What's the Science Behind Shower Thoughts?

A look at the reason behind our thoughts while bathing.

Have you ever heard anyone use the phrase 'Shower Thought'? If not, it is typically used to describe an idea conceived while one is in the shower, or another routine task in which one is easily distracted (such as driving, cooking, cleaning, etc.). These usually aren't of extreme intelligence, but more creativity. Examples of shower thoughts are "Nothing is on fire, fire is on things" and "When you say 'forward' and 'back', your lips move in those directions" (source).

So you might have heard of 'shower thoughts', but have you ever wondered as to why they occur? When you are in the shower, you are in a relaxed state of mind. This makes it easier for you to think up your most creative ideas. When you are relaxed, you also tend to release more dopamine. Dopamine is a "catecholamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, retina, and sympathetic ganglia, acting within the brain to help regulate movement and emotion". (source). More dopamine can influence your creative juices, helping you come up with 'shower thoughts'.

It is recommended to keep a notebook with you for at all times to record your 'shower thoughts'. The main purpose of this is to prevent you from forgetting your creative moments. This can also allow you to look back at random thoughts that you have previously had. This would be fun to pull out when you are bored, or are recollecting past memories.

In general, 'shower thoughts' primarily occur because you are in a state of relaxation and produce more

dopamine. These are bursts of creativity that primarily occur while someone is completing a routine task. These can be preserved by recording them in a notebook, enabling you to look back on your past ideas.

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