Too Hot? Too Cold? Find Your Float Goldilocks Zone

Float therapy is all about giving your body a chance to rest completely, including the often-overlooked task of regulating temperature. Float tanks are designed to create the perfect “Goldilocks” environment—neither too hot nor too cold—so your body can take a break from the constant processing of external sensory input and just be.

The Science of Temperature in Floating

The float solution is meticulously maintained at 34.1ºC (93.5ºF), a temperature often referred to as skin receptor neutral because it matches the temperature of your skin. The air inside the tank is also kept at this temperature, creating an environment where your brain isn’t receiving signals that you’re too hot or too cold, so you don't shiver or sweat. When everything is in harmony, you’ll feel like you’ve melted into the water, losing track of where your body ends and the solution begins.

But here's the thing: no two bodies are the same. Factors like health, hormones, or even mood can slightly shift how you perceive temperature. While the tank temperature remains constant, your body’s perception may change during the float.

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This guide is packed with tips to help you achieve and maintain your ideal comfort zone during your float and adjust when necessary.

Temperature Techniques:

Before You Float:

Your pre-float shower is key.

• Warm, Not Hot: Showering in water that’s too hot will warm your skin, making the float solution feel cooler by comparison.

• Tepid, Not Cold: A cold shower can have the opposite effect, making the tank feel warmer than it actually is. Aim for a moderately warm shower to set yourself up for ultimate and lasting comfort.

Harnessing Your Mind

Your mind is an incredibly powerful tool for temperature regulation.

• Feeling Chilled? Visualize yourself in a cozy warm scene—perhaps in front of a crackling fire or sipping a warm drink.

• Feeling Warm? Imagine the cool touch of an iceberg or a fresh breeze. Visualization can work wonders for reframing how your body perceives the temperature.

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Troubleshooting Temperature Perception

Feeling Too Warm?

• Prop the Door Open: Use a pool noodle to keep the tank door slightly ajar or leave it fully open. Change your mind anytime.

• Adjust the Samadhi Roof Heater: If you’re in a Samadhi tank, you can turn off the roof heater (just press the top button).

Feeling Too Cool?

• Try Solution Angels: Similar to snow angels, gently moving your arms and legs in the water can mix the solution around you, resetting your comfort level.

• Experiment with the Heater: In the Samadhi tank, sometimes turning the roof heater off will make you feel warmer – hear us out – it stems from your perception. If the air and solution temperature don't match, the discrepancy can cause confusion in your body. Turning off the roof heater may balance the temperature between the water and air, reducing perceived coolness.

• Persistent Chill? If you frequently feel cold, it might be worth consulting your doctor. The only times we've experienced people being continually chilled in the tank is those with underlying conditions like fibromyalgia. Upon request, we can adjust the tank temperature slightly—just let us know in advance.

This isn’t a hot tub, and while we know many of you love a hot bath, a float tank is an entirely different experience. In a hot tub, the water temperature can reach 40°C, which is fine as long as your head stays above the surface. But in a float tank, your entire body, including your head, is immersed in the solution. Temperatures above 36°C can pose risks to your brain, which is why we're limited in how warm the solution can be. The carefully maintained temperature ensures both your safety and the unique, restorative benefits of floating.

Which is the Warmer Tank?

The Oasis Float Tank doesn’t have a roof heater, but don’t worry—it’s designed not to need one. This room only has one exterior-facing wall which has always kept the room slightly warmer than the Samadhi room. While some might find they navigate towards one tank over the other, both offer a dependably awesome warm float environment.

The Magic of Big Releases

Sometimes, after an emotional, physical, or spiritual release it can feel like you are surrounded by an aura of warm water and when you move, the solution further away feels cooler. This is often due to your body expelling energy in the form of heat. If this happens, focus on the sensation, practice gratitude for the release, and reset with solution angels or visualization techniques.

Your Perfect Float Awaits

We’re committed to making your float as comfortable and restorative as possible. If you experience any challenges with temperature—or anything else—please let us know. We’re here to help you achieve the ideal float experience, every time.

Enjoy the journey to finding your Goldilocks state. Happy floating!