{"id":44911,"date":"2026-04-15T12:22:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T12:22:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=44911"},"modified":"2026-04-15T12:22:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T12:22:27","slug":"dark-showering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/dark-showering\/","title":{"rendered":"Can ‘Dark Showering’ Actually Reduce Stress and Improve Sleep?"},"content":{"rendered":"

TikTok convinces us to do a lot in the pursuit of quality rest\u2014like putting magnesium in bedtime mocktails, taping our mouths shut, and dozing off to white (or brown, or pink) noise. The latest advice going around on SleepTok? Taking a \u201cdark shower,\u201d<\/a> which is said to promise less stress and deeper sleep<\/a> simply by flipping off the bathroom lights during your nightly cleanse. It sounds almost too easy, which raises the obvious question: Is this a legitimate wellness hack, or just mood lighting and vibes?<\/p>\n\n\n

We spoke to a sleep expert to see if the trend actually works and is worth trying out for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n

Is Dark Showering Legit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"dark<\/figure>\n\n\n

According to Kelly Murray<\/a>, a certified pediatric and adult sleep consultant, a dark shower could very well improve your nightly wind-down routine. A few points make it worthy of trying out before bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n

\u201cThe warm water triggers a temporary rise in core body temperature. When you step out into cooler air, that drop mimics what your body naturally does as it prepares for sleep, making it easier to fall asleep faster,\u201d Murray explains. Then, there\u2019s the signal from the low (or lack of) lighting. \u201cLow or no light signals safety, activates the parasympathetic nervous system [aka the rest-and-digest phase], and begins the body’s natural descent into rest<\/a>,\u201d she continues.<\/p>\n\n\n

On the other hand, she says that bright and blue-toned light raises cortisol<\/a> (a neurotransmitter associated with both alertness and stress) and suppresses melatonin (aka the sleep hormone). You likely already know that it\u2019s wise to dim the lights leading up to bedtime, as it\u2019s attributed to these same reasons. Hence why it\u2019s no surprise that a dark shower gets the green light from experts to reduce stress and improve sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n

How to Improve the Dark Showering Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n

Sure, this TikTok hack could be as simple as it sounds: simply showering in the dark. However, there are a few ways to upgrade the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n

Murray advises:<\/p>\n\n\n\n