All opinions in this post are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
My Salt Therapy Visit
Over the weekend, I went to Soulshine Salt Cavern with my mom and sister who were visiting from New Jersey. I always like to plan something fun and relaxing for us to do together. They both have never experienced a salt cave before so I wanted to show them just how great it is. I had gone once before for salt therapy with some friends and it was a delightful experience.
Salt therapy is a fantastic self-care activity and helps you to reduce stress and unwind. I found the Soulshine Salt Cavern which was close to my house and very convenient. The Soulshine Salt Cavern is located in the Red Barn in Durham, Connecticut. What a great find! Besides the salt cavern, they have a variety of other holistic offerings including Reiki, Massage Therapy, Nutrition counseling, Psychotherapy, Wellness classes and so much more.
What is Salt Therapy?
Halotherapy has been around since the early 19th century and has many antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits. It is a natural way to detox your body and improve a variety of conditions. Besides the benefit of stress reduction, salt therapy is good for respiratory issues, allergies, colds, asthma, and a long list of skin conditions. Click here for more info on the history of salt therapy and how it works to detox the body. What I like most is that it is a drug and chemical-free way to improve your overall wellness!
My Experience at the Salt Cavern
Having Fibromyalgia and Anxiety, I try to stick with alternative means of healing and pain relief. Walking into the waiting room at Soulshine Salt Cavern, I could sense a feeling of calmness and healing. First of all, it smelled really good in there! I can only imagine they use some kind of essential oil blend that is pleasing to the senses.
The friendly staff explained what we could expect. First, we had to fill out a brief intake form where they ask about medical history and then we had to sign a typical waiver. Some conditions are contraindicated which is good to know ahead of time.
Before you walk into the cavern, you need to take your shoes off and wear white or light-colored socks. They have a space to store your belongings while you are in the salt room. There is always a staff member to watch your stuff so no need to worry.
Let the Unwinding Begin
As soon as I saw the salt cavern I immediately loved it. My first thought was how great would it be to give or receive massage therapy in this environment! We walked in and there was soothing spa music playing in the background. I loved the tree in the middle of the room. The antigravity chairs were extremely comfortable and a joy to lay in for the whole session.
It is a good idea to go with people you feel comfortable with and who have good energy. We were lucky to have the room completely to ourselves. I admit I did have a little anxiety at first but then settled down and started to relax. My thoughts were all over the place but they too also started to quiet down after a little while. A couple of times, I looked over at my sister and mom and they both seemed to be relaxed and enjoying it.
Once I closed my eyes and started focusing on the lovely music I began to unwind. My sister said she did fall asleep and caught a nice little nap. At one point, I felt a little pressure and some popping in my ears and also felt a little tingling in my hands. I was a little cold but that is typical for me so next time I would wear some heavier clothes.
Wrapping Up the Salt Therapy Session
During the session, you do hear the salt being dispersed into the room but the music drowns out that noise mostly. I noticed a little salt on my skin and I tasted some on my lips afterward. The feeling of walking on the pink Himalayan salt was amazing and it reminded me of being at the beach. My feet were so happy! After relaxing for 45 minutes, a staff member comes back into the room to inform you the session has ended. We took a few minutes to wake up and then went back to get our belongings in the cubbies provided.
We stopped to look at some of the events coming up as well as the holistic items for sale in the waiting room on our way out. They have you pay for the session beforehand which is a good idea because you feel a little out of it after! There was also a cute gift shop with more holistic gift items on the way out of the building.
Soulshine Cavern Salt Therapy
At Soulshine Cavern, the room accommodates a group of 10 or you can go as an individual. Each session costs $40 for 45 minutes. They have gift cards and packages available. Check them out on Facebook and Instagram! If you are in the area, make sure to visit them at 352 Main Street in Durham, CT. which is located less than 30 minutes north of New Haven, CT. For more info, visit their website at www.soulshinesaltcavern.com.
I highly recommend salt therapy as a complementary wellness activity. I hope to schedule another visit in a couple of months and will also attend some of their wellness events.
Here’s a picture of me, my mom, and my sister happy and relaxed after the salt therapy session!
Let me know if you have ever tried salt therapy and what you thought of it!
xoxo
Jill DeMasi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Certified Wellness Coach with a passion for helping others manage stress, chronic pain, and anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.
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