TL;DR
Get beauty and skincare favorites delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A Glamour UK article has brought attention to dark showering: taking a shower with the lights off or dimmed as a way to make autumn mornings and evenings feel more relaxing. Experts quoted in the report say mindful attention and warm water may support relaxation, but the supplied source does not establish that dark showering itself improves sleep, mood or cortisol levels.
Glamour UK has reported on dark showering, a practice of showering with bathroom lights off or dimmed, as a way to make darker autumn mornings and evenings feel more relaxing. The article describes it as an inexpensive personal-care routine and relays expert suggestions that focusing on warm water, sounds and aromas may help some people unwind; it does not provide evidence that the practice treats mental-health problems or reliably improves sleep.
The practice is straightforward: switch off most or all lights while showering and limit other distractions, such as a phone or loud audio. The report frames this as a chance to pay closer attention to bodily sensations and the sound and warmth of the water. It suggests that people can adapt the level of darkness to the task: a small night light may be more practical for shaving or a longer, more involved shower.
Shalin Balasuriya, wellness expert and co-founder of Spa Ceylon, told Glamour UK that engaging several senses can create a moment of self-care and leave someone feeling refreshed and grounded. He also connected mindful bathing to Ayurveda. Those are attributed descriptions and interpretations, rather than evidence in the article that dark showering produces a specific health outcome.
The report includes a first-person account from Glamour writer Louisa, who said she tried morning showers without the overhead light and found the experience immersive and calming. She described continuing the routine a few times a week during the darker season. Her experience is personal testimony; it cannot establish that the same effects will occur for other people or that the routine changes a body clock.
A Low-Cost Change to Daily Routines
The appeal is practical: dark showering needs no special equipment and can be tried at home, making it an accessible way to change the feel of a routine when daylight is limited. For some readers, a less brightly lit shower may feel gentler than immediately switching on overhead lights after waking, while a warm shower can form part of a calming evening routine.
But the distinction between a relaxing ritual and a proven intervention matters. The source presents expert views and one writer’s experience, not controlled research on dark showering. Readers should treat claims about mood, cortisol and sleep as possibilities or interpretations, not guaranteed effects. It is not a substitute for professional advice or care when someone is dealing with persistent sleep or mental-health difficulties.
Products Worth Considering
Blueair Blue Pure 511i Max Air Purifier
Hyperice Hypervolt 3 Percussion Massage Gun with Heated Head and Premium Carry Case
Oura Ring 4 Smart Ring – Silver – Size 8
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
How the Practice Is Described
The report situates dark showering within the seasonal shift to shorter days and darker mornings. Its description combines two elements: reduced light during the shower and focused attention on sensations such as water temperature, sound and scent. The routine may be used in the morning as a slower start or in the evening as part of winding down.
Glamour UK also distinguishes the proposed benefits of the setting from those of the shower itself. Warm water is described as the more scientifically supported sleep-related element, while dim light and mindful enjoyment may complement relaxation. Sleep-medicine specialist Dr Allie Hare is quoted as saying the experience can help some people wind down and switch off before bed. The supplied source ends partway through her explanation, so it does not give her full account or any further qualifications.
The article separately recommends getting natural daylight after a morning shower. Gary Brecka, a human biologist and founder of The Ultimate Human Wellness, says morning light helps regulate the body’s internal clock and supports alertness. That is an expert statement quoted by the report; the source does not establish that a dark shower is needed to gain those effects.
““By engaging multiple senses, you create a moment of self-care that leaves you refreshed and grounded.””
— Shalin Balasuriya, wellness expert and co-founder of Spa Ceylon, as quoted by Glamour UK
What the Evidence Does Not Establish
The supplied report does not cite a controlled study testing dark showering as a distinct practice, nor does it quantify effects on sleep, mood or cortisol. The source attributes relaxation claims to experts and reports one writer’s positive experience, but it does not show how common those outcomes are or how long they last.
It is also unclear from the material provided what Dr Hare said after the quoted passage about warm water and dim light. The report’s final sentence on her explanation is cut off. No details are supplied about the number of people who practise dark showering, or about evidence comparing a dark shower with an ordinary warm shower or another bedtime routine.
How Readers Can Approach It
The practice is presented as an optional routine, not a prescribed treatment. Anyone who tries it can use low light rather than complete darkness, keep a night light available and avoid tasks that require clear visibility. The article itself flags shaving and more involved showers as situations where a small light may be useful.
For morning routines, the report suggests seeking natural daylight after showering, such as on a short walk or commute. Whether dark showering helps an individual feel calmer or wind down remains personal. The source provides no announced research or clinical guidance due next; stronger claims would require evidence beyond the expert comments and personal account included in the article.
Key Questions
What is dark showering?
It means showering with the bathroom lights switched off or dimmed, often while limiting other distractions and focusing on sensations such as warm water and its sound.
Does dark showering improve sleep?
The report does not establish that dark showering itself improves sleep. Dr Allie Hare says dim light and mindful enjoyment may help some people relax before bed; the article identifies warm water as the better-supported sleep-related element.
Can it improve mood or lower cortisol?
Glamour UK relays suggestions that the practice may feel calming and discusses cortisol, but the supplied source provides no measured results or controlled study showing that dark showering improves mood or lowers cortisol.
Is it safe to shower in complete darkness?
The report does not offer a formal safety assessment. It suggests using a small night light for shaving or an involved shower. Keeping enough light to move safely and see potential obstacles is a practical precaution.
What does the report suggest after a morning shower?
It suggests getting natural daylight, for example by taking a short walk or starting a commute. The source presents daylight as a signal for the body clock, separately from the proposed effects of a dark shower.
Source: glamourmagazine.co.uk
