Throughout my entire adult life—whether in job interviews, higher education, or business settings—I’ve been asked this question time and time again. The question comes up more frequently now, especially as I navigate awards applications, podcasts, interviews, and casual conversations with fellow women business owners. We’re all searching for that elusive magic formula to maintain balance in a fast-paced world, balancing careers, motherhood, and personal relationships.
I’ll admit something here: for years, I stretched the truth when answering this question. I’d give the most polished, socially acceptable responses—exercise, yoga, reading, walking, even cleaning! But the reality? I wasn’t doing any of those things consistently. These weren’t routines I relied on to stay balanced. Instead of reflecting on how I actually managed stress, I crafted idealized answers.
If I’m honest, like many people today, what I really did to “unwind” was closer to what the kids now call “rotting”—lying down, scrolling mindlessly on my phone, with the background noise of a TV show. It’s a guilty, unproductive habit, and it certainly didn’t leave me feeling recharged. But what was I supposed to say? “I rot”?
Then something changed. About eight years ago, I discovered floating, and I haven’t looked back since.
Picture this: a new mom, deep in the trenches of early motherhood, with a toddler on one hip and an infant in her arms. I had left my full-time job, not for a break, but to fully invest in my children’s growth and well-being. Like many families, living on a single income wasn’t an option, so I found a way to contribute financially without sacrificing my time with them. After my children were asleep, I would shift from “mom mode” to “work mode,” writing late into the night. My days were a blur of tandem nursing, soothing cries, preparing meals, and being everything my children needed. Fourteen hours of pouring every ounce of myself into them, followed by another six hours of working through the night. I would squeeze in what little sleep I could, only to wake up and do it all over again. I was running on caffeine, adrenaline, and an overwhelming love for my children, but my own tank was completely empty.
That’s when Lindsay MacPhee, my husband’s childhood friend, encouraged me to try floating. Lindsay had just opened the first floatation center in Atlantic Canada. At first, I hesitated. Claustrophobia was a real concern, and I wasn’t sure if I could handle being enclosed in a tank. But here’s the thing—claustrophobia isn’t really an issue when floating, because it’s all about perception and senses. When you can’t see the walls around you or feel the sides or bottom of the tank, you don’t have the sense of being enclosed. Instead, you feel an incredible openness, as though you’re floating in boundless space. The experience isn’t one of confinement; it’s one of complete liberation.
So, I gave it a try. And I never looked back.
In those early years, floating became my lifeline. It was the only way I could truly recharge. Floating allowed me to disconnect from everything, to rest in a space of calm, weightlessness, and quiet. I floated regularly because it was the only way I could regain energy and peace. As my children grew older and more independent, and my side gig turned into a thriving business with global reach, I found I needed to float less frequently—but I always returned when I felt that familiar drain.
Now, as an official float ambassador for the Floatation Centre, I’ve returned to a regular monthly practice. And let me tell you—my mind, body, and spirit were running on empty. Floating is like stepping into a state of deep meditation, where you are cradled by warmth, love, and balance. It’s a sanctuary from the constant rush of the outside world. You enter the tank drained and depleted, but as you float, it’s as if your own internal tank is quietly, yet steadily, refilled. When you emerge, you feel lighter, renewed, and completely recharged—ready to take on whatever the world brings next.
Lindsay MacPhee’s Floatation Centre is more than just a business. It’s a place where you can truly find peace, a space where time slows down, and where the outside world falls away. In addition to float therapy, the centre offers a range of services designed to support whole-body wellness, including Massage Therapy, an Infrared Sauna, Dietetics, Acupuncture, and more. Lindsay’s vision for the centre is remarkable—she has created a refuge for anyone seeking balance and calm in the chaos of life. But her commitment doesn’t stop at wellness. As an advocate for Black, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQA+ rights, Lindsay ensures that the Floatation Centre is a safe and inclusive space for everyone. Understanding the toll that racialized stress takes, particularly on Black and Indigenous communities, the centre offers half-price float therapy sessions for anyone identifying as Black and/or Indigenous. It’s a space where overworked parents, busy entrepreneurs, or anyone needing a break from the daily grind can experience a true reset.
In fact, I’m writing this article after my morning float, and I feel completely refreshed. Gone is the urge to “rot”—I feel vibrant, energized, and balanced, with a clear mind and a full heart. Floating does that for me.
So, the next time someone asks me, “How do you manage stress and stay balanced?” I can answer with confidence: I float. If you’re interested in “taking the plunge” into the world of floating, reach out to me for the possibility of a float—on me!
