Summary:
● Comfortable environment (familiar environment, temperature, repetitive simple actions)
● Relaxed mood (no work pressure)
● A hint of fatigue (putting logic aside)
Have you ever found yourself lost in thought while taking a shower? Realizing many truths and discovering perspectives you haven't noticed before. You are not alone, you are just one of the millions of people who engage in bathroom contemplation, whether ordinary or extraordinary.
Fortunately, with the widespread use of the internet in recent years, there has been increased communication and recognition of the concept of bathroom contemplation. Just search on a few mainstream social media platforms and you'll find a bunch of like-minded friends (take some time to check them out).
But what exactly is bathroom contemplation? Why do we have these fleeting moments of inspiration while showering? Is there a scientific explanation?
The answer is yes. First of all, the environment when you shower is warm, comfortable, and familiar. It is a very conducive environment for relaxation. Combined with your favorite shampoo and shower gel.
At this moment, you are away from work/study, away from DingTalk notifications, WeChat notifications. You can think independently, allowing your brain to release some dopamine. This can also make you feel drowsy and some people may unconsciously start humming a song. (But now some people wear fitness trackers/smartwatches while showering)
Although there are many preconditions here, when your body temperature rises and you officially enter the "rhythm" of showering, your mind starts to wander. This is because you are engaged in simple actions. This is also why the brain is more likely to wander when performing repetitive tasks. I used to daydream a lot when helping to pick vegetables.
When the prefrontal cortex of the brain relaxes, the rest of the brain starts to work faster. Problems that have been bothering you for a long time get inspired. If you focus on doing one thing (like taking an exam or solving a problem), you are less likely to experience "bathroom contemplation".
Another reason is time. Most people shower in the morning or evening. During these two times, you are either sleepy or tired. In this state, your brain also starts to slack off, and the logical part of the brain stops working (similar to dreaming, which is why your dreams often lack logic). Factors unrelated to the problem at hand are not filtered by the brain as much as during other times. That's why you can think outside the box while showering.
Because of these factors (comfortable environment, relaxed mood, a hint of fatigue), you engage in creative thinking. Therefore, it is not surprising to have some wonderful ideas while showering. In fact, "bathroom contemplation" doesn't necessarily have to happen in the bathroom, as long as the above conditions are met, "contemplation" can occur.