People love to blame smart phones for the loneliness epidemic. But the real culprit is the hot shower. This seemingly benign luxury has stealthily reshaped social behaviors, significantly diminishing our daily interactions with others. Historically, bathing wasn't a solitary, private luxury. Instead, it was inherently communal, taking place in public bathhouses. Bathing rituals were social activities, providing daily opportunities for casual interactions, communal bonding, and neighborhood gossip. People regularly connected with friends, acquaintances, and even strangers through shared routines. With the advent and widespread availability of private bathrooms and hot showers within each and every home, an essential social fabric began unraveling. Smart phones and streaming services all contribute to this same phenomenon, minimizing our reliance on public spaces for our daily needs. Gradually, daily interaction has declined, replaced by convenience, resulting in solitude. Even worse than smartphones, which at least allow some mediated social engagement, hot showers represent an absolute retreat into solitude. Addressing loneliness today is not as easy as blaming a new age technology. It requires careful reconsideration of all the seemingly innocuous comforts that isolate us. Instead of trying to spend less time on your phone, try spending more time showering with other people–and see what happens to your happiness! How’s that for a shower thought?