It’s more than a tad infuriating how little information there is out there for women about perimenopause and menopause. This natural stage of life that all women experience is still talked about so little – and don’t even get me started on how few studies are done on the topic!

I’ve been experimenting (and somethings floundering) for the last several years in a menopausal fog, trying to figure out what works for me in terms of symptom management. I exercise, try to manage my stress, take my vitamins and attempt to eat right. Y’know… all that self-care stuff we hear so much about (not just during menopause, but always). In my quest to manage stress, I decided to join in on the summer float practice here at The Floatation Centre. I’d done some reading on floating and learned that it has lots of great benefits for us perimenopause and menopause queens: not just relaxation and pain management, but potential support for hot flashes, mood swings and sleep issues. Score!

After my first float I was hooked. Just the simple act of taking this time for myself, outside of the usual “get a manicure and eat lots of vegetables” self-care routine was a special treat in itself. I emerge from the tank feeling calm, rested, and proud of myself for taking the time to just be for a little while.

Floating allows me to recover physically, mentally, and emotionally; it’s a small but powerful reset in this hectic world that brings me back to feeling a little more like my balanced, pre-menopausal self again. And even better than that – it’s helping me to get acquainted with this new version of me, as I navigate my way through the next stage of my life. I have no idea what’s in store for me, but I do know that my floats are helping me feel a little bit more prepared.

I don’t have all the answers yet, but one important thing I’ve learned in the last little while is that this stage of life isn’t about “getting through” menopause, it’s about learning how to care for ourselves differently. Floating has become part of how I’m doing just that.