Why Your Best Ideas Come When You're Lathered Up

How to Harness The Power of Shower Thinking

Author

Girvin Liggans
May 06, 2024

Hey, fam 🫡

If you're anything like me, some of your best ideas come to you when you're standing under a stream of hot water, lathering up your hair and letting your mind wander.

It's like there's something magical about the shower that unlocks our creativity and allows us to see things from a fresh perspective.

But here's the thing: those shower thoughts aren't just random strokes of genius.

The Science of Shower Thinking:

So, what is it about the shower that makes it such a hotbed of creative thinking?

There's actually a scientific explanation for why we have our most brilliant breakthroughs when we're sudsing up.

According to cognitive scientists, there are a few key factors at play:

  1. Relaxation: When we're in the shower, we're in a relaxed state. The warm water, the soothing sound of the spray, and the lack of distractions all help to calm our minds and bodies.

    This relaxation is crucial for creativity, as it allows our brains to wander and make new connections without the pressure of focused attention.

  2. Dopamine: The act of showering also triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that's associated with pleasure, motivation, and learning.

    When we have a good idea or solve a problem, we get a little hit of dopamine, which reinforces the behavior and makes us more likely to seek out similar experiences in the future.

  3. Incubation: Another reason shower thoughts are so powerful is that they often come after a period of "incubation." This is when we step away from a problem or challenge and let our minds work on it in the background.

    By taking a break and doing something else (like showering), we give our brains the space and time they need to make new connections and come up with creative solutions.

  4. Sensory Stimulation: Finally, the sensory experience of showering itself may contribute to our creative thinking.

    The feel of the water on our skin, the smell of the soap, and the sound of the spray all provide a rich sensory environment that can stimulate our brains and help us see things from a new angle.

SKILL SPOTLIGHT
The Shower Thinking Toolkit:

So, how can you harness the power of shower thinking in your own life and work?

Here are a few tips:

  1. Make Time for Incubation: If you're stuck on a problem or feeling creatively blocked, don't try to force a solution.

    Instead, step away and do something else for a while. Take a walk, read a book, or yes, take a shower.

    Give your mind the space it needs to work on the problem in the background.

  2. Create a Relaxing Environment: You don't necessarily need to be in the shower to have a shower thought.

    Any environment that promotes relaxation and allows your mind to wander can be conducive to creative thinking. This could be a quiet corner of your office, a cozy coffee shop, or even a long walk in nature.

  3. Capture Your Ideas: When a great idea strikes, don't let it slip away. Keep a notebook or a note-taking app nearby, and jot down your thoughts as soon as they come to you.

    You can always expand on them later, but the key is to capture that initial spark of inspiration.

  4. Embrace the Weird: Shower thoughts are often a little weird, a little random, and a little out there. But that's what makes them so valuable.

    Don't censor yourself or try to force your ideas into a neat and tidy box.

    Embrace the weirdness and see where it takes you.

CONSIDER THIS
The Science of Mind Wandering

There's another fascinating aspect to shower thinking that's worth exploring: the science of mind wandering.

Mind wandering, also known as daydreaming or spontaneous thought, is the experience of having thoughts that are unrelated to the task at hand.

Think of mind wandering as that feeling of being "lost in thought," letting your mind drift from one idea to another without any clear direction or purpose.

For a long time, mind wandering was seen as a cognitive failure - a sign of distraction, laziness, or lack of focus.

But, research has shown that mind wandering is actually a crucial part of how our brains function and process information. When we let our minds wander, we're not just zoning out - we're actually engaging in a complex process of memory consolidation, problem-solving, and creative ideation.

One study, published in the journal Psychological Science, found that people who reported more frequent mind wandering also scored higher on tests of creativity and problem-solving.

The researchers theorize that mind wandering allows our brains to make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas and memories, which can lead to new insights and "aha" moments.

Another study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used fMRI scans to look at what happens in the brain during mind wandering.

They found that when people's minds wandered, there was increased activity in the brain's "default mode network" - a set of regions that are active when we're not focused on any particular task.

This default mode network is thought to play a key role in self-reflection, autobiographical memory, and imagining the future - all important components of creative thinking.

So, the next time you find your mind wandering in the shower (or anywhere else), don't beat yourself up about it. Instead, recognize that you're engaging in a valuable cognitive process that could lead to your next big breakthrough.

Embrace the mental meandering, and see where it takes you.

So, here's your challenge for the week:

Next time you're in the shower, pay attention to the thoughts and ideas that come to you. Don't try to force anything, but simply let your mind wander and see what bubbles up. And if a particularly juicy idea strikes, don't be afraid to jump out and write it down, even if you're still covered in suds.

After all, your best ideas might just be waiting for you in the shower. All you have to do is turn on the tap and let it flow.

Keep honing those human skills, and letting your mind wander!

LINKS
Explore more

  • Research: Self-compassion and grit mediated the relation between mindfulness and mind wandering based on cross-sectional survey data (Link)

  • News: Jeff Bezos Uses "Mind Wandering" To Boost Productivity. Here's What It Is (Link)

  • Article: Science Says These Simple Brain Habits Can Make Anybody More Creative (Link)

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