Dark Showering: Is This the Very Best Way to Wash?
February 04, 2026 | Source: The Guardian
Name: Dark showering.
Age: The name is new; the idea is not.
Appearance: Barely visible.
What is it? It’s exactly what it sounds like.
That’s what I was afraid of. Showering with the light off.
That’s it? What’s happened, has the bulb gone again? No, it’s showering with the light off on purpose.
Why would you do that? It’s a way to remove distraction, calm your nervous system and practise mindfulness.
And get clean. Yes, you also get clean. But this is more about finding those small, intentional moments that release you from the cares of your day.
It sounds like an accident waiting to happen. You don’t have to shower in complete darkness – just in dim light, even by candlelight.
Would I be correct in assuming that this is another TikTok wellness trend? Actually dark showering – or more precisely dark bathing – is an established Ayurvedic practice, a pre-bedtime ritual that cleanses not just the body, but the mind. It is big on TikTok, though.