The Reason Why We Sing in the Shower

Regardless of the quality of their vocal stylings, few people can resist the urge to belt out a song behind the glass doors of their shower. In addition to being private, there's also not much else to do in there. But the same could be true for bedrooms, dressing room stalls, or anywhere a person finds themselves alone. What makes shower enclosures so appealing for amateur vocalists?

According to HowStuffWorks, showers inspire solo performances for a number of reasons. Under a rush of warm water and isolated from distractions, your brain releases the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine, putting you in an upbeat mood. When you sing, you're also taking in more oxygen, which improves blood circulation. In terms of breathing, it's almost like a meditation session.

That might explain why you start singing. Why do you keep at it? Think of the shower stall like a primitive—but still effective—recording booth. Shower tiles don't absorb sound well, meaning that your voice tends to bounce off the walls, making it sound much richer and deeper than if you were singing in the living room or your car. Rewarded with a full and booming voice, you're likely going to be compelled to keep going.

Showers also double as privacy booths. When you lather up, you're performing a repetitive task that requires virtually no conscious thought. That frees you up to remember song lyrics, crack a creative problem, or make associations that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

Shower performing is no random occurrence. It's facilitated by biochemical, psychological, and acoustic circumstances that create the perfect atmosphere for less-than-perfect singing.

[h/t HowStuffWorks]