It would be an understatement to say that life has more stressors than in the past. Every day the modern condition asks us to do more with less. All the while, we're living in an age where we consume more information in a day than our ancestors would have in a year. It has an undeniable impact on our bodies and our brains.

Short of switching off and living off-the-grid, the solution is that we have to find moments to decompress. To actually give your nervous system a rest and your body a chance to breathe with intention. Or we'll find ourselves living up to our sombre moniker, the burnout generation.

In 2023, I stumbled across a reddit thread about showering in the dark. My partner had been doing it for years. If he'd had a stressful day, a pre-bedtime practice was always to wash away the day with the lights off. I thought it was odd, but a quick Google search proved it was a already popular ritual amongst those in the know.

"Darkness naturally signals the brain to slow down," said clinical psychologist, author and Glow Lab spokesperson Dr Rebecca Ray. She explains that when you dim the lights you create "a space that encourages your nervous system to shift from alert mode into rest-and-repair mode."

So, could showering in the dark be the key to de-stressing your day? An easy-to-incorporate daily practice that only requires the olfactory indulgence of a good body wash and the flick of a light switch. Below, Dr Ray explains the science behind dark showers and why every can benefit from them.

What exactly is a 'dark shower'?

A dark shower is about dimming the lights, eliminating visual noise, and turning your shower into a fully immersive, calming ritual. It’s one of the few times in the day where you can truly disconnect – no screens, no demands, just you, your thoughts.

This is especially important considering that 55 per cent of Aussies say they feel overwhelmed at least sometimes during a typical week, and 67 per cent say they struggle to fully switch off and relax, even when they’re at home.

What are the potential benefits of a dark shower over a regular one?

There’s science behind your dark shower: it reduces cortisol, helps regulate your nervous system, and builds a daily boundary between doing and being. In just a few minutes, this simple ritual invites you back to yourself – which is vital when 30 per cent of Australians say the shower is the only time when they’re alone. It creates a protected moment to calm, recharge, and reconnect.

What is it about the dark in this instance that is beneficial for wellbeing? Is it similar to something like a sensory deprivation tank?

While it’s not quite as extreme as a sensory deprivation tank, the benefits of a dark shower come from a similar principle: reducing external stimulation to help calm the mind and body.

Darkness naturally signals the brain to slow down. When you dim the lights and remove visual distractions, you create a space that encourages your nervous system to shift from alert mode into rest-and-repair mode.

Are there any people in particular that you think could benefit from this kind simple daily practice?

One of the best things about taking a dark shower is that it can benefit everyone. It’s a very simple, easy to do at home practice that can support, not replace, formal medical guidance and advice to anxiety or mental health difficulties.

Do you think a wellness ritual like this is more accessible than other beneficial wellness practices?

Without a doubt – it’s such an easy ritual to do at home. Just think about the scent, the light and time of day that you will get the most benefit. Glow Lab makes that luxury experience feel totally within reach, being super accessible to anyone.

Are there any elements you recommend adding to enhance the experience?

There are a few additions that can help elevate your dark shower ritual even further. A softly scented candle adds a warm, ambient glow without disrupting the calming darkness. You might also consider playing gentle ambient music - something soft and steady to meet a racing mind with a calming auditory focus, helping you stay present.

One of the most powerful elements is scent. For example, the fragrances in Glow Lab’s body washes which have been designed to support emotional reset and sensory presence.

When is this kind of ritual most beneficial? Is this a pre-bedtime practice or does it work for the morning too?

You can take a dark shower at any time of the day, so long as you are able to create the environment needed for full maximisation of the experience. That said, as part of your pre-bed routine is recommended, for the simple fact of embracing the relaxation and transferring it to the bedroom in order to truly harness the resulting relaxation effects that will support a good night's sleep.

What are your best tips for incorporating a dark shower into your routine?

Consider the dark shower is your daily nervous system reset – designed to calm the body, quiet the mind, and reconnect you to yourself. Before you dim the lights try to calm your environment. Remove visual clutter so you can turn away from stimulation and toward stillness. Remember to breathe with intention, start with three slow, deep breaths. This activates your body’s ‘relax’ response, gently slowing your heart rate and calming your mind. Then set the mood with the right scent. Citrus & bergamot can be uplifting and clear mental fog, whereas something like coconut & sandalwood can been grounding after a long day.