THE thought of lying in ten inches of water in a dark enclosed room may sound like sheer hell, but lifestyle therapist Elizabeth Arnold swears by it.

The idea of a flotation tank sounded so intriguing that I decided to give it a go because I'll try anything once if it promises to relieve stress.

Elizabeth is a member of the Guild of Complementary Practitioners and runs Nutters Healthy Lifestyle Centre in New Street, Chipping Norton.

She has had a flotation tank for the past eight years and is unhappy about people describing it as 'sensory deprivation'.

Elizabeth, who uses the tank about once a week to unwind, said: "I don't like the term 'sensory deprivation'. It's just like floating in a kid's swimming pool.

"You get a strange sensation of turning around at first, as if you are on a roundabout.

"The Epsom Salts in the water are pH-balanced with your skin and it will never dry it out. It is extremely healing and strong - like being in the Dead Sea.

She added: "It was invented for the astronauts to reproduce space travel by NASA by placing people vertically in salt.

"It will help circulation although it isn't instant magic, it draws the toxins out."

Well, I was ready to test it and was led to a changing room where I could undress - some people may prefer to put a swimming costume on, but I decided to go naked, hence I refused to be photographed for the article! I hurried across the corridor, hugging my rather miniscule towel around me, and shut myself in the flotation room.

The water was beautifully warm at 98.4F and I lay down and waited.

I immediately experienced the feeling of weightlessness in the water.

It was a weird sensation - not exactly frightening, but because you are lying in a tank of salt water and cannot see (although a little light can be left on for those who feel too scared!) it can take a while to settle down and relax.

The golden rule is not to give in - you must allow yourself enough time to enjoy the sensation.

Then I remember waking up after what felt like hours. I panicked a little, thinking Elizabeth had gone home for the evening and forgotten about me, but I was enjoying it so much that I decided to stay in anyway.

I floated around, readjusted the makeshift ear plugs and dropped off again...

Eventually Elizabeth turned a light on from outside the room which was my signal to get out.

It was then that I realised I had only been in the flotation tank for 40 minutes which was unbelievable. The experience was amazing and one I would recommend.

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