The Popular Shower Trend In 2026 That Feels Luxurious (& Promotes Better Health)

Most of us don't need scientists to tell us that baths and showers are good for us. Not only do they have the obvious benefit of cleanliness, but they're also one of the easiest ways to unwind at the end of the day. One popular showering trend that's all over TikTok right now has people taking that idea a step further, turning off harsh overhead lights and creating dark showering experiences that feel less like a hygiene routine and more like a mental-health moment.

For many, the question isn't whether dark showering can make you feel better, but whether it's actually good for you. It turns out showering in the dark really does promote better sleep and overall wellness. According to licensed psychologist and behavioral sleep medicine specialist Dr. Julie Kolzet, PhD., this dark showering trend is backed by science. As Dr. Kolzet explains, "While it might sound unconventional, the practice is rooted in simple physiological principles that support the body's natural sleep rhythms. It does this by creating a calming environment that counteracts the daily stimulation we face."

If you've seen people on TikTok and other social media sites talking about dark showers, also known as sensory showers, you probably noticed that they often focus on turning a bathroom into a wellness retreat. The combination of a warm shower with low lighting, scented candles, and relaxing music is a luxurious experience that can boost mood-lifting endorphins and help lower stress hormones like cortisol.

With the combination of warm water and low or no lights, dark showers stack benefits, such as endorphin release and decreased cortisol levels. Perhaps even more importantly, though, when you're showering in the dark in the evening, it can activate your parasympathetic nervous system, the branch associated with rest and recovery that makes it easier to fall asleep. In contrast, certain types of lights stimulate the brain's response systems, making it even harder to rest.

Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist and brain imaging specialist with Amen Clinics, tells us exactly why this moody bathroom lighting tip works. "Light powerfully influences the brain," he explained to Fox News Digital. "This is done through the retinohypothalamic tract, a pathway that connects your eyes to the brain's master body clock, called the suprachiasmatic nucleus." When you shower under bright lights at night, instead of enjoying a deeply grounding experience that people all over the internet are responding to, you're actually telling your body to wake up and start the day.

For many who have been showering in darkness every night, it quickly becomes a concrete signal to the brain that it's time to end the day. However, there are some who warn that this isn't a cure-all— and that ultra-dim lighting is a safety hazard and bathroom mistake to avoid at all costs. When it comes to dark showers, a little bit of illumination won't reduce the benefits, but it could prevent bathroom accidents.