This time of year always seems to be my busiest. School has started which means we are all back into a new, busy routine for us all to get used to. This year, there’s the PTO, after-school activities and more that keeps us busy. By the time the kids go to bed or the weekend rolls around, I’m exhausted! It’s hard for me to find some time to de-stress but luckily I’ve found my new go-to place – Radiance Float + Wellness in St. Louis!
On a Friday night, I was able to visit Radiance Float and Wellness with a friend for a night of relaxation. I was scheduled to have a massage in the salt room before I enjoyed float therapy and my friend was going to try out the infrared sauna before trying a float herself.
When we first arrived, we instantly commented on the wonderful scent in the air. Radiance Float and Wellness uses Young Living Essential Oils and you can smell them throughout the whole spa. Since we were a little early, we were able to sit in the relaxing waiting area and enjoy water or tea but we decided to try out the Oxygen Bar.
Grab a bar stool and take a seat at the Oxygen Bar. There were several different scents to choose from to target something different. I chose the while my friend chose the. I absolutely loved breathing in the scent and knew instantly that I’d be back to try it again. I really felt like it was clearing my airways!
Using concentrated ambient oxygen and essential oils to optimize wellness with our oxygen bar, guests may experience better immunity, stress reduction, enhanced concentration, increase in energy, stamina and alertness and a reduction in the effects of hangovers, headaches and sinus issues.
As soon as I read about the Salt Room, I was intrigued. I had been hearing about salt lamps and the power of salt a lot lately and I thought that spending time in here would really benefit me. In addition to spending time in the Salt Room, I was also going to receive a massage!
Rejuvenate yourself and your breathable organs (lungs and skin) by simply sitting and breathing in our salt room. Our 30- to 60-minute sessions in our Halotherapy room uses aerosolized pharmaceutical-grade salt to help alleviate symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, allergies, skin diseases, upper respiratory disorders, eczema, and mental lethargy, stress and depression.
When you breathe in salty ocean air or salt vapors in a salt therapy room, molecules enter the airways of your lungs to break down and release negative ions. The negative ions stimulate the linings of your airways, clearing mucous while boosting your immune response to pathogens. When the negative ions reach your bloodstream, they are said to produce biochemical reactions that boost serotonin levels. And, the airborne salt reacts with the skin to resolve a variety of skin conditions.
As soon as I walked in the Salt Room, I could taste and smell the salt right away. I love the beach, so I got a very beachy vibe at first which I loved. The room was warm and dim and I could have just spent time in there by myself but instead I enjoyed my very first massage – so much, that I’m wondering why I waited so long to have one. The experience was amazing and I think being in the Salt Room brought it to a whole different level. In addition to massages, they also offer yoga classes in the Salt Room too.
My friend Rachel has been in a sauna before but this was unlike any normal sauna you may be thinking about in your gym.
Relax in our infrared sauna to detoxify, improve circulation and cardiovascular health, reduce pain, increase your metabolic rate to jumpstart weight loss, rejuvenate your skin, and reduce stress and cortisol levels.
Here’s how it works: infrared light penetrates several inches into the body and creates heat, resulting in a whole-body hyperthermia on a cellular level to make you sweat. This invisible light heats the body, not the surrounding air, so it is more comfortable and allows you to enjoy a longer session than with traditional steam saunas.
Sweating is the best way to rid the body of toxins (drugs, pollutants, pesticides and heavy metals), which in turn improves the immune system and overall health. Sweating is also a great way to increase metabolic rate and reduce stress — it’s like a workout without the work — burning 600+ calories per session. Repeated exposure to heat from infrared light results in cumulative health benefits. And, unlike sunbathing, exposure to infrared heat therapy is safe and won’t cause the skin to burn.
When I asked Rachel what she thought of it, she told me, “It was amazing! It’s hard to describe…it was warm but you don’t feel hot like you’re sitting in the sun. It’s comfortable to sit in and breathe in. I remember feeling like it was very hard to breathe in a regular sauna but not this one! It was very relaxing…so much I almost fell asleep in there!”
I have to admit that I was most excited about but also the most nervous about Float Therapy. I read a ton about it before going to Radiance Float and Wellness and they were also there to answer any questions you had! You can also check out their Float FAQ page before you go!
Float therapy immerses you in a near-zero gravity experience at skin temperature, in an environment free of stimuli to help you escape from the stressors that your body and mind encounter on a daily basis and achieve a state of ultra-deep relaxation.
With 1000 pounds of Epsom salts keeping you afloat, and magnesium infusing your skin, our 60-minute float sessions promote better sleep, improve cognitive function, decrease inflammation and aid in pain relief. Our float rooms can also provide relief for chronic stress-related ailments, such as fibromyalgia, anxiety and depression. We recommend it to almost anyone, from athletes to military veterans with PTSD to pregnant women who are cleared by their physicians to float.
When I first got into the float room, I put my belongings aside and then took a quick shower making sure to shampoo my hair (no conditioner!). I then put in ear plugs that were provided and made sure my hands and face were completely dry before entering. Then I stepped in the float room, closed the door and laid down. There was gentle music that wasn’t too loud playing and light too. When you started floating, you could turn off the lights and music yourself or you could wait for it to turn off itself.
Floating was like an experience I’ve never had. I truly felt like I was thinking my best. At first I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to shut off my brain but really I found I was thinking more clearly and doing some of the most relaxed breathing of my life. With no sounds or light, all those outside sensory issues are gone and you’re able to think and just BE like never before.
If you fall asleep – like my friend did – that’s okay! The lights will come on and the music will start up right before your float is to end so you’ll wake up. If that doesn’t wake you up, you’ll definitely wake up when the filter starts and starts cleaning.
Once I stepped out, I took another shower, this time using the conditioner they provide. If you’re not doing any other services, you can get dressed there and then head to the Beauty room where you can dry your hair, re-apply make-up and get ready to take over the world feeling fresh and energized- or extra serene.
Reflection Room
After your float or any service, you’re going to want to spend some time in the Reflection Room. Grab a glass of water or tea, sit back and get comfortable. Don’t be tempted to get your phone out! Gather your thoughts or you can even write your thoughts down on some paper they have available.
About Radiance Float and Wellness
Founded by a team of physicians, Radiance Float and Wellness aims to provide guests with proven mind and body therapies to enhance their health and wellness, and to create a better tomorrow than today.
We focus on improving our clients’ quality of living by creating experiences with new technologies that make both immediate and lasting changes.
While we practice traditional medicine, we believe in complementary, natural healing to help improve the wellness of our clients and share our knowledge on how to enhance health and wellness of minds and bodies.
October Specials
October is Emotional Wellness Month & also the start of shorter days. Did you know that floating, salt therapy, cryotherapy and nearly all of the services offered at Radiance can contribute to happier moods? Vitamin D Light Therapy also helps counteract the effects of less sunlight/vitamin D in the cooler months. Dr. Thomas is offering free 20-minute emotional wellbeing screenings on select Tuesdays this month (call to schedule, first-come, first-served).
October 2nd is National Child Health Day and Radiance offers salt room sessions, 30-minute pediatric float sessions (for kids < 8, a brief meeting with Dr. Thomas prior to floating is recommended) and kids’ yoga classes year-round. These therapies can alleviate asthma, allergy, cold and flu symptoms, eczema, anxiety, help with sensory integration, focus and stress. Throughout the month, Radiance is offering 20% off on all of children’s services (mention CHILDHEALTH when booking). I had the chance to talk to Dr. Thomas for awhile about the benefits of float therapy for my son and I really can’t wait for him to try it!
October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Float therapy has been proven to help with PTSD that domestic violence survivors are often left with. Radiance is offering free 60-minute float sessions to these survivors this month (mention SURVIVOR when booking).
Connect with Radiance Float and Wellness + a Discount!
I’m so excited that Radiance is offering a discount code for Sippy Cup Mom readers! Get 20% OFF of services and packages at Radiance Float + Wellness (excludes IV Nutrient Therapy, membership and retail items) when you use the code sippycupmom. When you book, you can use the promo code online or call Radiance (314.736.4736) and give the promo code via phone. The discount code expires October 31st, 2017 so make sure to book now!
Have you tried float therapy before?
Disclosure: I received the above services complimentary but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Brandy says
Now this looks like the relaxation I need in my life right now. So glad you were able to share this renew and relax experience. I have heard great things about it but not sure if there are any near me.
Jaclyn Anne says
Sounds like you had a nice and relaxing spa day! This is something that I would just LOVE to try. Usually when I want to treat myself to something relaxing I go for a massage, but after reading about your spa day I would like to try these services next time instead. They sound so relaxing, especially floating!
Desiree Lopez says
I need to visit Radiance Float and Wellness. I’ve never been anywhere like this before but I definitely think with the busy life I lead it would be amazing. The whole facility just looks beyond relaxing and I’m intrigued by all the treatments available.
Kristi says
Wow… looks like the perfect place to get some “me” time and relax a bit. Thanks for letting us know about the discount.
Audrey says
Oh, cool! This place has some amazing things that I’ve never even heard of before. I’d love to spend the day there!
Tara Smith says
This place looks AMAZING! I wonder if the float would be good for the arthritis in my shoulder?
Sara Zielinski says
This looks like a great relaxation day.
Janet W. says
Wow I could really use a visit here for some relaxation!
Julie Wood says
WOW! I would really love to rejuvenate at the Wellness place to relax and be pampered. It looks like fun to go with a friend.
Elena says
I have not heard of float therapy before
shelly peterson says
This looks like a great place to relax. The float therapy sounds interesting.