The latest online craze gaining momentum is ‘dark showering’.
Much like the well-known practice of enjoying a calming candle-lit bath, people are now bringing that soothing ambiance to their showers.
The debate over the ideal time for showering, whether morning or night, has long persisted, with many advocating for evening showers.
One proponent of night-time showers is Doctor Aragona Giuseppe, a GP and medical advisor at Prescription Doctor.
In a conversation with Glamour UK, Dr. Giuseppe explained: “The main benefit of night-time showers, however, is that during the day, your body and your hair can collect airborne allergens and irritants, dirt and grime, especially in the summer months from pollen, chemicals and sweat.”
He further noted: “So if you go to bed without showering, these will then transfer to your bed and sheets and may not only promote dirty bedding and night-time allergies but could also cause itchy, irritated and dry skin as well as facial skin issues such as acne due to dirty sheets and pillow cases from day time oil and dirt.”
Keeping this in mind, the concept of ‘dark showering’ is on the rise, living up to its name.
Nidhi Pandya, a NAMA-certified advanced ayurvedic practitioner and bestselling author of Your Body Already Knows, shared with Real Simple: “Unlike [an early] morning shower, which is typically bright, energizing, and focused on cleansing and awakening the body, a dark shower is a ritual for the nervous system.
“By dimming or turning off the lights, you create a sensory cocoon that signals the body to unwind.”
And what is closely associated with unwinding? Reducing stress.
“Showering in the dark lowers visual stimulation, which can help the nervous system calm down,” stated Stefanie Mazer, Psy.D, a psychologist based in Palm Beach, Florida.
“Some people find it eases racing thoughts after a long or tense day, and it may calm the nervous system.”
The serene sensation you experience after a ‘dark shower’ can also aid in falling asleep more easily, according to Dr. Allie Hare, a sleep medicine consultant at Royal Brompton Hospital.
Dr. Hare told The Independent: “In terms of sleep, studies have shown that taking a warm shower or bath before bed can help improve sleep quality and reduce time taken to fall asleep.
“This is likely to relate to the effect of the warm shower on reducing core body temperature, a key signal for sleep onset.”
Dr. Hare continued: “Taking a shower under dim light conditions may also help to signal to the body that it is time for sleep because dim light is a signal for the release of one of the key hormones for sleep, melatonin.”
To truly enhance your ‘dark shower’ experience, Dr Hare recommended listening to ‘gentle music’ while bathing as it can ‘help calm the mind’.
Of course, it’s important not to shower in complete darkness. It’s suggested to have at least a candle or some dim lighting to safely navigate your surroundings.