Flying into (or out of) Washington D.C.? Beat Jet Lag with the Most Relaxing Hour of Your Life
We understand how extremely stressful flying can be, especially around the holidays or when traveling with little ones.
Long flights are taxing on the body. Crossing time zones can make it challenging to maintain your sleep schedule.
Plus, when you travel, you imagine yourself arriving with plenty of energy to explore your destination, which isn’t always the case.
It’s important to schedule a time to unwind before or after your flight, so you can continue to show up as the best, most grounded, and energetic version of yourself.
Float effortlessly in a zero-gravity environment at Hope Floats, a wellness spa.
Wait, so how far is our healing oasis from your airport?
Hope Floats is located in the heart of Bethesda, Maryland, just outside Washington D.C. For reference, we’re only 10 miles away from the U.S. Capitol Building.
From Dulles International (IAD), we’re 23.7 miles, or about 35 minutes away.
Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) is 34.2 miles away, which can take about an hour with traffic.
Ronald Regan (DCA) Airport is 10.1 miles away from Hope Floats.
We’re open from 8am until 8pm every day, so be sure to schedule an appointment that works with your schedule. At Hope Floats, four people can float (in separate rooms) at the same time.
Here's how floatation therapy tackles jet lag:
Take a break from gravity
Flotation tanks have 10-12 inches of water inside, with 1,000 pounds of dissolved Epsom salt.
The high levels of salt create a buoyancy that allows your body to float without effort, similar to floating in space.
This creates an environment that allows every single muscle in your body to truly relax.
Relieve any tension you may have in your joints, and give your back and neck a break from maintaining your posture.
Reset your circadian rhythm
Because float tanks are sound-proof and light-proof, you won’t see or hear anything.
The quiet solitude and darkness of the float tank promote the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone.
This helps to realign your internal clock with the new time zone, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up at the right times.
Reduce stress and anxiety
With high levels of Epsom salt (also known as Magnesium Sulfate) inside each float tank, comes the opportunity to absorb Magnesium through the skin.
Magnesium helps to calm the nervous system, promote healthy brain and heart function, hydrate the skin, and detox the hair.
Jet lag can be a stressful experience. Floatation therapy's deep relaxation benefits lower cortisol, the stress hormone, promoting tranquility and calm. This improved mood and reduced anxiety can further aid in regulating your sleep-wake cycle.
Improve sleep quality
Floating is also known as Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy (R.E.S.T.) because flotation tanks are light and soundproof. The water inside is heated to skin temperature, so your body can truly take a break from seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling things.
Spending time in a dark, quiet, peaceful environment allows for deeper, more restful sleep.
Regardless of meditation experience, many floaters enter a meditative state that allows the brain to produce theta waves. Theta waves naturally occur as you fall asleep or wake up, signaling a state of deep relaxation.
We’re sorry to tell you this, but you can’t bring your phone into the tank with you! The only notification you’ll get is the slow fade-in of Tibetan Chimes that lets you know there are 10 minutes left in your appointment.
You'll emerge feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to tackle your adventures without the fog of jet lag.
Boost energy levels and mental performance
The deep relaxation and stress reduction achieved during floatation therapy can boost your energy levels, leaving you feeling revitalized and ready to explore your new surroundings.
Floating has also been proven to promote creativity, clarity, accuracy, imagery, and memory.
Relax in the infrared sauna before or after floating
Need Extra Relief?
We get it, and we invite you to unwind in the sauna before you float. We call it the “Hope Floats Experience” because sitting in the sauna for 30 minutes before floating for an hour is what we do almost every day.
The infrared sauna, unlike a traditional sauna, gently warms your body without heating the air around you. The infrared heat helps to release tension in the muscles while detoxing your skin.
While you’re in the sauna, your pores will begin to open, allowing for maximum absorption of Magnesium while you float. Plus, it helps to calm the mind and body before floating.
After the Hope Floats Experience, you’ll be ready to explore the Nation’s Capitol buildings in D.C., or jet off to your next adventure.