To teach someone to float, you might have to give them a few instructions – lay back, lay your head on the water, lay your arms and legs out, lie still – but the most important part of the “technique” of floating is…do nothing, let go, and let time pass. People often find it hard to let go and trust in their body’s natural ability to float because it goes against the instinct to fight or control the anxiety. Their mistrust and apprehension will lead them to “do things” to try and stay afloat.
What did Claire Weekes Mean by “Floating”?
Claire Weekes’ concept of “floating” is an approach to dealing with anxiety that emphasizes the importance of letting go and not fighting against the sensations of anxiety. Instead of trying to control or combat the fear, she suggests allowing the sensations to pass over time, much like how a person floats on water by simply letting go and trusting their body’s natural ability to stay afloat.
The floating approach can be summarized by the following key principles:
Acceptance: Recognize and accept your anxiety without trying to fight it.
Non-resistance: Instead of tensing up and trying to control your fear, let go and allow yourself to experience it.
Patience: Understand that overcoming anxiety takes time and there are no quick fixes.
First and foremost, Claire Weekes meant to convey the opposite of fighting. The way to regain a sense of calm is to go along with the sensations of anxiety and panic, rather than oppose them. She described floating as “masterly inactivity”, and said this meant: to stop holding tensely onto yourself, trying to control your fear, trying ‘to do something about it’ while subjecting yourself to constant self-analysis. The average person, tense with battling, has an innate aversion to …letting go. By practicing floating, individuals can gradually regain a sense of calm and reduce their anxiety.
A helpful mnemonic to relax in a moment of distress is F.L.O.A.T.
- Feel Sensations
- Let Go
- Open
- Accept
- Time Passes
By floating through anxiety, we can reduce the physical and emotional tension that exacerbates our fears, much like how floating in water conserves energy and allows us to stay afloat. Here are some steps that you can practice daily to help you integrate this approach into your life:
Acknowledge Your Anxiety: When you feel anxiety rising, acknowledge it without judgment. Simply recognize that you are feeling anxious.
Stay Present: Focus on the present moment. Ground yourself by paying attention to your surroundings, your breath, or physical sensations. This helps prevent your mind from spiraling into worst-case scenarios.
Let Go of Resistance: Instead of tensing up or trying to push the anxiety away, allow yourself to feel it. Imagine you are floating on water, letting the waves of anxiety pass over you without fighting them.
Breathe Deeply: Practice deep, slow breathing. This can help calm your nervous system and reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety. Try inhaling deeply through your nose, holding for a few seconds, and then exhaling slowly through your mouth.
Use Positive Self-Talk: Remind yourself that anxiety is a temporary state and that you can handle it. Phrases like “This too shall pass” or “I am safe” can be reassuring.
Visualize Floating: Close your eyes and visualize yourself floating on a calm body of water. Imagine the sensation of being supported and gently carried by the water, allowing your body to relax.
Practice Regularly: Like any skill, floating through anxiety takes practice. Incorporate these techniques into your daily routine, even when you’re not feeling anxious, to build resilience.
Be Patient: Understand that progress may be gradual. Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to adapt to this new way of handling anxiety.
By consistently applying these steps, you can develop a more peaceful and accepting relationship with your anxiety.