A study led by Zac Irving and Caitlin Mills explored how mind-wandering during moderately engaging activities, like showering, can enhance creativity. Published in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, the research builds on earlier work from 2012, which linked mind-wandering to creative incubation. The team found that engaging in simple tasks that aren't overly demanding, such as walking or showering, can trigger creative ideas. In their experiment, participants who watched an engaging video (like a scene from When Harry Met Sally) generated more creative responses to tasks than those who watched a boring video. The study suggests that creative thinking requires a balance between focused, linear thinking and random associations. Mind-wandering, often occurring during such tasks, facilitates this balance, helping to foster innovation and problem-solving.