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Showering is one of the most peaceful times of the day. With warm water, the aromatic scent of shampoo, conditioner, and soaps, and quiet moments of reflection — bathing time is the perfect way to unwind. But what if you could make the experience even more soothing?
A popular social media trend called “dark showering” is doing just that. It shows the simple act of turning down the light switch can have meaningful perks when it comes to calming down, according to Real Simple.
What Is the Dark Showering Trend?
Dark showering simply means taking a shower without strong lighting — usually with the lights off or dimmed. “A dark shower is a ritual for the nervous system,” Nidhi Pandya, a NAMA-certified advanced ayurvedic practitioner, tells Real Simple. Pandya says the absence of bright light helps “down-regulate” the body’s stress response, supports its natural circadian transition from day to night, and signals the body to unwind.
To try the trend — dim the lights in your bathroom to a point that's soothing, and make sure you still see and can enter the shower safely. Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist, tells Fox News he recommends easing into the experience. Begin by softening the lights one hour or up to 90 minutes before bedtime. Rather than standing under harsh overhead lighting, you can also opt for a gentle amber or red glow. To add to the experience, enjoy simple comforts like lavender or frankincense oil. The experience doesn’t have to last a long time — even 15 to 20 minutes can be beneficial.
Dark showering can especially be helpful for people looking to wind down after a long day. However, for those who feel uneasy in the darkness, Dr. Amen says dim lighting, gentle music, or a relaxing scent can make the space feel more secure.
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The Benefits of Dark Showering
Turning off the light can uplift your life, Real Simple explains. It has the power to lower stress, because showering in the dark lowers visual stimulation, which soothes the nervous system. A dark shower before bed can also help you sleep. The rise and fall of core body temperature due to a warm shower before bed has been documented to assist with the production of melatonin. A less stimulating environment due to the darkness enhances this benefit even more.
Dark showering may also help improve your day. “The experience can shift a negative mindset into a calmer state. Even a short dark shower may leave people feeling refreshed mentally,” Dr. Mazer, a psychologist, tells Real Simple.
Another benefit? Enhanced mindfulness. Less light creates fewer distractions. When the bathroom lights are dim — you may pay more attention to the sound of water and the sensation on your skin, which can put you into a meditative state. Lastly, the experience can create a sense of intimacy and sensuality. “The low light, warm water, and heightened sensory awareness create a soft, atmospheric mood that’s inherently romantic,” Mazer says.
A Timeless Worldwide Ritual to Try at Home
The benefits of dark showering may have been felt among cultures across the world, including in India where people often bathed at twilight to cleanse their energy and prepare for night. In Japan’s wooden bathhouses, dimly lit steamy rooms allowed people to enter a state of ease.
“Similarly, in ancient Greece and Rome, bathhouses often had low-lit tepidariums and caldariums, where people soaked and steamed by the light of oil lamps, not just to clean but to relax, restore, and transition,” she adds.
So dim the lights, light a candle, and play soothing music. This ritual can be deeply restorative, helping you reset at the end of the day, and inviting more peace into your life.
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