It turns out that “dark showers” could be the secret to better sleep

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Sleep is an important need for humans to restore energy after a day of activity.

When you sleep, not only does the body rest, but also the body’s organs work more slowly so that they can function optimally again the next day.

However, many people suffer from sleep disorders, such as difficulty falling asleep or difficulty sleeping deeply.

To overcome this problem, there are several ways you can do it, from adapting your diet to making the atmosphere of the room more comfortable.

However, it is believed that there is a unique way to help you sleep better. This method is “dark bath” or dark shower.

What is a dark shower or dark shower?

As the name suggests, darkbathing is the activity of bathing in low-light conditions. Not completely dark, but with minimal light.

This soft light was created to calm the nervous system and help the body prepare for rest.

Unlike regular baths, which focus only on cleanliness, dark baths have the added function of being a form of relaxing therapy.

This sensation helps reduce stress levels and helps the mind become calmer.

When the surrounding light decreases, the body sends a natural signal to the brain to produce the hormone melatonin, a hormone that plays an important role in regulating the sleep cycle.

Apart from bathing with soft lighting, the sense of relaxation in the body will increase if you take a shower in the dark with hot water before going to bed in the evening.

Quoted from Alodokter, bathing at night has been shown to help someone fall asleep 10 minutes faster than usual.

Bathing in warm water about 90 minutes before going to bed at night can also improve blood circulation and lower body temperature.

Research from the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, led by Shahab Haghayegh, also shows that bathing in warm water with a temperature of 40-43 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes can improve the quality of sleep.

Bathing at this temperature, taken one to two hours before going to bed, has been shown to reduce writhing or rolling movements during sleep and promote longer, more restful sleep.

This happens because warm water helps open blood vessels so that blood flow becomes smoother.

After bathing, your body temperature will slowly decrease, telling your brain that sleep is near.

This process, in fact, can stabilize the circadian rhythm, the body’s biological clock that regulates sleep and wake cycles.

In various countries, dark bathing has been encountered and practiced by many people. In India, people often bathe at sunset accompanied only by faint natural light.

Meanwhile in Japan, the tradition of bathing at night in dimly lit wooden tubs has become part of their lifestyle to maintain tranquility.

For those of you who are curious to try it, while showering, simply dim the bathroom lights until you feel calming. You can also use candles in glass containers as a source of soft lighting.

However, make sure you don’t turn off all the lights, worry about slipping into the bathroom because you can’t see around the bathroom.

Use warm water and slowly enjoy the sensation of a dark shower. A dark shower can be a time of “light meditation” to calm the mind before going to bed.

The benefits of a dark bathroom or dark shower

Some of the benefits you can experience from this bathing practice include:

Reduces stress and muscle tension.
Improves the quality and duration of sleep.
Improve mood (mood).
It becomes a simple form of meditation.
Increase intimacy with your partner.

So, if you often have trouble sleeping or feel restless at night, you can try the practice of “bathing in the dark” as part of your nightly routine.

With soft lights and warm, soothing water, you can get good quality sleep, as well as change your diet and lifestyle.

Read also: Bathroom transformed into detention room

Read also: The benefits of a hot bath for a more relaxed body and mind

Read also: 15 rarely known benefits of morning shower

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