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Thema

Ergebnisse 2 Einträge

  • Background: In Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy), an individual lies on the surface of highly saline water in a dark and silent environment. Prior research on Floatation-REST highlighted its benefits for both physical and mental health in healthy individuals as well as in people with anxiety and stress-related disorders. Methods: A qualitative-empirical approach was employed engaging ten healthy participants, who each completed a 60-minute float session followed by a focused interview on the perception of silence, darkness, and gravity. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis and MAXQDA software. Results: Silence was largely perceived as pleasant, evoking feelings of security, relaxation, and trust. Silence deepened the awareness of thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. Darkness similarly facilitated enhanced introspection and mental-process awareness. Regarding gravity, sensations of weightlessness and the dissolution of body boundaries were associated with mental relaxation, security, and a feeling of lightness. Discussion: Floatation-REST is being employed in studies to induce altered states of consciousness (ASC), as well as in therapeutic contexts to treat mental disorders. Similar to our study, future work could selectively focus on exploring the impact of the three major aspects of the floatation experience we assessed on ASC and therapeutic success.

  • Research on the perception of silence has led to insights regarding its positive effects on individuals. We conducted a series of studies during which individuals were exposed to several minutes of silence in different contexts. Participants were introduced to different social and environmental settings, either in a seminar room at a university or in a city garden, alone or in a group. Instructions across studies varied, as participants were exposed to real waiting situations, were asked to just think and to explicitly experience the time interval without further instructions or following a session of Depth Relaxation Music Therapy (DRMT)/Hypnomusictherapy (HMT). Silence was judged to significantly increase relaxation, improve mood states, and alter the perception of time and the orientation toward the present moment. We controlled for influences of trait variables, such as impulsivity, mindfulness, daydreaming, and time perspective. Findings empirically demonstrate that exposure to silence can be effective in therapeutic and educational contexts to promote relaxation and well-being.

Last update from database: 11.12.25, 09:29 (UTC)