Shower Power: Why Mind-Wandering is so Beneficial
Routine time to zone out.
I think we all shower for the sake of hygiene. Sometimes to relax. And sometimes just to let yourself think about nothing. Do you notice how your thoughts seem to flow in the shower in a way they don’t when you’re sitting at your desk, trying to focus. That’s because without screens, notifications, or external distractions, your mind is free to roam. This process (mind-wandering) isn’t just random; it’s a crucial part of creative thinking. It also happens when I’m doing things like cleaning or yard work.
Mind-wandering just allows your brain to drift between different ideas, pulling from past experiences, knowledge, and subconscious thoughts. And when this happens, I’m able to decompress and realize that ideas that seem unrelated are coming together in unexpected ways. So you might step into the shower thinking about your to-do list and step out with a completely fresh solution to any current issue or problem.
To that point, scientists have actually found that mind-wandering enhances problem-solving. Apparently people who engaged in an undemanding task, something simple like walking or washing dishes, were better at coming up with creative solutions compared to those who focused intensely on a problem. When I was in college, I worked at a gym. And one of my favorite parts of my job was folding the laundry delivery of sweat towels, but I didn’t realize that this legit helped my creativity. So menial tasks let your thoughts meander and can be much more effective than forcing your way to an idea.
Mind-wandering is also connected to memory retrieval. When your brain is relaxed, it sifts through stored information and past experiences, sometimes pulling up things you weren’t even aware you remembered. That’s why a song lyric from ten years ago might suddenly pop into your head, or an old conversation might spark a new idea.
Beyond memory, mind-wandering helps with “divergent thinking.” I know I wrote about this a while back. It’s the ability to explore multiple possibilities rather than fixating on one rigid answer (which would be convergent thinking). This is essential for creative work, where innovation often comes from unexpected connections.
The key to harnessing this effect is allowing yourself more unstructured mental space. I know it’s so hard to do in the world we live in today. If every moment of your day is filled with emails, social media, or podcasts, your brain never gets the chance to wander. That’s why showers, dishes, laundry, cleaning the bathtub, etc., are helpful beyond the obvious reasons. They strip away distractions and create the perfect conditions for spontaneous insights. Zoning out while doing a repetitive task, or even just staring into space if you can manage that, can all help unlock the same creative process.
By giving your brain room to breathe, you’re not being lazy. You’re creating the ideal conditions for your next big idea to find you.
Fascinating to read some of the science behind it. I can absolutely resonate with coming up with my best ideas when my mind is wandering as compared to trying to think of them.