Omahans Relieve Stress through Float Tank Practices 

By: Nathan Swets, Reporter

OMAHA, Neb.- When it comes to therapeutic practices for promoting well-being, small businesses are making their unique impact in the Omaha Metro. 

Float tanks, otherwise known as Sleep Deprivation Tanks, serve as a practice to promote mind and muscle relaxation, which was first developed in the mid-1950’s. 

Sensory deprivation tanks may be considered a form of wellness therapy. There are many forms of wellness therapy such as massage therapy, cryotherapy, meditation, and others, but float tanks take it to another level, by taking away your senses.

The Owner of Float Center in Omaha, Angela Wilson said customers utilize float tanks to help with mental health issues and chronic pain issues and find that doing this once a week or more, may keep their body in a calm and relaxed state. Photo Credit: Nathan Swets

These tanks require nearly 800 pounds of Epsom Salt for the body to become buoyant. While water temperatures are heated to eliminate the use of thermoreceptors, which detect differences in temperatures. Both factors deprive the body of it’s senses. 

The Owner of Float Center in Omaha, Angela Wilson said customers may come to float for a variety of reasons.  

“Sometimes if people are really trying to help with mental health issues, chronic pain issues, that kind of thing, they’ll find that once a week of more often can really be what they need to keep their body in that nice, relaxed state as much of the time,” Wilson said. 

The inside of a sleep deprivation tank, made to promote mind and muscle relaxation. Photo Credit: Nathan Swets

Some customers do just that. A Float Center customer, Anand Murthy, said he floats one to three times a week and reports benefits from the practice. 

“I think a lot of people try floating as just this one-time experience and they just go about their world. But once a week, if you can incorporate floating into your life, the energy of stress and anxiety turns into calm and tranquility,” Murthy said. 

Murthy also notes that as float tanks serve as an experience, the majority of the value comes when he walks out the door.  

Float Center seeks to broaden their customer base and welcome young adults to improve their well-being during stressful times. They’re located near 155th and Dodge in Omaha, Nebraska.