The Jellyfish Float

One of the most relaxing activities is the jellyfish float. It is also known as the 'dead man's float' or the 'survival float'.
It's the ability to float in open water in a relaxed position on your back (or on your stomach while holding your breath).
It is a vital part of swimming lessons, as it can save your life if you find yourself in open water and you become exhausted. The air in your lungs can keep you afloat and the slightest movement to tread water is a much better alternative to frantically treading water and wearing yourself out.

I don't get to hang out in pools very often. With my unfortunate reaction of hives from the shortest exposure and a respiratory reaction from longer exposures, I can only go swimming after a decent dose of antihistamine followed by a thorough scrub.
I grew up a total water-baby though. I spent the vast majority of my time in lakes. We had a little boat and we'd go tubing and skiing and spent almost all of our time in the water. When I was a kid I would go swimming all the time... and getting to go to the West Edmonton Mall Waterpark (and Galaxyland) was one of my all-time favourite vacations. The only problem was that every time I went, I would always end the 'trip' coughing violently nonstop, to the point where I could barely breathe. Connecting that reaction to my wheezing during other activities, my early doctors actually believed I had asthma, and treated me for it.
Nope.
Good old fashioned allergy.

So now my excursions in water are less frequent and even more precious. The water itself helps the pain in my joints, and I can actually get some decent exercise in without increasing my pain to unbearable levels.
But my favourite part of being in the water - the most relaxing part - is the jellyfish float. Closing my eyes, rolling onto my back, submersing my ears, and relaxing every muscle in my body as I effortlessly float. The noise, the pain, the treading water, all seeps away.

Tonight I made one of THE best discoveries about our home.

My bathtub is deep enough to do the jellyfish float. In my own home. Then - to add to the already heavenly feeling - if I fill the tub halfway, I can float while I keep the tap running. That sound during that float was beyond relaxing.

Amazing.

It might be weird, but I absolutely love it.