This is
You Won't Regret It
, a new weekly column featuring recommendations, tips, and unsolicited advice from the Mashable culture team.
By now, we know that
we actually
do
think some really sharp thoughts in the shower. But what if you could think those great thoughts while also
listening to "Cut to the Feeling"
?
I once shunned shower music, perhaps traumatized by a former roommate's shower playlist. (In case you were wondering, it was comprised of four songs and four songs only, and one of those songs was by G-Eazy. The playlist never changed.)
Now, though, I am a shower music evangelist.
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The best thing about shower music is that it lets me, a morning shower-er, deliberately set the tone for the rest of my day. Let's say, for instance, that it's rainy and gross outside. If I want to lean into the damp vibes of the outside world, I'll listen to The National or something similarly gloomy. (Sorry, I know.) But if I want to send a message that's more "I would prefer if this day were good," I'll opt for my lord and savior Carly Rae Jepsen, or
this Hayley Kiyoko and Kehlani song
that I spend all my waking hours thinking about.
Then, even if the subway is hopelessly delayed and I step in a Mystery PuddleTM on my way to the office, I'll at least have a pleasant song stuck in my head.
As if by magic, your shower will seem less like something you have to do and more like a curated luxury.
But let's say you prefer a night shower. No problem! Try one of the roughly six million Spotify playlists that include the word "relax" in their titles. Put on some jazz. Remember that
first Norah Jones album
we all loved back in 2002? Revisit it -- it's still good. As if by magic, your shower will seem less like something you
have
to do and more like a curated luxury.
There are other, more practical reasons why shower music is so good. For one thing, bathrooms
tend to have pretty good acoustics
, meaning your favorite songs sou
nd more aurally pleasing in there. When you're in the tiny box that is your shower, your singing voice gets even better -- it sounds louder and more resonant when it bounces against hard tile.
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And let's face it. You're going to sing in the shower anyway. Why not add some actual music and really show your audience (your toiletries and perhaps a loofah) what you're made of? Plus, singing
releases endorphins
. I love endorphins!
Of course, there's a wrong way and a right way to do shower music. For obvious reasons, you cannot bring your iPhone into the shower with you, but there are a shocking number of
waterproof and water-resistant speakers
out there. If you're worried about waking up your roommate, consider these
wireless headphones
, which can be worn in the shower.
If you want to go lo-fi, try the old
phone-in-a-cup trick
. Just be sure to place the cup in a place where it's not at risk of falling into the sink. Or worse, the tub. Or worse, the toilet.
And I shouldn't have to tell you about the dangers of shower dancing. Do
not
dance in the shower in any way that involves feet movement, or you will slip, fall, and become a Life Alert commercial. Unless you get
an anti-slip mat
(not a bad idea), the shower is a strict Torso Dancing Only zone.
Other than that though, you can do shower music however you want. To begin, make a little starter playlist of 3-4 songs you feel would enhance your shower experience. (Key changes are always a good idea, for the record.) Don't worry about getting the playlist exactly right -- you can always change it later. If you're stuck, here are a few options courtesy of my colleagues:
Bananarama, "Venus"
Britney Spears, "...Baby One More Time"
Sylvan Esso, "Coffee"
Amber Mark, "Love Me Right"
Chaka Khan, "Ain't Nobody"
Stay clean, music lovers. A world of shower music awaits you.
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