Experts say showering in the dark actually has five surprising health benefits

Just a basic part of anyone’s hygiene routine, showering is somehow quite the divisive topic.

From what time of day you have yours to which way you face when under the water, people can be pretty picky about the washing ritual.

But while you might think more about the temperature when it comes to health benefits, it seems there’s something in the amount of light while you’re in there.

A bit of a TikTok trend that actually has some backing to it, showering in the dark can apparently do wonders for you mentally.

Reddit users have said the experience is ‘amazing’ and highly ‘therapeutic’ as plenty compare it to being like a budget version of a float tank. Plenty of people say it’s ‘calming’ and one expert has explained why.

Improve that sleep LADs. (Getty Stock)

Sleep medicine consultant at Royal Brompton Hospital, Dr Allie Hare, told The Independent that warm showers before bed can help improve sleep quality and the darkness can aid tis.

“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,” she explained.

There’s a number of other benefits the doctor cites too, such as the darkness or dim light supporting ‘relaxation through mindful enjoyment of the experience’.

The expert says this can therefore help to wind down and ‘switch off’ before going to bed, which often also helps people to ‘fall asleep more easily’.

I mean, it sounds pretty tempting after a long, stressful day and Dr Hare added that getting some lavender in the mix as well as some gentle music ‘can also help calm the mind’.

“Although, some will find the sound of the water sufficiently relaxing in itself,” she said.

Even just some candles can be better than having the big light on. (Getty Stock)

Shalin Balasuriya, Wellness Expert, also told Glamour that a dim shower helps with falling asleep: “ “Circadian rhythm, the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, is central to why this [dark showering] works. Exposure to bright light at night can trick the brain into staying alert, delaying melatonin release and pushing back natural sleepiness. A dark shower before bed removes this stimulus, signalling the body to slow down, relax, and prepare for rest.”

But you can’t help but think, a shower in the pitch black could be a bit risky – what if you slip? Surely razors shouldn’t be out at hand? What if you misjudge the edge?

Well, there’s emphasis on the ‘darkness’ here, that can just be a dim-light, maybe a candle to avoid total darkness.

“Dim lights will not interrupt the experience,” Hare explained, “but they can help to avoid accidents.”

Five major benefits

So, as the experts have said, a dark shower can help improve your sleep quality and falling asleep in the first place.

But it can also really help reduce your stress.

“Showering in the dark lowers visual stimulation, which can help the nervous system calm down,” explained Stefanie Mazer, Psy.D to Real Simple.

Moreover, ending the day with a dim-lit shower can rest your mood as it can ‘shift a negative mindset’ as Mazer added: “Even a short dark shower may leave people feeling refreshed mentally.”

Plus, there’s the enhancement of mindfulness as we said, with the lack of distraction from the room being lit up.

And for those that way inclined, showering in the dark with your partner can boost intimacy as ayurvedic practitioner Nidhi Pandya added: “The low light, warm water, and heightened sensory awareness create a soft, atmospheric mood that’s inherently romantic.”