You’re standing in the shower when an amazing idea pops into your head. But why? It turns out there’s a scientific reason you’re at your most creative when you’re getting clean
There’s a scientific reason you’re at your most creative when you’re getting clean (stock)(Image: Getty Images)
You know the drill, you’re standing in the shower, mindlessly lathering up, when an amazing idea pops into your head.
That or you find yourself randomly remembering that time when you made a fool out of yourself after drinking too much at a friend’s house party when you were 17. Either way, these mindful moments aren’t released when you crack open your hint-of-rainforest shower gel, there is in fact a less magical explanation. According to research, stepping into that cubicle and letting the water flow is just about the perfect environment to conjure up the thoughts.
This comes as scientists revealed that lab grown mini human brains sent into space aged quicker than they did on earth. It also follows on from an expert’s claims that Bigfoot is an “interdimensional shape-shifter” from another world.
The shower is just about the perfect environment to get the cogs whirring (stock)(Image: Getty Images/Westend61)
Zachary Irving, assistant professor of philosophy and cognitive science at the University of Virginia, has passionately dedicated his expertise to unravel the mystery behind states of creative mind-wandering.
“I describe this [kind of thought] as unguided or unconstrained attentional thinking,” he says. “Your brain codes that it doesn’t need you to engage in detail, it doesn’t need your perceptual attention or motor attention, and that allows your mind to have this random kind of movement.”
It appears your chances of experiencing a flash of creativity are at their highest while you’re engaged in mundane activities, like showering. These effortless routines allow your mind to wander freely, enabling a frenzy of unfiltered thoughts and associations.
The chances of experiencing a flash of creativity are at their highest while you’re engaged in mundane activities (stock)(Image: Getty Images)READ MORE: Punters praise Wetherspoons for naming boozer after terrifying ‘Hammer Horror’ star
Yet, indulging in too dull a task, such as sitting idly and gazing into the abyss, might lead to a lack of stimulation, which is counterproductive for creative thinking.
“When we’re super, super-bored, we seek stimulation,” says Irving. “So we just stop our mind from wandering by, say, checking our phone. That’s not going to lead to the kind of creativity we need.”
Daydreaming ignites the prefrontal cortex – the hub of decision-making and behavioural regulation. Simultaneously, it stimulates the brain’s “default mode network” (DMN), ensuring smoother interaction between different brain areas.
By activating your DMN, you may discover inventive insights that your conscious mind would normally overlook. So, if you’re piecing together ideas for an upcoming crucial meeting, rather than stare open-mouthed out of the window, maybe consider taking a shower for an inspirational boost – just don’t take your laptop.