When your job demands composure in chaos, real recovery often happens in silence. In this North Idaho Experience podcast highlight, we sat down with Chris Erdal to unpack how sensory deprivation float tanks, cold plunges, saunas, and red light therapy can help veterans, first responders, and stressed-out high performers reset their minds and bodies. We also share our firsthand session at Release Float Spa in Post Falls and practical ways to “stack” wellness modalities for deeper results.

Whether you’re a firefighter coming off a run, a veteran processing the past, or simply “North Idaho curious,” this conversation maps out accessible, no-nonsense steps to feel better—without the stigma.

What a float tank really feels like

If you’ve never tried one, a float tank is 10–12 inches of water super-saturated with Epsom salt (often 1,000–1,400 lbs), heated to skin temperature. The buoyancy does the work—you simply float. Most people go completely dark and quiet to let the nervous system downshift. The result? Your brain has “nothing to do” but prioritize, sort, and shed mental noise.

During our own session at Release Float Spa, the first 10–20 minutes were fidgety—neck adjustments, micro-movements, that pre-sleep “twitch.” Then the bottom drops out into calm. You lose track of time. Phones and alerts are outside. And for many, the mental clutter finally falls silent.

Why it matters for veterans & first responders

The communities we serve are filled with men and women who excel at stepping into crises. But that same training can make it hard to slow down, ask for help, or try something that looks like “spa day.” Float therapy flips the script: no small talk, no fluorescent lights—just darkness, warmth, and buoyancy that ease the body into parasympathetic rest.

On the ground, Chris has seen real outcomes: better sleep, less anxiety, more mental clarity the next day. One veteran who tried floating for the first time reported eight hours of uninterrupted sleep—a rare win worth chasing. For many, float therapy for veterans and first responders isn’t a luxury; it’s a tool that fits the culture: quiet, mission-focused, and measurable by how you feel afterward.

Stack your recovery: cold plunge, sauna, red light

We tested a powerful sequence before getting in the tank:

1. Cold plunge – Focuses the mind and spikes alertness.
   
   
2. Sauna – Opens up, relaxes, and primes you for stillness.
   
   
3. Cold plunge (round two) – Clears the slate for meditation-level calm.
   
   
4. Red light therapy – Gentle full-body reset that pairs well pre- or post-float.

    

This “fire and ice” contrast made it easier to drop into a meditative state once we entered the tank. If you struggle to shut your brain off, try a short cold exposure and heat cycle first. You’ll carry less tension into the float, and the mental chatter tends to fade faster.

What to expect on your first float

• Show up hydrated, skip the heavy meal.
  
  
• Shower first, turn off the lights and audio once you’re settled. (You can keep a dim light if you’re claustrophobic—do what works.)
  
  
• Expect 10–20 minutes of adjustment. After that, time blurs.
  
  
• Don’t fight “the twitch.” That pre-sleep jerk is common as your nervous system flips into rest mode.
  
  
• Post-float: move slowly, drink water, and notice how your sleep and mood track over 24–48 hours.

“Tough & quiet” recovery: getting buy-in

Firefighters, LEOs, EMTs, military—most aren’t signing up for a group therapy circle. But they will show up for shared challenge (cold plunge at dawn, anyone?) and quiet competence. That’s why blending social modalities (plunge/sauna) with solitary ones (float) is so effective. Bring a trusted teammate. Compete on plunge times. Then each person floats solo. The mix preserves camaraderie while giving every mind the private space it needs.

If cost or access is a barrier, look for employer wellness benefits or local partnerships. Word of mouth from within the tribe is the fastest way to normalize trying a first float.

Beyond the tank: routines that keep you steady

You can’t float every day, but you can build a foundation that makes every session more powerful:

• Sleep like it’s your job. It’s the single highest-ROI health habit.
  
  
• Move daily. Walks, lifting, jiu-jitsu—pick something you’ll repeat.
  
  
• Eat mostly unprocessed food. Save the 20% for real life.
  
  
• Own the morning. Even 30 minutes of reading, journaling, or breathwork before screens can change the arc of your day.

   

For many of us, the float becomes a monthly or bi-weekly “big reset,” with daily routines doing the maintenance in between.

Thinking about making North Idaho home?

Thinking about making North Idaho home? A lot of people who come here are chasing the same things we talk about on the show: cleaner air, stronger community, and everyday access to the outdoors (aka free therapy). If that’s you, we can help you explore neighborhoods, schools, and the right fit.

Try it for yourself

If you’re ready to test float therapy for veterans and first responders, start with one guided visit. Stack a short cold plunge + sauna first, then take 60–90 minutes in the tank. Keep the lights off, breathe normally, and let your nervous system do what it knows how to do. You might walk out with less pain, more clarity—and, if you’re lucky, the best sleep you’ve had in months.

Book a session at Release Float Spa in Post Falls and tell them the North Idaho Experience sent you.