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The Power of Shower Thoughts

alexanderell.is

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Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#61

Post by furyofantares »

kstenerud wrote: post #16

It just has to be some repetitive physical activity that doesn't require intense thought or mental focus. This can be chopping wood, taking a shower, walking, hiking, running, riding a bike, taking the dog for a walk, doing the dishes, etc. The key is: 1. No particular mental focus 2. Some kind of physical movement Your mind eventually starts to spin on autopilot, which is when it is able to mix things it can't while…

There are some video games that also do it for me. Super Hexagon, One Finger Death Punch, Guitar Hero/Rock Band, Geometry Wars are the big ones.

These are all games that require some type of intense focus but where I surely begin making mistakes the moment I consciously think about my actions in the game. Sometimes this means getting in the zone and not thinking about anything at all, but sometimes my mind is instead allowed to wander it a way it doesn't normally, and without judgment.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#62

Post by resonantjacket5 »

saagarjha wrote: post #46
psv1 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To add to your point 1 - no particular mental focus also requires no audio input. It's so easy to fall into the habit of constantly having a podcast or an audiobook on.

What’s wrong with music?

Nothing inherently wrong, but if your mind is thinking about the lyrics it might be hard to "wander". Of course varies from person to person

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#63

Post by roddux »

Tade0 wrote: post #57
psv1 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To add to your point 1 - no particular mental focus also requires no audio input. It's so easy to fall into the habit of constantly having a podcast or an audiobook on.

I can't confirm that, since as of late I've been getting great results with this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DydIK14AvXI

Of all places I thought I'd see that channel recommended, HN is close to last on the list. That guy puts up some really great stuff.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#64

Post by drej »

I've had some of the best ideas while in a sauna. Sure, I can't write stuff down, but a) I don't have my phone, no distractions, b) it's a prolonged period, so I have time to think it through, c) there's no physical exercise to distract me from all this.

The one downside is the fact that I can't write stuff down, so I oftentimes forget these revolutionary thoughts ;-)

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#65

Post by noelsusman »

Cigarettes taught me this in college. Definitely the only positive impact smoking had on my life. I would be deep into solving a hard problem, and my nicotine brain would force me to go outside and smoke. I would very often come back inside and immediately get past a big hurdle I was struggling with.

It happened so much that when I quit smoking I made sure to continue the routine of getting up to go outside for a few minutes every two hours or so.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#66

Post by ajxs »

noelsusman wrote: post #65

Cigarettes taught me this in college. Definitely the only positive impact smoking had on my life. I would be deep into solving a hard problem, and my nicotine brain would force me to go outside and smoke. I would very often come back inside and immediately get past a big hurdle I was struggling with. It happened so much that when I quit smoking I made sure to continue the routine of getting up to go outside for a few…

I came here to say the exact same thing. I used to find that the act of prying myself away from the computer to go have a cigarette was incredibly beneficial to my problem solving ability. There is definitely something to performing a simple, repetitive physical task while leaving the mind free to wander. Like the above poster, I've since quit smoking thank goodness. I don't miss the smoking itself as much as I miss having a reason to get up and treat myself to some quiet time to indulge myself in thought.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#67

Post by keyle »

ajxs wrote: post #66
noelsusman wrote: post #65

Cigarettes taught me this in college. Definitely the only positive impact smoking had on my life. I would be deep into solving a hard problem, and my nicotine brain would force me to go outside and smoke. I would very often come back inside and immediately get past a big hurdle I was struggling with. It happened so much that when I quit smoking I made sure to continue the routine of getting up to go outside for a few…

I came here to say the exact same thing. I used to find that the act of prying myself away from the computer to go have a cigarette was incredibly beneficial to my problem solving ability. There is definitely something to performing a simple, repetitive physical task while leaving the mind free to wander. Like the above poster, I've since quit smoking thank goodness. I don't miss the smoking itself as much as I miss…

Interestingly enough browsing HN every so often is my version of this.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#69

Post by WalterBright »

noelsusman wrote: post #65

Cigarettes taught me this in college. Definitely the only positive impact smoking had on my life. I would be deep into solving a hard problem, and my nicotine brain would force me to go outside and smoke. I would very often come back inside and immediately get past a big hurdle I was struggling with. It happened so much that when I quit smoking I made sure to continue the routine of getting up to go outside for a few…

I don't smoke, but going out for a walk or run has that effect on me.

Re: The Power of Shower Thoughts

#70

Post by WalterBright »

kstenerud wrote: post #16

It just has to be some repetitive physical activity that doesn't require intense thought or mental focus. This can be chopping wood, taking a shower, walking, hiking, running, riding a bike, taking the dog for a walk, doing the dishes, etc. The key is: 1. No particular mental focus 2. Some kind of physical movement Your mind eventually starts to spin on autopilot, which is when it is able to mix things it can't while…

> Some kind of physical movement

My theory, unencumbered by evidence, is the movement shakes the thoughts around until they find a pattern where they fit together.

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