Need some time to relax? There’s a spa in Greenville that offers a unique way to unwind. Kidding Around’s Kristina Hernandez headed to Drift Float & Spa to check out their saltwater pods for floating. She thought it was really relaxing! Find out about her experience and what you can expect at Drift Float & Spa.
Floating by myself in the dark in a super epsom salt bath was not necessarily at the top of my list of things I thought would be relaxing. But there I was, doing that exact thing at Drift Float & Spa in Greenville recently. Honestly, it was my curiosity that got the best of me and having heard about what you do at the spa and how relaxing it was, I wanted to try it out.
Floating in a Pod
The premise of floating in warm water that has over 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt is that it will not only relax your body and declutter your mind, but that it will also rejuvenate sore muscles, ease pain and migraines, suppress stress hormones, and improve oxygen use.
You are given a private suite with a pod and a shower. There are no cameras (that was my first question!), and it’s secluded. You first take a shower to remove any dirt and oils while the pod fills with water. The pod is cleaned and sterilized after every use, so you will be floating in a completely clean pod and water.
Waterproof earplugs are provided, as is vaseline to cover any cuts. Don’t shave beforehand since the salt will not feel good on those areas. You can turn down the lights in the room and get in your pod. They suggest floating in the nude, but if you want to bring a swimsuit, that’s totally fine as well–whatever makes you comfortable.
The water is skin temperature so it’s suggested that the initial shower be cool and not hot. Once you get in the pod, you stretch out and float. There is a floating headrest if you’d like to use it, which I did since it was a little more comfortable. You can close the pod, although not all the way, to keep the water warm during your float. Those who are claustrophobic may not want to close it or just close it a little.
There are some low lights and music that will fade after five or ten minutes and then just, nothing, darkness. It’s just you and your mind floating in the water.
Floating Experience
We have so many channels of information coming every second, whether it’s a crying kid or the radio or someone else’s music outside or the television or social media. It’s hard to turn it off. That’s where Drift comes in.
Drift explains that when the sensory overload is shut off, pretty cool things happen: “It turns out that when you’re not fighting gravity or constantly taking in information, your body has a lot of extra resources at its disposal; your mind is able to unwind and flow freely without distraction, your brain pumps out dopamine and endorphins, and your body gets to rest, de-stress, and heal.”
My mind is always spinning. There is almost never a time when I just stop and think. Even when I relax, I’m listening to a podcast or reading a book – there is always information thrown in my direction. There is never just nothing, a blank space.
Honestly, I’m not okay with nothing. I like to think and be mentally stimulated. I have an awful time relaxing. But here in this pod in the dark just floating, you have to let that go and let your mind wander.
At first, I was not comfortable floating in the dark. I have a fear of dark water and yes, the water is mere inches deep but still, I think about weird things. I forced myself to stop thinking irrational thoughts and enjoy the time alone. The water is set at body temperature so that you have a hard time figuring out where the water begins and your body ends, that they just flow into each other. I felt that and it was really neat.
Even when I tried to think of important stuff, my mind didn’t want to go there. Drift explains that sometimes people solve tough problems in their lives during their float or come up with creative ideas. This makes sense since all distractions are silenced.
Floating turned out to be quite relaxing and I can say that I’m no longer so hesitant to be alone with my own thoughts. That’s a win, right?
After Floating
Music and lights will gently come on to let you know your time in the pod is up. After you’re done, you can take a nice, hot shower to rinse off all the Epsom salt. Shampoo, conditioner, soap, and towels are all provided.
There is a beauty bar provided with a hair dryer and makeup table with lights if you’d like to do your hair afterwards.
Head down the hall to the lounge where there is complimentary water, tea, and even adult coloring books. The whole vibe to Drift is very subtle with dark blues and golds.
I felt really good after my float, even better than after a massage. I tried to go to Drift without expectations and more to satisfy my curiosity but left feeling like I wanted to do it again at some point. As someone who has a hard time relaxing and unwinding, I felt like this was a way to tap into both those things that I had not tried before and that worked better than other things I’ve tested.
Want to Float?
Floats are available for purchase for $75 for a 60-minute float and $100 for a 90-minute float. Packages and memberships are available that lower those prices. And be sure to follow Drift on Instagram or sign up for their email newsletter – that’s how I found out about a 50% off discount on floats and was convinced to give it a shot.
Gift cards are also available on their site. Parking is available for free in the lot around the back of the building on Main Street, right next to Ji-Roz and Two Chefs Market.
Drift Float Spa also offers other services:
Infrared Sauna – Starting at $35 for 45 mins
Lucia Light Therapy – Starting at $45 for 30 mins
Swedish Massage – Starting at $50 for 30 mins
Oxygen Bar – Starting at $10 for 15 mins
Drift Float & Spa
644 N. Main Street, 105, Greenville
864.414.2388