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Irish couple got 'the chuckles' in video for daughter overseas. It's pure laughter therapy.

They couldn't keep it together in their baby shower message, even on their final attempt.

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Representative photo credit: Canva

Sometimes you just can't keep it together.

Have you ever gotten the giggles at the most inopportune time, like when you're trying to do or say something serious? We've seen it happen to actors filming comedic scenes, news anchors during broadcasts, singers in church services, kids in spelling bees, and more. When the giggle bug bites, it bites hard, and keeping it together can sometimes feel like a superhuman feat.

That's what happened to a woman's parents in Ireland when they tried to make a heartfelt video greeting for her baby shower. The woman, Orla, was an expectant mother in Australia and her parents were creating a selfie video of love and encouragement as she got ready to welcome her little one. The problem was, neither of them could keep it together for longer than a few seconds at a time. And the best part is, it wasn't even their first try.

Her father said they'd spent 15 or 20 minutes trying to make the video and this was their final attempt. They weren't used to seeing themselves on video and it proved to be too funny to handle. But the best part is how the mom would say something heartfelt, like, "You're going to be wonderful parents," and then they'd both burst out laughing.

Watch:

People cannot get enough of their chuckles.

"Literally the best 2 min on the internet ever 😂😂😂. I love them so much. I’m so jealous of your baby for having the best grandparents on the planet. ❤️"

"And this is our final attempt that killed me. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣"

"It's the sincerely at the end for me. 😂"

"I don’t know how many time i have watched it today 😂😂. Maybe twenty 🤣🤣. Such lovely parents you have 😅😍."

"😂😂😂 love their laughter! You need to save this to show that baby some day!"

"If I had a video of my parents carrying on like this, I would cherish it forever!!"

Videos like this truly feel like laughter therapy, which is a legitimate thing. In fact, laughter therapy has been used by medical professionals in some form or another for centuries. According to the MayoClinic, laughter has the following short-term and long-term therapeutic benefits for both your mental and physical health:

In the short-term, laughter can:

  • Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
  • Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.
  • Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, both of which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

Long-term, laughter may:

  • Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.
  • Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.
  • Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.
  • Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your stress, depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier. It can also improve your self-esteem.
So there you go. Viral videos that make you laugh aren't just a mindless time waster after all. Here's to loving parents, raucous chuckles, shared joy and that lucky baby of Orla's who has utterly delightful grandparents over in Ireland.
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People from around the globe share 15 signs that someone is obviously an American

"An Italian told me that Americans walk confidently in the wrong direction."

tourists, american tourists, us tourists, vacation, american style
via Tarnie/Flickr, Paul Duncan/Flickr, tAlex Bikes/Flickr

Americans on vacation.

One of the fun things about traveling to different countries is that you not only get to learn about other cultures, but you also learn some things about your own. Americans who travel abroad often learn that people around the world appreciate them for being open, friendly, and good at spreading hope and optimism.

On the other hand, people in other countries can often tell when an American is coming from a mile away because they speak loudly, whether indoors or outdoors. Americans also have a very peculiar body language and are known to lean on things when they have to stand for an extended period.


A Reddit user posed a question in the AskReddit subforum to learn more about how Americans stand out abroad: What's an "obvious" sign that someone is American? The post received more than 35,000 responses, with an overwhelming number of commenters noting that Americans are all smiles and love to make small talk, something most people appreciate.

According to Redditors, here are 15 "obvious" signs that someone is American:

1. They have a unique confidence

"An Italian told me that Americans walk confidently in the wrong direction."

"Been taught to walk fast, and look worried.. People think you know what you're doing."

2. They're friendly

"I worked as a cashier in a tourist place in Paris, I always recognised Americans because they were kinda friendly to me and they always left tips."

"I guess there are worse things than friendly and generous."


3. Time = distance

"If someone asks how far away something is, an American will tell how you long it takes to get there as opposed to a physical distance."

"It actually pisses off some Americans to give a distance in miles, unless they're calculating gas mileage. In some places, you have to give with and without traffic options. I think it's more valuable info in time than in distance."

4. Grinning at strangers

"The gentle grins you give to strangers if you make eye contact with them as you pass by, at least in the Midwest. was not well received in Germany."

"I dated a European man here in the US. When we walked together, every time I made eye contact with someone on our path I would smile at them, and they would always smile back. Boyfriend was so confused at all these strangers smiling at me. Kept asking if I knew all these people. It was hilarious."


5. They like personal space

"How much personal space they give themselves. Americans like at LEAST an arm's length."

"We're conditioned to fill spaces evenly. I noticed when i worked delivery, spending lots of quality time on elevators that for every new person that enters, everybody shuffles to even things out. Similar thing plays out in social gatherings and bars. Not sure if that's universal or not, but I find it interesting. I think the size of our personal bubbles is because our spaces are generally much larger because we've got the space (heh) to build bigger buildings, sidewalks, roads etc. Might also explain why we're louder. Used to filling larger spaces with volume."

Body language expert Joe Navarro says that among Americans, the social zone for acquaintances and casual interactions is four to 12 feet, while family and close friends stand 1.5 to four feet apart. The intimate zone, for those closest to us, ranges from the skin to about 18 inches.


6. They lean

"According to the CIA, when training to be a spy, you have to unlearn how to lean. Americans tend to lean on things when standing still."

All of this is true, according to Jonna Mendez, the former chief of disguise at the CIA, who has shared some of her tips and tricks for making Americans seem more European. "So we would de-Americanize you," Mendez told NPR. "They think that we are slouchy, a little sloppy. And they think that they can almost see that in our demeanor on the street because they stand up straight. They don't lean on things."


7. They don't have an indoor voice

"I've lived in America for 25 years, and it still irritates me that instead of lowering their voices in restaurants so everyone can hear, Americans just scream over each other and make their restaurants as loud as clubs."

"For some reason, my otherwise smart and wonderful American friends will speak in the same volume, diction, and speed regardless of any outside factor unless specifically asked."

8. Dessert for breakfast

"In my homestay in London, I was told that I was 'so American' for enjoying a piece of cake for breakfast (not frosted cake, but like a nuts and dried fruit spiced coffeecake kind of thing). Apparently, that's exclusively for like a 4 pm snack, and breakfast is more of a savory meal."

"A lot of American breakfast items in my mind are desserts (pancakes, muffins, waffles, etc.). It doesn't mean I won't eat them, but it's kinda weird to do so."

9. They wear their clothes differently

"A British man once told me he knew I was American because I was wearing a baseball cap backwards."

"An Italian told me they could tell I was American because I wore my sunglasses on the top of my head when I wasn't using them."


10. Exposed soles

"While visiting Turkey, I was told that I looked American because I was sitting with one leg across the other, and the bottom of my shoe was exposed. Apparently, it's rude idk."

"In a lot of places outside of the US, showing the bottom of your shoe is rude."

11. Tactical gear

"Tactical sunglasses."

"I'm in the US, and virtually anything marketed towards men has the word 'tactical' in front of it."

12. They love small talk

"I'm from California (though a smallish town), and we wave to neighbors on our road, even if we haven't met, and start conversations in the grocery line with people if the opportunity presents itself. Also, smiling and saying hello to someone you happen to walk by and make eye contact with is quite normal. We are a social species, it would be so weird not to be friendly, even to strangers, for me, and I'm not even that social of a person."

"What really gets me to it is not that Americans do small talk constantly, but the fact that they are so good and fast at it. I mean, I say 'yeah, it's hot,' and they reply with some interesting fact or make a connection to their hometown. I feel less of myself after this. They must have some small talk class in school or some sh*t."

13. They like to point

"I've always observed my US friends like to point at stuff while walking and say what it is…. We were out walking around Amsterdam recently and they were like 'hey look it's a smoke shop'…. 'Oh look a sex shop'…. 'Oh hey, it's a prostitute' …. 'Look at the canal'…. 'Wow it's another prostitute'….. 'another canal' etc etc. It was like watching Netflix with Audio Descriptions turned on."

"You know that little voice inside your head, your internal monologue? Americans seem to monologue their thoughts."


14. Optimism and enthusiasm

"Dunno in all context, but Americans in Europe stand out with their ceaseless optimism and enthusiasm."

"I'm reminded a lot of Ted Lasso. Everyone I know (all Americans) loves the show. I wonder what kind of European fan base it has."

"Americans are so positive and have such a thirst for life. It sickens me."

15. They eat while walking

"When I lived in Europe, people said only Americans eat while walking. I'd be eating a bagel or something on the way to work or class, and multiple people asked if I was American lol."

"Jay Leno said on Top Gear, I think it was, that Americans are also the only people who eat while driving. I don't do this, but I constantly see people who do, haha, especially in LA, where people spend a lot of time in their cars."

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People share their prized possessions from the '70s and '80s that they'll never throw away

"The mushroom pottery my mom made around 1980. Mushrooms were very trendy then…Now it all just reminds me of her."

vintage items, 70s, 80s, 70s kitchenware, 80s kitchenware, nostalgia, millennials, gen x
Photo credit: Canva

Imagine getting rid of a well built item from this era, only to buy the flimsy version of it today on Amazon.

Vintage items have really surged in popularity. Largely driven by Gen Zers and Millennials, shoppers are seeking things that aren’t mass-produced, don’t wreak havoc on the environment or cost an arm and a leg, and, last but not least, harken back to a “simpler” time.

But for some, these treasures of a bygone era are gleaned from hours of secondhand shopping. They've been held onto, preserved, and used year after year. Quite the novel concept in today’s world.

Recently, people on Reddit were asked to share items from the ‘70s and ‘80s they still own, and the answers reflected not only nostalgia, but practicality. Sure, there were plenty of one-of-a-kind sentimental items made by hand and with love, but by and large, most spoke of gadgets, clothes, and other items (and even relationships) built to last.

Here are some of our faves. Get ready to be thrust down memory lane!

1 “I still have, and use, my vinyl records I bought in the 70s.”

“Hear hear. We have our own too. Plus I'm not letting go of my radio.”

2. “1985 Honda 650 Nighthawk.”

3. “The mushroom design pottery my mom made around 1980. Mushrooms were very trendy then, and she was very crafty. Now it all just reminds me of her.”

“My Mom made celery serving dishes. Awkward shape but I cannot bring myself to give them up.”

4. “I’ve got my “70’s hot rollers! Still working great.”

“Sadly, my prize possession, a blow dryer from 1975, up and died on me last year in a puff of smoke. Broke my heart. I thought it would live forever.”

“Those blow dryers of that era usually had asbestos in them, and we're blowing out tiny particles of asbestos right into your face.”

5. “My 1981 Rolling Stones concert t-shirt and my mom’s McGovern 1972 t-shirt.”

“I’ll have a 1982 Queen tour t-shirt and program from the concert in Milton Keynes..I think it may have shrunk as it is tighter now 😀”

6. “A Pet Rock that I named Rocco - housebroken and well behaved.”

7. “We have my mother's cast-iron skillet.”

8. “The best knife I own was my grandmother's who owned a restaurant. It can slice tomatoes paper-thin…Rarely needs sharpening.”

9. “While I was in college, a pretty young co-ed was selling multi-piece Thermo-Core cookware sets on some monthly payment plan, so it seemed affordable to soon-to-be college grads. I was clearly not thinking with my brain, and I bought a 9-piece set. Almost 50 years later, I'm still using those pots and used one tonight to make dinner.”

10. “Basically my entire kitchen is 70s or older because everything simply works and lasts with very basic maintenance…rarely does anything need replacing if you care for your things.”

11. “My wife of 59 years, I married up.”

“My husband! Married 30 years in March 💜

“My husband and I were married in 1987, dating since 1982, friends since HS, and I knew him as my pesky brother's pesky friend before that. Which was in the 1970s.”

12. “I still have a lot of tools from when I started working in the 1970's. Chisels, planes, squares, hammers, wrenches, etc.”

13. “My Bernina sewing machine. A 1974 graduation gift.”

@diykristin This is the best thrift find! Sewing machines are not made like this any more. Vintage Bernina sewing machines a lot like over sewing machines were made with 99% metal parts. Do you want to see more of my vintage sewing machines? #sewingmachine #vintagesewingmachine #vintagefashion #vintagefinds #thriftfinds #thrifted #thrift #sewing #sewingtiktok #sewingtutorial ♬ original sound - Kristin Henry

14. “I will keep my Cabbage Patch Kid until I die, lol. My grandma legit fought for that thing.”

15. “All my original Kenner Star Wars figures. Complete set of all, from the first trilogy. But well played with by me since 9years old. So basically worthless and priceless at the same time.”

16. “My off-brand Care Bear (my parents couldn't afford the real thing) and my Alf stuffed animal. I loved that show!”

17.” I'm pretty sure the Vaseline, Vicks, and some cough syrup in my bathroom is from 1978. First two still in use. The latter used very sparingly 🤐”

18. “A little trinket box that my grandfather made me in, like, 1982 or 1983.”

19. “My partner (now in his late sixties) still has clothes he bought in the seventies. Love the heavy duty quality Levi jeans, jackets and sweaters. He looked after his things bc he didn't have much growing up. It's nice to see those old tags that say ‘Made in Canada.’”

- YouTube www.youtube.com

20. “I'm 63 and still have the name bracelet the hospital put on me when I was born.”

21. “I have, and am looking at right now, a Nepalese Temple Bell. My brother brought it back from a trip he took to India and Nepal in 1970. It is beautiful to look at and the sound of its ring is a sweet striking sound followed by a sustained ring. You can rub a dowel around the rim of it while it is ringing and it will sing just like a Buddhist singing bowl. It is a treasure.”

22. “Books, so many books.I have given a lot away over the years. but I've kept a lot of the classics - Charlotte's Web, Lord of the Flies, 1984, The Diary of Anne Frank. I still have my original copy of LOTR that I got in high school in the 70s, along with the Hitchhikers series.”

23. “My mom bought some high end sheets in the 70's on a ski trip in Colorado. I still use the top sheet to this day. It is smooth, comfortable and cool to the touch. When she sees it she reminds me it was from that trip, like I've forgotten the other 100 times she told me... ;)”

24. “My ‘72 Triumph Spitfire. I bought it used as a 1976 high school graduation present to myself and still have it. It’s still a hoot to drive, too.”

25. “I have my original black light and my mood ring.”

- YouTube www.youtube.com

26. “A cassette tape I stole from my sister in 1984. I used to send pics to her when I'd run across it every couple years as a running gag. It currently sits in a display case with a brass tag saying ‘She'll Never Get It Back.’”

27. “From the 70's, I still have a dress I wore on the 1st day of school and from the 80's, I have my jean jacket. Not only did I wear the heck out of it, my daughters did too! Which makes it even more sentimental now!!”

28. “I have a sheet of uncut dollar bills from the 70’s!"

29. “I have a boy's axe that was bought new for my stepdad in the mid-late 70s. Was handed down to me in the early 2000’s and it’s currently in use by my daughters. Obviously many handles later, plenty of trips across a wet stone, and more boiled linseed oil than I’d ever care to apply again; it’s still in service after at least 40 solid years splitting wood.”

30. “I still have a lot of my GLORIOUS heavy metal dresses from the 80’s. I’m talking lace-up from the navel mini dresses, ‘Lip Service’ brand (black, of course) Jeans, leather dresses and bustiers that all still fit. That stuff is great for theme parties!

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3 simple words that helped Robert Frost stay resilient through a lifetime of anxiety and depression

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life."

robert frost, poet robert frost, robert frost poem, robert frost poems, writer robert frost
Images via Wikipedia

American poet Robert Frost as a young man in 1910 and again in 1949.

Poet Robert Frost created inspiring poems that are beloved around the world. Frost was known for his simple yet deep style of poetry, and, although he didn't publish his first book until he was 40, he went on to earn four Pulitzer Prizes.

He created a body of work that continues to touch people. Yet, like many great artists, Frost struggled with his mental health throughout his life. (Frost was born in 1874 and died in 1963.) William & Mary English Professor and Frost biographer Henry Hart found that many of Frost's relatives struggled with schizophrenia as well as depression.

"Throughout his life, he struggled to fit in. His education was irregular, routinely disrupted when Frost dropped out after suffering attacks of anxiety and depression that expressed themselves in various physical ailments," notes the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Frost experienced many hardships during his life, beginning at a young age. His father William Prescott Frost, Jr., died when he was just 11 years old. His sister Jeanie would later suffer from mental illness, and died in a mental hospital.

Frost would go on to marry his high school girlfriend, Elinor White, in 1895. The couple had six children, a blessing that came with loads of tragedy.

"Four of Frost’s six children died before he did, including Carol, the son who committed suicide. Frost’s daughter Irma suffered mental problems that required hospitalization, and Elinor battled anxiety, too. She died of heart failure in 1938," according to the NEH. "Frost’s own bouts of depression brought physical and mental anguish. 'Cast your eye back over my family luck, and perhaps you will wonder if I haven’t had pretty near enough,' he lamented at one point."

- YouTube www.youtube.com

His wife Elinor was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1937, and died in 1938 from heart disease. "She had been the unspoken half of everything I ever wrote," Frost said. He would go on to live 26 more years without her.

Through these challenges, Frost developed resilience and perseverance. One of his most famous quotes describes his advice on how he pushed through:

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."

The quote is reported to come from a September 1954 interview with journalist Ray Josephs for This Week Magazine. During the interview, Josephs asks Frost, "In all your years and all your travels, what do you think is the most important thing you’ve learned about life?"

- YouTube www.youtube.com

From there, Frost shared his wise insights.

"He paused a moment, then with the twinkle sparkling under those brambly eyebrows he replied: 'In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life. It goes on. In all the confusions of today, with all our troubles . . . with politicians and people slinging the word fear around, all of us become discouraged . . . tempted to say this is the end, the finish. But life — it goes on. It always has. It always will. Don’t forget that.'"

Frost died at age 88 in 1963 and was buried in Bennington, Vermont, next to his wife Elinor. Honest about life's struggles to the end, Frost's gravestone reads: "I had a lover's quarrel with the world."

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Resurfaced interview shows Mister Rogers beautifully reflecting on how he wanted to be remembered

Mission accomplished.

Mister Rogers, Fred Rogers, PBS, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Make-Believe Neighborhood, children, learning
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Henrietta Pussycat, Fred Rogers, X the Owl

It's not especially unique to state how extraordinarily lovely and special Fred Rogers was. He was a gentle, thoughtful man who seemed to want to make the world a little bit better every day. And it wasn't just the years on his PBS show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood or the magical make-believe lands he built for kids (and quite frankly) their parents. He worked extensively to study the minds of children so he could help them feel heard, all while simultaneously advocating for them in educational spaces.

In addition to being a beloved TV figure, he was a champion for entire families and he put his expertise to good use. A recent interview clip from the Television Academy making the rounds proves that he was not only unbelievably kind, but that his humility seemed to know no bounds.

In the clip, Rogers is asked how he wants to be remembered.

At first pensive, Rogers starts by sharing a story about another famous celebrity (whose name he omitted), who had asked, "Do you think I'll be remembered?" Rogers thoughtfully responds with, "I'm sorry that he had such misgivings about that, you know?"

As for himself, the legacy he wanted was simple: "I'd just like to be remembered for being a compassionate human being. Who happened to be fortunate enough to be born at a time that there was this fabulous thing called television that could allow me to use all the talents that I'd been given."

The video has so far garnered over 2,000 lovely comments. One person writes, "Mere seconds into this video and I'm already crying. I just adored him. I didn't have other kids to interact with until I went to kindergarten, so I'm pretty sure he was my first friend."

Another shares quite simply, "A good man. A good human. That's how I'll always remember Mr. Rogers."

Another, commenting on the hardships of today's world, had a positive spin—perhaps not unlike how Mister Rogers himself would have framed it: "He would be so disappointed in the world right now... but he'd still show up, slip into his house shoes, a comfortable cardigan, and walk us through emotionally processing the negative spaces, finding the helpers, and reminding us that we're all in this together. I miss him."

The clip was a part of a longer interview wherein Rogers discusses his childhood, his family, and how the "land of make-believe" came about on his popular PBS show, among many other fascinating revelations.

Fred Rogers shares stories about his life. www.youtube.com, FOUNDATION Interviews, Television Academy

He shares the importance of inspiring others by actually caring about what you're teaching: "When I was a senior in high school, a friend of mine taught me to fly in a little Piper Cub. And he was so enthusiastic about flying, I know that's why I wanted to learn. The best teacher in the world is someone who loves what he or she does. And just loves it in front of you."

He explains how he carried this idea over to Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, saying, "And that's what I like to do with the neighborhood. I love to have guests and just create a whole smorgasbord of ways for the children to choose. I mean, some child might choose painting. Some child might choose playing the cello. But there are so many ways of saying who we are and how we feel. Ways that don't hurt anybody. And it seems to me that that's a great gift. Well, television can do that all the time!"

Fred Rogers discusses "The Neighborhood of Make-Believe" in an interview with the Television Academy. www.youtube.com, FOUNDATION Interviews, Television Academy

He digs a bit deeper into the majestic make-believe land and what he drew from to create it: "King Friday thought it would be nice to have a wife. And so Queen Sarah came along. Her name was Sarah Saturday. And it gave us a chance to have a wedding on the neighborhood. It gave us a chance to have the birth of a child. To deal with that. And there was Harriet Elizabeth Cow. And Sarah, of course, was the first name of my wife. My wife's name was Sarah Joanne. So of course she would be the queen."

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This easy melatonin-boosting shower trick may be the answer to getting deep sleep

A better night's sleep starts in the shower.

dark showering, dark shower, better sleep, nighttime routine, how to fall asleep faster
Photo credit: Canva

Dark showering may be a helpful nighttime routine for better sleep.

Showering at night, rather than in the morning, has been shown to improve sleep quality. (Plus, showering at night can say a lot about your personality.)

Hopping in the shower at the end of the day can help prep your body for sleep. But one way to enhance your nighttime shower experience for even better sleep is to cut the lights and try "dark showering."

Showering in the dark is a recent health trend on TikTok that many people claim helps them fall asleep faster and wake up feeling more rested. But are those claims really true? Here's what you need to know.

@emgillyy

As a mom who’s husband works 24/7 & no family close I’m always finding ways to reset my nervous system so I can show up & be the best mom I can be. #sahmlife #sahmsoftiktok #motherhoodunfiltered #momhacks #motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #momlife


What is dark showering?

"Dark showering is when you take a shower in little to no light, which can be done by turning off overhead lights, using a dim lamp, candlelight, or just showering adjacent to darkness," Dr. Daniella Marchetti, a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral sleep medicine at Rise Science, tells Upworthy. "The idea behind the trend is to reduce bright light exposure in the evening while also pairing a calming, predictable routine with conditions that are more aligned with the body's natural wind-down process before bed."

And the effects of dark showering may indeed lead to better sleep. There are three mechanisms at play:

Light exposure

By keeping the lights on during your nighttime shower, you may be losing out on some big melatonin benefits.

"Bright light in the evening, especially overhead or blue spectrum light, can suppress melatonin release and delay sleep onset," Marchetti explains. "Showering in low light supports melatonin release, which may help the brain stay in 'night mode' instead of shifting into alertness through bright light exposure."

Temperature regulation

Showering at night can also prep the body to start cooling down—a natural part of the sleep process.

"A warm shower can promote sleep by triggering a drop in core body temperature afterward, which is a natural signal the body uses for sleep onset," Marchetti adds. "This effect is modest but well supported in the research."

Nervous system cues

A dim, quiet shower can help the nervous system downshift just in time for sleep.

"It acts as a consistent wind-down activity that signals safety and predictability," Marchetti says. "That can reduce cognitive and physiological arousal, which are two major barriers to falling asleep."

dark showering, dark shower, shower in the dark, showering in the dark, showering at night A woman takes a dark shower.Photo credit: Canva

Dark showering may also have mental health and mood benefits.

"For some people, dark showering can feel grounding or soothing, especially at the end of an overstimulating day. It reduces the amount of sensory input we get by having less light and fewer visual cues," Marchetti explains. "Getting enough sensory rest has the potential to lower mental load and quiet racing thoughts, which often interfere with sleep. Dark showering can also encourage mindfulness, which can be helpful for people who struggle with nighttime rumination or anxiety."

With promising outcomes, dark showering may be a helpful trick for some people seeking better sleep. But Marchetti adds that it may not work for everyone, especially those with chronic insomnia.

"If someone is struggling with ongoing insomnia, the solution usually isn't adding another ritual," she says. "It may be a question of addressing sleep timing, arousal, and the relationship they've developed with sleep. Sometimes adding more 'sleep rules' can increase the pressure we have to get 'good sleep' and backfires. Doing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) with a trusted sleep provider can help you address all those areas, as CBT-I is the gold standard treatment for insomnia (yes, even above sleeping pills!)."

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