I Went Inside a Salt Cave—Here is What Occurred
I am going to preface this firsthand account of my expertise inside a salt cave by disclosing that I’m obsessive about wellness, and I think about myself an early adopter of many of the newest and biggest wholesome dwelling tendencies in the marketplace. (Simply take my previous articles about all-natural options for antibiotics and butter and the in depth advantages of parsley as proof.) That being stated, I’ll admit I had my doubts going into the salt cave.
What Is a Salt Cave?
A salt cave has partitions comprised of sea salt bricks, whereas the bottom is made up of a looser salt (think about a grainy sandpit). A salt cave’s drying results and the minerals it incorporates might help with colds and respiratory situations, clear toxins and pollution from the physique, and scale back irritation.
My sensible aspect was skeptical about how spending an hour inside a darkish room surrounded by salt may probably accomplish all of the highly effective therapeutic advantages it claims to, however the holistic hippie in me knew I wanted to enter the expertise with an open thoughts. And that I did. Under is every part you should find out about a salt cave.
Wait, What’s a Salt Cave?
I visited the Montauk Salt Cave, situated on the easternmost tip of Lengthy Island, New York, so I’ll use this cave as my fundamental reference. All salt caves are distinctive and will differ in measurement and format, however most caves have the same total construction and are made up of the identical primary parts.
There’s usually a “fire” constructed solely of salt stones and full of salt rock lamps or lights, which provides the cave a peaceable orange glow. The ceiling is supposed to emulate a cave and might also be strung with patches of twinkle lights to supply ambiance and dim lighting, nevertheless, the cave is stored principally darkish to supply a soothing, spa-like atmosphere. I’d examine the ambiance to a big unheated sauna fabricated from salt. Although the phrase cave sounds intimidating, this one is kind of inviting.
What Ought to You Know Earlier than You Go?
First issues first, you’ll wish to make a reservation. Most caves have a restricted quantity of seating and observe a schedule so far as timed group periods go. In different phrases, you probably gained’t be capable of present up and stroll into the cave at your leisure.
Be ready to commit not less than an hour out of your day, as most periods contained in the cave are 45 minutes to an hour. I signed up for a 45-minute session at 4 p.m. on a Saturday, which turned out to be a soothing exercise after a busy day that started with a exercise adopted by a number of errands.
You should definitely drink loads of water earlier than (and after), because the cave can dehydrate you. Lastly, it’s not free, so deliver your pockets. The Montauk Salt Cave costs $40 per particular person for every session, however pricing varies relying on the cave and if it’s a boutique operation or half of a bigger spa expertise.
What Goes on Inside?
Many caves require you to take away your footwear—as you’ll when utilizing the services at a spa—earlier than you enter the salty, sand-like pit contained in the cave. Most caves additionally ask you to depart behind your digital units earlier than getting into, so be able to take part in a mini digital detox. When inside, you’ll discover the cave is stored barely cooler than regular air temperature, which is because of the halotherapy (salt-infused air being pumped into the room).
As I entered the cave for my session, I instantly immersed my ft within the rocky salt substance that makes up the bottom. It feels heavenly to the barefoot and is likely one of the first bodily sensations I skilled from my time contained in the cave. I then took a seat in one in all a number of zero-gravity chairs, which let you recline whereas propping your legs at a cushty angle. All 11 folks in my session took their seats, and a few even selected to take a seat or lay on the salt rock substance of the ground. I used to be given a blanket to maintain me comfy and heat.
Whereas I located myself, I observed a relaxing, peaceable soundtrack—much like one you’d hear throughout a therapeutic massage or spa remedy—which sounded just like the mild ebb and stream of ocean waves. I felt like I used to be settling in for a nap because the proprietor of the cave welcomed us and defined the background and advantages of the salt cave. We started the session with our eyes closed as we have been walked via an train in guided breath work. The breath remedy occurred to be part of a particular package deal for my session, however commonplace salt cave periods usually depart you to loosen up and zen out whereas respiratory within the goodness of the atmosphere.
What Are the Advantages?
The negatively charged ionized salt and hint minerals which might be current within the cave’s ambiance are stated to naturally draw toxins and impurities out of the physique, scale back irritation, and enhance respiratory illnesses like bronchial asthma by clearing the lungs.
As I discussed earlier than, the wellness side of the salt cave depends on halotherapy, which is the act of inhaling the salt-infused air that’s pumped into the cave from a halo generator. As you breathe, minerals (like calcium, potassium, and iron) contained within the purest model of salt are absorbed by each the pores and skin and your air passageways, which might help clear pollens, viruses, toxins, and different pollution from the physique. The negatively charged ionized salt and hint minerals which might be current within the cave’s ambiance are stated to naturally draw toxins and impurities out of the physique, scale back irritation, and enhance respiratory illnesses like bronchial asthma by clearing the lungs.
The pores and skin can be stated to be purified, because it immediately absorbs the vapors. Halotherapy can be identified to assist relieve pores and skin situations, stress, hypertension, respiratory infections, hangovers, and allergic reactions. Salt is a pure anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial, which is why the advantages the cave promotes should not an enormous shock to these knowledgeable in regards to the therapeutic powers of salt.
What Does It Do to Your Physique?
Be ready to really feel relaxed, for one. The ambiance of the cave (dimmed lighting, no telephones, peaceable music) gives a serene atmosphere so that you can slot in a little bit of time for your self. If nothing else, you’ll be capable of relaxation your thoughts or take part in your personal type of meditation for an uninterrupted 45 minutes, which is wholesome in itself. Because the salt is supposed to attract out impurities and toxins, I felt a little bit of a sweaty sensation in my palms and underarms, despite the fact that the room is cooled by the circulating air. I used to be assured by the workers that sweating contained in the cave is extraordinarily regular and an everyday response by the physique because it detoxes and purifies.
I observed that the strain I had been holding in my neck and higher again additionally appeared to be relieved, which may very well be because of the anti-inflammatory advantages of the cave. I can say that every one the bodily sensations I felt have been extraordinarily refined, so don’t anticipate to be totally rejuvenated after 5 minutes inside, however you have to be ready to expertise some type of detox, whether or not bodily or psychological, from the publicity to halotherapy or just quiet time spent within the cave.
