INTERNATIONAL: As we juggle life’s endless responsibilities, finding moments to relax and clear our minds becomes increasingly difficult. Yet, amid our busy lives, many of us have discovered a secret refuge — the bathroom.

Whether it’s the gentle cascade of water or the quiet isolation, the shower has become an unlikely sanctuary for many. It offers a break from the external noise and the constant chatter inside our heads.

A featured article published by GMA emphasized that some of our most brilliant ideas emerge in this very space.

It’s not just a personal phenomenon—there’s a scientific explanation for why we often experience those “Eureka!” moments in the shower. So much so that waterproof notepads have been created to capture these shower-inspired insights.

The brain at rest – unlocking creativity

Dr Stephanie Balid-Attwell, a Clinical Psychologist and Research Associate in Australia, explains that the secret lies in the brain’s default mode network (DMN).

This network is activated when we’re in a relaxed state or engaged in routine tasks. The DMN, as its name suggests, is what our brain “defaults” to when we aren’t focusing on specific tasks.

During these moments, the mind is free to wander, making it the perfect environment for new ideas and creative breakthroughs.

This phenomenon isn’t exclusive to showers. Everyday activities that don’t demand much mental effort, like walking, washing dishes, or even doing the laundry, can also spark creativity.

These tasks put the brain in “autopilot” mode, allowing your thoughts to drift freely and make unexpected connections.

The science behind mind-wandering

The brain is most active in creativity during moments of “mind-wandering”—when we’re not focused on a specific task and instead let our thoughts drift.

This state allows the brain to access deeper areas of cognition, pulling in memories, future aspirations, and unrelated ideas to form fresh connections. It’s a form of passive thinking, similar to daydreaming, but with an added element of unpredictability.

Research supports this idea. A 2022 study involving patients undergoing awake brain surgery found that patients who exhibited stronger...