ADVERTISEMENT

We all have our own shower routine some of us like jamming out and busting out our karaoke skills while others like to take the time to reflect - and judging by the subreddit thread shower thoughts, there is some profound thinking that goes on between suds.

According to the group, a shower idea is "a miniature epiphany that makes the mundane more interesting. Maybe it's all the head scrubbing that knocks out these interesting thoughts, but if you are searching for life's meaning, the answer may be underneath your shower head." Scroll down below to check out more of these soapy epiphanies, and don't forget to upvote these genius ideas!

#1

Best-Shower-Thoughts

Sapphorous Report

Add photo comments
POST
i2027594 avatar
Valerie Lessard
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the feeling is so damn good. allows you to relax, unwind and not have to think about working/schooling the next day, that's the true joy of it, the reduced stress

geologist_luna avatar
Tony Moon
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It has been shown and studied that the act of planning a vacation is often more relaxing than the vacation itself. Evidently it turns out that the pressure to have a great vacation actually overshadows the fun you are supposed to be having, but the planning of the events gives you relaxation. But here is the rub. You can't just plan it, for the relaxation to work. You have to actually KNOW you are going on vacation for the relaxation of the planning to be effective. How is that for a two edged sword.

mathias_1 avatar
Mathias
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And science also knows the reasons for this. You plan a lot you have big expectations, when expectations don't meet reality people feel unhappy. Another reason is: once there is nothing to do suppressed emotions come up and people feel bad, and they don't understand what is happening, they don't want to feel bad so they rush into activities instead of dealing with the emotions which then is double exhausting. The planing makes them happy because they can chase a dream (but it builds up expectations), if they'd go on vacations without planing they'd probably be scared or feel somehow otherwise disturbed about the upcoming trip. Fun thing is: many people have the best time of their life, when they didn't plan or nothing went according to plan but they just took the things as they happened. Life has some kind of dark humour in the way it works :)

Load More Replies...
smi0099 avatar
Paige s
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yep i work at mcdonaldsand when you have less then 5 minutes left on your shift and know you have tomorrow of is the best feeling

kingfeather avatar
Victoria Rey Piuma
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will agree that it's almost always true. But not 100%. I think it's also our own fault because we take time of work to do other chores! We're kinda hopeless.

douglas_spence avatar
Pi Spence
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it is a fantasy based on the assumption you will live to see another day - living in the present moment is far more appealing

View more commentsArrow down menu

While a lot of good and weird thoughts do come to us in the shower a 'shower thought' doesn't have to occur in the shower. The term has come to mean any idea you get while perform a mundane activity. Studies have shown that these epiphany moments usually occur in one of the 3 Bs - bathtub, bed or bus. Washington University psychologist R. Keith Sawyer, author of the new book Explaining Creativity: The Science of Human Innovation explains: "When we take time off from working on a problem, we change what we're doing and our context, and that can activate different areas of our brain. If the answer wasn't in the part of the brain we were using, it might be in another. If we're lucky, in the next context we may hear or see something that relates—distantly—to the problem that we had temporarily put aside.

#3

Best-Shower-Thoughts

CaptainChloro Report

Add photo comments
POST
dariab_1 avatar
Daria B
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's true. So, people, do not feel discouraged to speak that language you've been trying to learn recently! Practice makes perfect, once your skills get better, you're the one with the last laugh! *laughing in Spanish* ♥

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

A lot of funny shower thoughts are silly more than profound, but some famous discoveries have come between scrubs. In 1990 NASA scientists were trying to fix the lenses of the Hubble telescope while it was already in orbit. The engineer on the project Jim Crocker was taking a shower in a German hotel and noticed that the European-style shower was mounted on adjustable rods. That's when it hit him - Hubble's small mirrors could be extended into the telescope if they were mounted in a similar way on folding arms. You never know when clever ideas will hit!

ADVERTISEMENT

What is it about the shower that makes it the perfect environment to think? Our brain releases its best ideas when dopamine is triggered, which can occur during a warm shower. At the same time we are in a relaxed state and thus more likely to reflect inward. Lastly we are distracted. Activities like washing the dishes or washing ourselves are so automatic that it give our brain a break and allows our subconscious time to play in a more creative way.

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Best-Shower-Thoughts

TerminalGay Report

Add photo comments
POST
kasaalex avatar
kasa alex
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg this has really got me thinking now...has there been anytime where I've almost died but just had no idea?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

Best-Shower-Thoughts

zjb55446 Report

Add photo comments
POST
luismilian avatar
Luis Milian
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when being a parent you don't realize that watching your kid grow up, you are also growing up with them.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#12

Best-Shower-Thoughts

matthiasjreb Report

Add photo comments
POST
martti avatar
Martti Laurson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

not for their entertainment. They are just picking the court fool for the queen

View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

Best-Shower-Thoughts

Kintarra Report

Add photo comments
POST
therealslimdodger avatar
Dodger
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

theres a fine line between condoning the bad and encouraging self esteem sometimes

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Best-Shower-Thoughts

SgtMcBiscuit Report

Add photo comments
POST
sb256003 avatar
Stevie B
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Instead of just in the airport, if should be right next to security. That way, "here is your pile of stuff not allowed on the plane, but it all fits in the flat rate box, so we can mail it home for you for $29.95." USPSTSA employees.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Best-Shower-Thoughts

koth72 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#28

Best-Shower-Thoughts

Kwibuka Report

Add photo comments
POST
cathyroberts avatar
Wanda Queen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember catching my reflection in my daughters eye when she was little and thinking I looked awful, then realizing she thought I hung the moon, anyway. ;)

View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

Best-Shower-Thoughts

RiccRoll Report

Add photo comments
POST
elichaffner avatar
Kiss Army
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We just looked at the street view of my husband's parent's house as we are getting ready to sell it after his parents both passed away and the picture has his dad sitting out on the porch like he used to like to do. It was a special surprise.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda