Who does not like a warm shower after an overly exhausting day? The stress washes away as the warm water cascades down your neck and back. The smell of your favourite body wash somehow settles the mind. Now, add flipping the switch to the mix.
Our brains are nearly fried with the amount of stimulation it gets. So, it is important that it gets the
right amount of relaxation it requires. For this, experts have suggested a new concept known as ‘dark showering’. In fact, in recent times, many consider dark showering to be a game-changer when it comes to sleep.
Here is all you need to know about the dark showering.
What exactly is dark showering?
Dark showering is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of showering in a
brightly lit bathroom, dim or turn off the lights and jump in the shower for a peaceful time.
This will change the condition of your mind from being hyper-aware to a stage of rest. In simple terms, showering in the dark, especially in the evening helps to calm the body and mind. It is the time when distractions like lights, phones and excess sounds are taken away from the surroundings.
“Unlike [an early] morning shower, which is typically bright, energising, and focused on cleansing and awakening the body, a dark shower is a ritual for the nervous system,” Nidhi Pandya, a NAMA-certified advanced ayurvedic practitioner, told Real Simple. “By dimming or turning off the lights, you create a sensory cocoon that signals the body to unwind.”
When there is little or no light in the bathroom, the body’s stress response, which in turn supports the natural circadian transitions from day to night.
What are the benefits of dark showering?
Dark showering has become a rage on social media platforms with proponents singing its praise.
Firstly, experts and netizens note that dark showering helps reduce stress due to a lack of stimulation. This helps the nervous system to recover from racing thoughts and constant thinking. As one TikToker raved, “It is one of the most healing experiences I’ve ever had. I know showering in the dark sounds scary and unsafe, but trust me, you cannot bash it until you’ve tried it. I just had an out-of-body healing experience. I try it and, while I don’t feel like I’ve ascended, I definitely do feel the type of calm you might experience post spa treatment or meditation. It’s undeniably cosy and comforting.”
Secondly, it improves sleep. There are lots of people who struggle to sleep and have to look for ways and aids to do so. Dark showering can be helpful in improving the quality of sleep for people, as it eases the mind and racing thoughts. When the body’s nervous system is recovering its relaxes the brain as well.
According to Michael J Breus, known around the world as The Sleep Doctor, warm showers taken about 90 minutes before bed are well-documented to help create the artificial rise of core body temperature and then a precipitous fall of core body temperature to help melatonin production. “A dark shower further enhances this benefit by creating a less stimulating environment.”
According to an India Today report, light disrupts the sleep-wake cycle, which further disturbs mood and cognitive performance. However, showering in the dark before bedtime helps melatonin levels to rise naturally, making it easier to transition to sleep.
Dark showering also increases mindfulness as there are fewer distractions. The sound of the water, the sensation of water hitting the skin, and even the rhythm of your breaths are easily noticeable. Being more aware of the right things not just slows down your mind but helps to focus on the important things.
What should you keep in mind while dark showering?
If you are convinced of taking showers in dim or no lights, you should keep these pointers in mind.
Firstly, pick your choice of light. You can opt for no light, but this can be a little tricky. So, initially, opt for warm-toned lights, red light, or even a soft amber, as these have minimal effect on melatonin secretion. Avoid blue or white light as it wakes up the brain and rewires it into working or active mode.
Always opt for warm water showers in the evening, as it helps to reinforce the brain’s natural readiness for sleep. Meanwhile, pay close attention to the sensation while taking a shower, as it increases mindfulness.
Be careful not to use phones during the bathing ritual, as the blue screen tends to break the mind’s relaxation process and makes it hyper-aware. Experts state that it is important to remain consistent in this ritual.
Practising the ritual three to four times in a week is the key to it working and showing results. Remaining consistent will signal to the brain that it is a winding-down ritual.
With inputs from agencies
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