How It Feels to Float

Synopsis

"Profoundly moving . . . Will take your breath away." -Kathleen Glasgow, author of Girl in Pieces

"Give this to all your friends immediately . . . It tackles mental health, depression, sexual identity, and anxiety with beauty and empathy." -Cosmopolitan.com

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best of the Year

Biz knows how to float, right there on the surface-normal okay regular fine. She has her friends, her mom, the twins. She has Grace. And she has her dad, who shouldn't be here but is. So Biz doesn't tell anyone anything-not about her dark, runaway thoughts, not about kissing Grace or noticing Jasper, the new boy. And not about seeing her dad. Because her dad died when she was seven.

But after what happens on the beach, the tethers that hold Biz steady come undone. Her dad disappears and, with him, all comfort. It might be easier, better, sweeter to float all the way away? Or maybe stay a little longer, find her father, bring him back to her. Or maybe-maybe maybe maybe-there's a third way Biz just can't see yet.

Debut author Helena Fox tells a story about love, grief, and inter-generational mental illness, exploring the hard and beautiful places loss can take us, and honoring those who hold us tightly when the current wants to tug us out to sea.

"I haven't been so dazzled by a YA in ages." -Jandy Nelson, author of I'll Give You the Sun (via SLJ)
"Mesmerizing and timely." -Bustle
"Nothing short of exquisite." -PopSugar
"Immensely satisfying" -Girls' Life
* "Lyrical and profoundly affecting." -Kirkus (starred review)
* "Masterful...Just beautiful." -Booklist (starred review)
* "Intimate...Unexpected." -PW (starred review)
* "Fox writes with superb understanding and tenderness." -BCCB (starred review)
* "Frank [and] beautifully crafted." -BookPage (starred review)
"Deeply moving...A story of hope." -Common Sense Media
"This book will explode you into atoms." -Margo Lanagan, author of Tender Morsels
"Helena Fox's novel delivers. Read it." -Cath Crowley, author of Words in Deep Blue
"This is not a book; it is a work of art." -Kerry Kletter, author of The First Time She Drowned
"Perfect...Readers will be deeply moved." -Books+Publishing

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Summary

Chapter 1: The Floatation Tank

In this introductory chapter, Helen Thomson explores the history and science behind floatation tanks. She explains how sensory deprivation can induce a state of relaxation and altered consciousness, and she provides a real-life example of a float session.

* Real-life example: Thomson describes her own experience floating in a tank for the first time. She notes the immediate sense of relaxation and weightlessness, as well as the vivid hallucinations and insights that emerged during her float.

Chapter 2: The Science of Floatation Therapy

Thomson delves into the scientific research on floatation therapy, covering its effects on stress, anxiety, pain, sleep, and creativity. She explains the neurobiological mechanisms behind these benefits and provides evidence from clinical studies.

* Real-life example: Thomson cites a study that found that floatation therapy significantly reduced anxiety and improved sleep quality in participants with chronic pain.

Chapter 3: Floatation and Mental Health

This chapter focuses on the therapeutic applications of floatation therapy for mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Thomson discusses the potential mechanisms of action and reviews the scientific literature on the effectiveness of floatation therapy for these conditions.

* Real-life example: Thomson presents the case of a woman with PTSD who experienced significant symptom reduction after a series of float sessions.

Chapter 4: Floatation and the Mind

Thomson explores the profound effects of floatation on the mind, including its ability to induce relaxation, alter consciousness, and promote mental clarity. She discusses the potential of floatation therapy for enhancing creativity, problem-solving, and spiritual growth.

* Real-life example: Thomson describes the experience of a writer who used floatation therapy to overcome writer's block and gain new creative insights.

Chapter 5: Floatation and the Body

In this chapter, Thomson examines the physical benefits of floatation therapy, such as muscle relaxation, pain relief, and improved circulation. She explains the mechanisms behind these effects and provides real-life examples of how floatation therapy has helped people with various physical ailments.

* Real-life example: Thomson shares the story of a person with fibromyalgia who experienced reduced pain and increased mobility after floatation therapy sessions.

Chapter 6: Floatation and the Future

Thomson concludes the book by discussing the future of floatation therapy and its potential applications in various fields, including healthcare, wellness, and research. She highlights the need for further research to fully understand the benefits and mechanisms of action of floatation therapy.

* Real-life example: Thomson envisions the use of floatation tanks in hospitals and workplaces as a tool for promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and enhancing well-being.