHON RUNNERS
GET $26.20 OFF YOUR NEXT FLOAT!
RACE SPECIAL: Maine Marathon participants can take $26.20 off their next float through October 31st.

A big discount for an even bigger accomplishment!

Limit two discounted floats per runner. Available by phone booking only. Give us a call and we’ll get you scheduled.
 
We’ll be open normal hours on race day, Sunday, October 5th, and its not too late to book! (https://floatharder.floathelm.com/booking) 

Please keep in mind that there will be heavier traffic and road closures around North Deering and other parts of Portland throughout the day. We recommend accessing Float Harder via I-295 when possible and giving yourself a few extra minutes to get here on time.

09/28/2026

09/26/2026

Float Harder YEARLY MEMBERSHIP
One Float Per Month – $600 (one time purchase)

You get 12 floats at the time of purchase.
Additional floats are only $55 each.
Enjoy Member Benefits all year!
* Your membership WILL NOT auto renew at the end of the year, it will be turned off until you decide to join again either YEARLY or MONTHLY. Refunds are not given on purchases.

09/24/2026

09/24/2026

Why do have more floaters than usual on days when a full moon is expected? A full moon float combines traditional sensory deprivation tank therapy with the symbolic, calming lunar energy often used for intention-setting and letting go. Combining the meditative nature of floating with the symbolic “letting go” phase of the lunar cycle helps process emotional weight. Have you booked your Harvest Moon float for this Saturday? 207-400-5187