The so-called “dark showering” is said by its fans to help the body relax, reduce stress, and get ready for sleep.
Can a simple shower in the dark help you sleep better? A trend called “dark showering”, where you shower with the lights off or dimmed, is taking off on social media. Fans claim that the combo of darkness and warm water helps the body slow down, relax, and get ready for nighttime rest. In honor of World Sleep Day, experts looked into whether there's real science behind this viral ritual.
According to experts from Hello magazine, reducing light in the evening can indeed help prepare the body for sleep. Light is one of the main signals that regulate our sleep cycle. “When light in the evening is softer and dimmer, it signals the brain that it’s time to slow down and prepare for sleep,” explains Dr. Anita Raja. Darkness also boosts the production of melatonin, a hormone crucial for quality sleep.
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A warm shower can also help. “Part of the natural sleep process is a drop in body temperature, and a warm shower can support this process,” experts explain. It’s best to shower about one to two hours before bed, allowing your body to gradually cool down and get ready for sleep.
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However, experts warn it's not a magic trick for instant sleep. “The idea that there’s one simple hack that’ll make you fall asleep right away usually doesn’t work,” says Dr. Zoe Schaedel. A shower in the dark can be more of a nice evening ritual that, along with other habits—like cutting back on screens and dimming lights—helps the body gradually unwind before bed.
