Dark Showering For Better Sleep: Should You Try The Viral Trend Rooted In Ayurveda?

Dark showering, the term is self-explanatory, as it involves showering in the dark, but is much more to it. This is the latest trend to hit social media as people seek to implement sleep hacks that could improve their sleep quality. With rising rates of insomnia in the Indian population, approximately 10 to 20% of adults in India suffer from chronic insomnia, while 30 to 40% report occasional sleep problems such as difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep quality, or daytime fatigue. So, any sleep hack is welcome to make your sleep deeper. But did you know that dark showering is rooted in Ayurveda, as showering is a sacred ritual that involves cleansing the body from impurities? But to effectively say whether dark showering could work for you, you need to understand the concept, along with its claimed and science-backed health benefits. Here is what it involves, which conditions are needed for it, and the exact health benefits it can provide.

What Is Dark Showering?

Dark showering is a practice that involves showering in the dark or in a dimly lit environment, mainly due to its ability to calm the senses and reduce overstimulation. But practically speaking, dimming the lights in the bathroom could increase your chances of injury. As if accidentally stepping on something could happen, or you could even accidentally injure yourself if you can't see clearly. As per its claims, dark showering can help calm the mind, reduce stress, and improve overall sleep quality. Here is what the studies say:

• According to Behavioural Health, dark showering could reduce visual stimulation, support natural circadian rhythms, and may improve sleep quality and mental calmness by lowering stress levels.
• As per Sleep Medicine Reviews, it was found that warm showers or just taking a bath in general could improve sleep onset latency and sleep efficiency, as it lowers core body temperature.

This supports the idea that showering before bed (in any light condition) can aid sleep. So, there may be benefits to showering in the dark, but being careful is key to avoiding any injuries.

Also Read: From Yoga To Getting Proper Sleep: Here Are The 5 Hacks To Improve Your Focus Naturally

3 Claimed Benefits Of Dark Showering

1. Better Sleep Quality

Taking a shower in a dimly lit environment could improve your sleep quality, as it can serve as a relaxation method. If you are stressed after having a hectic day at work or school, or are just looking for a way to wind down, then you can definitely try the dark showering hack. The exact mechanism behind it works, but only for showering, though, as the hormone melatonin gets effectively regulated when your core body temperature falls. Melatonin is secreted by a gland known as the pineal gland, and it regulates your sleep-wake cycle, so effectively regulating it is vital.

2. Reduced Stress And Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are at an all-time high in India, mainly due to socio-economic factors, pollution, digital overload, and other concerns. To address these rising issues that impact everyday functioning, people are eager to try any sleep hack that can be easily performed to improve their sleep quality. Sound and undisturbed sleep has become a precious commodity, and people are trying dark showering to regulate their stress levels before bedtime, which is becoming popular.

3. Mind-Body Balance

The mind and body need to be in sync for proper functioning consistently. There are multiple studies, like the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the Indian Journal of Well-Being, that indicate showering is a daily ritual that can help maintain mind and body balance.

Shower
Photo Credit: Freepik

Scientific Perspective On Dark Showering

Speaking to NDTV, Dr Sindhu V, Consultant – Pulmonology (Sleep Medicine Expertise) from SRM Global Hospitals, Chennai had this to say about the viral trend of dark showering. The sleep medicine expert explains that showering in dim lights or doing it with little to no light before bed can support better sleep by reducing the exposure to light; this, in turn, signals the brain that it is time to wind down. And usage of bright lights, especially blue light, tends to suppress melatonin, which is the hormone that regulates sleep. In modern Indian settings, wherein the screen exposure is increased, making the sleep schedules irregular, hence minimising light at bedtime will be helpful. Therefore, dark showering itself is not a single solution.

Its entire effectiveness depends on the overall sleep hygiene, the amount of stress levels an individual has, and also the consistency of their routine. This may benefit individuals, but it must complement their broader routines rather than just replacing them.

Looking at the range of studies on the subject of showering, there are no studies on dark showering, so to definitely say it is better would not be wise. But sleep hygiene research does suggest that darkness helps promote melatonin release, which could make sleep better.

• There are comparison studies with other practices like warm showers and meditation.
• But there is a lack of large-scale clinical trials to validate the trend of dark showering.

Also Read: Sleepy After Lunch? Follow These Tips To Boost Energy Levels Instantly

Risks and Considerations Involved With Dark Showering

As mentioned before, there are considerable risks involved with dark showering, such as:

• You can slip and fall in dark bathrooms, leading to painful injuries.
• This trend is not suitable for the elderly or visually impaired, as it could prove dangerous.

The thing with trends is to be mindful of their practicality, and safe adaptation is key. Using a dim light can work instead of showering in pitch dark.

Dark showering may help relaxation, but it is not a substitute for medical sleep interventions. But there are safe, moderated versions that you can try if you are curious, but consult professionals for chronic sleep issues.

Disclaimer: This content, including advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.