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It might be time to change your shower habits.
A wellness trend trending on social media is encouraging “dark showers.” This is exactly what it sounds like: a daily bathing ritual done at night or with the lights dimmed.
“I’m a psychiatrist – I’ll show you how to reduce anxiety in just 15 seconds.”
”Light has a powerful effect on the brain” Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist, brain imaging expert, and founder of the Amen Clinic in California, told Fox News Digital. This is done through the retinohypothalamic tract, a pathway that connects the eye to the brain’s master biological clock called the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
Bright and blue light tells the body to wake up by raising cortisol and lowering melatonin. But when the lights go out, “a safety signal is activated if the light is low or not at all; parasympathetic nervous systemThe body’s natural descent into rest and repair mode then begins. ”
Think of dim lighting as blocking your brain’s “threat radar.” That means it will help you relax after a long day. (St. Petersburg)
“Think of dim lighting as blocking your brain’s ‘threat radar,'” Amen says. “Reducing stimulation helps the logical part of the brain work again. For many people, that means feeling calmer, clearer and more grounded.”
“Reducing visual input reduces the sensory load on the brain,” Amen added. “That means there are fewer signals for the brain to process, so the parts of the brain that process fear and stress have less to react to.”
For those who want to give it a try, Amen suggests getting started. Dim the lights 60 to 90 minutes before bed or use soft amber or red light instead of overhead brightness.
When you’re in the shower, skip the screen and turn off the lights. simple comfort Like lavender and frankincense oil. cool room temperature (approximately 65-68°F), soft towels. There’s no need to make it long. 15 to 20 minutes is enough.
Blue light tells your body to wake up by raising cortisol and lowering melatonin. However, low light or no light signals safety and the body naturally begins to descend into rest and repair mode. (St. Petersburg)
“The brain thrives on predictability,” Amen says, explaining that nighttime routines help transition us from a state of alertness to a state of rest.
“Dark sensory rituals are more passive and physical. You’re not doing anything to calm your brain; you’re creating an environment where your brain can automatically downshift,” Amen says. Ideal for people who feel thatI’m too anxious to meditate. ”
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A dark shower can be especially soothing for people who suffer from anxiety, ADHD, and insomnia.
“They create external calm, which leads to internal regulation,” Amen said.
But if the darkness makes you uncomfortable, that’s okay. modify the routine.
For those who take showers in the morning, taking a cold shower can boost your energy and concentration. (St. Petersburg)
“For people with a history of trauma, depression, or dissociation, being alone in the dark may feel more vulnerable than calming,” Amen says. In such cases, soft lighting, soft music, and pleasant scents can make the space feel safer.
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As Amen says, this ritual gives your body and mind “a quiet place for the nervous system to recover.”
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If you want to change your daily routine but just need to keep it going in the morning, a cold shower may be a good idea.
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Cold showers stimulate the vagus nerve, which activates the part of the brain that reduces inflammation and calms the body after a long bath.
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“When used in the morning, the coolness energizes and can improve concentration. When used at night, it should be combined with subsequent warmth for a short time so as not to disturb sleep,” Amen said.
