I was in the shower this past week and then boom an idea came to me, NO it wasn't the answer to the universe or solving world hunger... but later on during the day, this realization made me reminisce on earlier times when I gained clarity on a topic or a situation in the shower.
I wondered if there was a theory behind this and why it's more commonly shared with other people, I remember reading some motivational books where the author usually talks about discovering an idea while in the shower.
Inspirations and ideas are very crucial elements of creativity, it is so important that some creatives even go to the extent of using psychoactive substances to trigger this state of mind, maybe the solution to this phenomenon can be found in the shower 馃槅
FOCUS AND DISTRACTIONS
In this new age of technology, surrounded by lots of stimulation (phones, television, laptop) It is easy to get drowned by gadgets around us. Being alone in the shower is one of the ways you can easily focus on entering another mental state that could forge an idea or an inspiration.
DOPAMINE
There could also be a scientific explanation to this phenomenon as it pertains to Dopamine, which is popularly known as the "feel-good" chemical, there have been studies that shows how showers trigger the release of dopamine, cold showers even have a higher impact on dopamine levels up to 200% increase. Dopamine is not just a "feel-good" chemical though, it also has a large impact on our creativity and drive.
THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND
A lot of our actions and in-actions can the traced back to the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind can be likened to a data bank for all our experiences, thoughts, and beliefs. Being in the shower can help relax our conscious mind, thereby letting the deep waters of the subconscious seep into the conscious mind with useful data.
RELAXATION
The shower is a place where we embrace our vulnerability. Naked and alone but still preserving a sense of safety, the combination of these factors can put us in a hypnotic state where ideas can spring up, most especially if you were thinking about a problem just before your shower. You could come out of the shower with a brand new solution.
With that being said... I hope I've been able to motivate you to look forward to your showers as a source of inspiration.
Previously on Notes to Self