🚿The Science Behind Shower Thoughts

🚿The Science Behind Shower Thoughts

By Jenna D'Annunzio

Here me out, because I can’t be the only one who has the best ideas while in the shower! Actually, I know I’m not, as a client recently shared with me the AHA moment he had experienced in the shower.  Now, I feel validated and inspired to share why the shower is essentially the perfect environment for creativity!

1. No distractions & all relaxation.

When you’re showering, you’re usually alone, away from screens, notifications, and external demands. Granted, for my parents with small kids, I know showers are often interrupted, AND there are certainly ones when you are blissfully alone. The relaxed state often found in the shower activates the default mode network (DMN) in your brain — the same network involved in daydreaming and introspection.

2. We get a major boost of dopamine.

Warm water, soothing sensations, and the comfort of routine all increase dopamine levels. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter linked to creativity and problem-solving. More dopamine = more mental flexibility.

3. No judgment zone.

You’re not trying to impress anyone in the shower. That psychological safety lets ideas flow without self-censorship.

4. Incubation effect.

If you’ve been wrestling with a problem or idea, stepping away from it allows your subconscious to keep working behind the scenes. Back story – when I was first contacted by Jim Britt, international bestselling author, coach and speaker, about the Cracking The Rich Code project, I was really stumped on what to write about. After going through all the mashugana of why me, the next steps were figuring out what information I was willing to share with the world that would be both inspiring, interesting and impactful. Andddd, running a business and household with 3 busy kids, I was really struggling. It was in the shower that the idea of using a timeline of experiences came to be! The shower acted like a mini mental retreat, letting my brain connect dots in the background.

5. Mind-wandering magic.

The repetitive nature of showering (lather, rinse, repeat) frees up cognitive space. Our executive functioning skills take over when we're doing a task we’ve done time and time again.  This allows our thoughts to drift, and that drifting often leads to unexpected connections — the essence of creativity.

So how can we bring that shower-brain brilliance into the rest of your day?

1. Create low-stimulation zones.

Take short breaks from screens and noise. It’s not new what screen time can do to our brain activity. Overstimulation from excessive screen time can quietly rewire the brain and not in ways that support clarity, creativity, or emotional well-being. It’s like feeding your nervous system a constant diet of digital sugar: fast, addictive, and ultimately depleting. Walking, gardening, or even washing dishes can activate the same default mode network that lights up in the shower.

2. Use the “mindless task” trick.

Our brain relaxes and starts making unexpected connections when we do something repetitive: folding laundry, doodling, pacing.

3. Schedule “idea time.”

Block out 10–15 minutes a day for undirected thinking. No goals, no pressure. Let your mind wander, it’s surprisingly productive!

4. Try sensory cues.

Recreate the shower vibe with warm lighting, ambient sounds, or even a scent you associate with relaxation. These cues can prime your brain for what I call getting in a creative state of flow.

5. Embrace boredom.

Resist the urge to fill every idle moment with content. Boredom is fertile ground for imagination. Embracing boredom is like opening a portal to your inner world; a quiet invitation to reset, reflect, and reimagine. In a culture obsessed with productivity and stimulation, boredom often feels uncomfortable. But when you lean into it consciously, it becomes a powerful catalyst for creativity, clarity, and personal growth.

In conclusion, when experiencing a block, go take a shower!