"No specific studies have evaluated showering in the dark as a formal sleep intervention, and it is not included in clinical insomnia guidelines. What we do know is that two factors on their own—reducing light exposure at night and taking a warm shower before bed—can support rest. But the combination, as such, is more a social media reinterpretation than an intervention with solid scientific backing."
"Taking these showers with low lighting may offer one benefit: it allows people to focus on other sensory cues, such as the smell of the soap or the sound of the water. It can be a way of keeping attention in the present moment, avoiding daily worries and rumination, which could in turn help the body relax and improve sleep."
Social media promotes unverified health hacks, including the viral trend of taking dark showers to improve sleep. While one-third of U.S. adults experience sleep issues, experts clarify that dark showers have no formal clinical studies supporting them as a sleep intervention. Warm showers and reduced light exposure independently benefit sleep, but their combination lacks solid scientific backing. However, dark showers may indirectly help by encouraging mindfulness through sensory focus, reducing rumination and promoting relaxation. Sleep experts recommend warm showers year-round, with particular benefits during hot months when temperature regulation aids sleep quality.
Read at english.elpais.com
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