Individuals who suffer from insomnia will try nearly anything to get some shut-eye. How about taking a shower in the dark? Read on for more information about the latest sleep trend known as "dark showering."

Understanding the Concept of Dark Showering

Dark showering is a specific sleep strategy that involves taking a shower with the lights either dimmed or switched off completely. This nighttime showering routine is the antithesis of an energizing morning shower designed to wake the body and mind. Instead, a dark shower focuses on reducing exposure to the light and preparing the body for sleep by regulating body temperatures and promoting a deeper sense of relaxation.

Sleep experts believe that dark showering can help prepare both the brain and the body for sleep, sending the signal that it is time to rest. Proponents of the trend say that dark showering helps you to fall asleep faster and remain asleep.

The body typically needs to experience a slight drop in core body temperature in order for the brain to initiate the sleep cycle. Taking a warm shower works to raise the body temperature while under the water before dropping it when exiting the shower. This drop in temperature replicates the natural process that the body goes through when preparing to sleep. This is why a warm shower has long been thought to help the brain transition to a restful state.

Showering in the dark amplifies these benefits by limiting exposure to light. Scientists have long known that reducing light exposure in the evening hours helps to support a person's biological circadian rhythms, signaling that it is time to prepare for sleep.

Dark showering supports the release of melatonin. This hormone created in the brain is responsible for telling the body when it is time to be awake and alert and when it is time to wind down. Lower light levels have been shown to increase the body's production of melatonin, promoting a natural transition to a sleepy state.

Mental Health Benefits of Dark Showering

Researchers believe that dark showering may also provide mental health benefits. Showering in a peaceful state without the stress of the day ahead of you will naturally relax the mind before going to bed. The limited light and soothing water work to send the nervous system into the parasympathetic state, promoting relaxation that encourages better sleep as well as an improved state of mind.

In addition, some sleep coaches say that dark showering is also an act of mindfulness. By immersing yourself in the dark, you tune out the other distractions that may interfere with the goal of quieting the mind.

Dark showering is often compared to being in a state of meditation. It is easy to see how limiting light exposure, eliminating distractions, and creating a soothing environment can clear the mind and boost mental health.

While there are no drawbacks to trying the dark showering trend, sleep experts caution that it is not a quick fix for serious sleeping issues. For instance, an individual who suffers from sleep apnea will not be cured with a dark shower. Individuals with chronic sleep issues or medical conditions that make sleep elusive need more than just a dark shower to end the day.

In addition, you should not try this approach thinking that it will solve all of your sleep problems. The goal is to look at dark showering as part of an overall wellness journey, rather than a chore that must be completed before climbing into bed each night. Rushing through the process will almost certainly negate all of the benefits, particularly as they relate to stress reduction and mindfulness.

Other Proven Sleep Strategies

Dark showering is simply an extension of other proven sleep strategies. For instance, keeping a consistent sleep and awake cycle goes a long way in promoting a well-regulated circadian rhythm. While it is tempting to sleep in on the weekends, it is better for your circadian rhythm to try to go to sleep and wake up within the same hour every day of the week.

Avoiding caffeine at least five hours before trying to fall asleep is also solid advice. Other good strategies for prime sleep include avoiding heavy meals about three hours before bedtime. A light snack that keeps you from getting hungry in the middle of the night without causing potential discomfort is the best choice.

The quality of the sleeping environment is another factor to consider. Most people sleep best in dark and cool rooms. A white noise machine is also a good tool to keep in your arsenal for a restful night.

Although dark showering is not a magic bullet for all sleep issues, many people have taken to social media to promote its place within a more comprehensive calming nighttime routine alongside other proven sleep strategies.

Looking for stories that inform and engage? From breaking headlines to fresh perspectives, WaveNewsToday has more to explore. Ride the wave of what’s next.