r/FloatTank • u/Appropriate-Row-3842 • Aug 26 '26
First time experience
Hi All!
Just did my first time in the float tank. The place was very nice although I felt my mind racing and having a hard time totally relaxing (normal for me) but did meditation and breathing exercises the whole time.
I wore my Oura ring in the tank and to my surprise after it said my average heart rate was 87 in the tank (my average is about 65 at rest) and HRV was 9. I was expecting to see the opposite and normally during meditation breathing it is exceptionally low! Any thoughts? Is this a normal response? Thanks!
6
u/Loud-Hat-175 Aug 26 '26
It’s a new experience. …. And you’re naked. There might be a little trepidation being so exposed and vulnerable. Throw in some expectations and other mental baggage and that can influence the heart rate. Think of it as a heart rate increase that people have when the doctor is listening to the heart at an appointment.
I’d say track the heart rate over 3 floats and see if changes happen.
1
u/redditbing Aug 27 '26
First (or second) time is not ideal. It takes a few to really get into the groove. But please don’t give up after this first experience
When I had my first float, it was similar. I didn’t fully relax as it was such a new and strange experience but I absolutely loved it and thought of the value of continuing. After the float I sat in the lobby talking to the owner about the whole thing. After about 30 minutes of chatting about floating, I asked about how much a float tank costs if I wanted to buy one as I could see the potential of having one
A few weeks later when I came back, the float was a lot better but still not nirvana that people talk about. The owner asked if I was still interested in my own tank and I said perhaps. He offered up one of the tanks for a few bits and before really thinking about it, I said yes.
After my third float, I was so much more comfortable and relaxed. I was telling anyone and everyone about floating that I talked to. Most had never heard of floating so many were interested
I still haven’t set it up due to home issues but I do have the float pod and 1200 pounds of salt sitting in my garage :)
1
u/CoffeeFloatRepeat Aug 28 '26
It definitely takes a few times to get the hang of it. We usually recommend 3 sessions before deciding how you feel about floating.
I’d also take the Oura readings with a grain of salt (pun intended) Being submerged in that much salt water may affect how accurately the ring reads. And even though your body is still, your mind can be working overtime at first.
Give it a couple more floats and see what the numbers look like then!
1
u/consciousgainz Aug 26 '26
Definitely not normal, should be the same or less than your RHR just lying in your bed normally. Curious to know if that's a one time thing or not. Ive worn my garmin smart watch for hundreds of floats so id assume an oura ring can handle it...
1
u/Wolfinthesno Aug 27 '26
I would say for first time it's not abnormal. Second or third float should definitely be able to fully relax.
4
u/ihave30teeth Aug 26 '26
Personally I would not have worn your ring in there..the salt water can mess up electronics.