SELF-CARE SUNDAYS

Last week I had a lot of old shit smack me in the face. There were things that I would have sworn I healed and moved on from that knocked me upside the damn head, but it be like that sometimes. After battling with depression and anxiety long enough, I know when I feel the darkness creeping in on me, and I refuse to leave space for that darkness to permeate. It's been a while, but my unwanted visitor returned. My main form of defense is always to completely close off from any and all outside distractions, opinions and interactions, and go within. This tends to cause an issue with close relationships in my life because I have not mastered finding a healthy balance. I give all of me to the people I love, most of the time, and at any moment I’ll take it all back if I start to feel myself slipping into discontent. It’s almost as if, at that point, I feel like I need to preserve all of me, just in case I have to whoop depression’s ass for the millionth time. I apologize to my loved ones if you haven’t heard from me lately; I’ve been “working.” After unnecessarily over analyzing my life for a couple of days, I decided it was time for a self-care day, but an ordinary “deep condition my hair, take a bath and eat some good food” self-care day was not going to cut it this time.

Part 1 – Float Annapolis – Treat Yo’self !

A good friend of mine could tell I was a little “off” a few weeks back and gifted me a “float” at Float Annapolis. He is the same friend that put me onto sensory deprivation tanks, or “floating”, in the first place about a year or so ago. Sensory deprivation tanks, also known as isolation tanks or float tanks, are completely lightless, soundproof tanks filled with body temperature water that’s loaded with Epsom Salt. Hence “sensory deprivation,” you feel, see, and hear NOTHING while inside of the tank. You lie down in the tank and float effortlessly due to the high salt content of the water; since the water is body temperature, you literally feel nothing. This allows an out of body experience that can easily assist you into deep meditation, take pressure off of your body, or simply allow you a space to sort your thoughts and just BE with yourself, uninterrupted. Float tanks have been used since 1954 for various reasons. I know of people who utilize the tanks paired with hallucinogens for a psychedelic experience and others who simply use it for stress management, relief from insomnia or reduced blood pressure. Plenty of professional athletes have also noted floating multiple times a week to relieve muscle tension and pain. To be honest, the first time I floated I just wanted to have a dope trip, but it was much more than that. I came out of my first 60 minute float feeling like I just had a Swedish massage, and my anxiety was non-existent for almost a week; I was blown away. The price ranges and I usually spend about $60USD on a 60 minute float, regular price; Check Groupon for deals first, you may be able to pay that price for a 90 minute session. I have shared a couple of videos from my experience on IG, follow us at omdivine.

I booked my float for Monday, February 27 at noon. I took a small bag with some toiletries since I knew I would have to shower after exiting the salty tank water. The rooms include the tank, a shower, various soaps, shampoo, conditioner, Q-tips, a mirror, ear plugs, a towel and wash cloth. The staff is really helpful and comforting in explaining how everything works on your first visit, at least at Float Annapolis where both of my floats have been. I recommend you eat a light meal beforehand, nothing heavy, but you don’t want your stomach growling. The tank is 5′ Wide 8′ Long x 7′ High and big enough to stand and walk around in; it contains 12” of salt-water solution. You are supposed to use the shower to quickly rinse any oils, lotions or products off before entering the tank. Once you enter the tank (naked), they play a few minutes of meditation type music to help you relax and adjust. I had concerns about feeling claustrophobic at first but it actually ends up feeling the opposite, as though you’re simplified to an atom or a speck, and you have entered this vast, endless space. You lose all sense of your physical body and this is where you mind and/or spirit takes over. If you normally do visualization techniques or are interested in doing them, this is the ideal place. There were plenty of times where I felt so level and “one” with the water that I had to sit up because I couldn’t tell if I was breathing or sinking under the surface of the water, it was truly a unique experience. I noticed that on both of my floats my mind wandered to similar things; at first my mind wandered to all the tasks I needed to do and I let these thoughts come and then leave, after that my mind wandered to sexual thoughts probably due to the amount of comfort and euphoria I was feeling. I fell asleep on and off throughout the 90 minutes, and when I was ready to meditate I made sure to keep my eyes open; for some reason that made a difference even though, open or closed, it looked the same. I visualized the things I will manifest into my life and allowed my thoughts to sort themselves out at their own pace. I played around with different positions to see what felt the best and I’ve noticed that lying flat on my back with my hands at my side works best for me. I also enjoyed folding my arms behind my head, but that also led to a type relaxation that made me sleepy. Any time I had a muscle spasm it created a wave throughout my whole body and created ripples in the water. That is how in tune I was with myself.

They play the same meditation music towards the end to help you transition back and let you know that you have a few minutes before it’s time to exit the tank. I ate an edible before this float and it honestly made me more anxious than I liked, so I guess I am at the point where that just doesn’t “do it” for me anymore. Next time I will go sober and with intentions of what I want to meditate on to try and limit my wandering mind. I’ve read that floating also has amazing benefits for pregnant women including a special bond with your baby; if anyone is pregnant and has had the experience I would absolutely love to know how it went! info@iomdivine.com

Part 2 – Spa World- #Minuswell Go All Out

I knew that I had my float scheduled, but afterwards I was free for the rest of the day. I figured why not make it into an extraordinary self-care day, a self-care day on steroids. Go big or go home…. and be depressed. I found a groupon for Spa World in Centreville, VA (about 30 minutes from Washington D.C) for $25 for a 12-hour pass! The entry price is typically $40 I believe, which is still amazing if you ask me. The spa is open 24 hours and the entry fee includes access to a Bade pool, ice bath, two hot tubs, showers, wet and dry saunas, a fitness center, heated floors and 7 poultice rooms. The 7 rooms including a Red Clay Ball room, Oak Charcoal room, Amethyst Gem room, Salt room, Ice room, Blue Onyx room and Red Clay room, offer various different healing benefits.

There is an on-site restaurant and juice bar where you can order and scan your bracelet which adds to a tab that you close out when you check out. They give everyone shorts and a shirt to wear in the general areas and poultice rooms, and each locker room (men’s and women’s) have their own private bade pool and hot tubs which you must be completely nude to enter. You can pay for additional private massages such as Shiatsu, Aromatherapy, Foot/Hand Reflexology, Body Scrub, etc. I intended to get a massage towards the end of my visit but after spending quality time in each of the rooms I felt so relaxed and recharged that I didn’t even need it. I did a routine of 2 hot rooms followed by the ice room, and I continued this pattern until I completed all of the rooms. The temperature of each room varies; I chose to stay in some rooms longer, while others I stayed for 20 minutes or less before moving on. I grabbed a mango pineapple juice, which tasted like unicorn tears of joy, and I ordered some veggie lo mein. The lo mein came with miso soup, a small serving of what appeared to be mashed potatoes, a small serving of string beans and some kimchi (I think.) The portions were really decent; I couldn’t even finish my food. I ended my spa day with some iced green tea (eh, I could’ve done without it) feeling loved and clear about what my priorities were and where my worries were stemming from. I felt grounded and able to surrender, the day was much needed. Upon checkout, I spent an additional $25, approximately. After realizing how much I received from my day, after the small amount of money I spent, I gave gratitude and decided that I would make it a routine to visit the spa at least twice a month. I deserve it. As do you. I have shared a few pictures and videos of this experience as well on our IG page, follow us at omdivine.

Whatever self-care means to you, please make it a priority.

  What is more important than taking care of yourself? If not for you, take care of yourself for those that you love, because you cannot pour from an empty cup, and you cannot uplift those around you if you are drowning. When you elevate yourself, those that you hold close to your space will automatically elevate with you. You must recognize that no man is an island, and we are all sensitive beings. The happiness, or lack thereof, of those around us WILL affect us. In focusing on self-care, you create space for yourself to be full and have EXTRA to give to those around you, without taking from yourself; this will also end up benefiting the overall energy that is permeating your space. Spring is coming, and I recognize it as the real new year. Winter has come, the old has died and gone, and it is now time for renewal and rebirth. All of the seeds we have planted will begin to grow abundantly and we must be in a place to receive them. I relate with anyone who feels the darkness trying to pull up on them, I understand. We will not let it back in, not this time, not ever. If you need to talk through it, I am here. info@iomdivine.com

“A person who is deeply interested in his happiness is always interested in other’s happiness also—but not for them. Deep down he is interested in himself, that’s why he helps. If in the world everybody is taught to be selfish, the whole world will be happy. There will be no possibility for misery.” -Love,Freedom, Aloneness

Happy Healing, I Love You!