Some of my best ideas have occurred to me during the time I spend sudsing up every day. I don’t know if it’s the rushing water around me, the sensation of getting clean, or just the fact that it’s probably the first time in hours that I only have one task to concentrate on. Whatever the reason, I sometimes end up with a breakthrough idea, or a new way to study the problem I’ve been grappling with for days.

But how do you harness this time for your own creativity? Here’s what helps me:

#1: Turn on Autopilot

You know how to shower–you know what needs to be scrubbed, what needs to be rinsed. So you can allow yourself to act on autopilot…just let yourself think about whatever comes to mind. If you end up singing a little melody you’ve just come up with, great! If you finally figure out how to organize your kitchen, woot! It’s all for the better. Every idea is a victory, no matter how small it might seem to someone else.

#2: Talk Out Your Idea

You might think it’s weird to talk in the shower, but don’t worry about it–people sing in the shower, so why not talk? Talking (or softly muttering, if need be) puts your thoughts into more coherent form, instead of your ideas being stuck to some giant mental spiderweb of frustration. If you have a hard time keeping your thoughts on track (like me), this trick can really help you stay focused.

#3: Write It All Down ASAP

Once you’ve hammered out the idea mentally and/or verbally, don’t forget to write down everything so you don’t forget it. You don’t need anything fancy for this–you can just start keeping a notepad and pen in a drawer in your bathroom for such occasions. (Just don’t let the notepad get wet!)

Summary

These 3 simple little tricks have helped me use my shower time not just for cleansing and relaxation, but for brainstorming as well. Why not give it a shot? You might find that your creativity benefits from a shower, too!