For many people, going to the bathroom is an uncomfortable experience. Some suffer from health issues that make the physical act of going to the bathroom uncomfortable or painful. Some have bad habits or practices that make the experience less comfortable than it should be. And some simply don’t have a bathroom that supports truly comfortable visits.
Fortunately, there are solutions for nearly all of these problems.
How to Make Bathroom Visits More Comfortable
These are just some of the strategies that you can use to make your bathroom visits more comfortable:
- Invest in a bidet. One of the best upgrades you can make for your bathroom is a bidet. This is the type of device designed to clean your underside with a jet of warm water. Cleaning with water is much more hygienic and much more comfortable than cleaning with toilet paper, especially if you’re prone to hemorrhoids or if you just hate the rough texture of paper. If you’ve never tried a bidet before, you should try one – even if you’re initially reluctant or hesitant. You might be surprised to find out just how pleasant this experience is compared to the alternative.
- Get a heated toilet seat. There are few things more unsettling than sitting down on an ice-cold toilet seat in the middle of winter. Unfortunately, this surface is highly thermally conductive, typically making it feel colder than it is. But you can counteract this effect by investing in a heated toilet seat. Here’s even better news; if you also want a bidet, you can invest in a heated bidet toilet seat, which includes both a heated toilet seat and a functioning bidet.
- Splurge on towels. People often underestimate the value of high-quality, luxury towels. Even the best towels on the market aren’t particularly expensive, but they can make you feel like you’re living in a spa. Drying off never felt so good.
- Fight odors proactively. Nobody likes to use the bathroom when it smells like it’s been recently used – and nobody likes to contribute their own odors to the experience. That’s why it’s important to fight odors proactively, with candles, scent diffusers, incense, and other mitigation strategies.
- Go whenever you have the urge. Switching to the physical aspects of going to the bathroom, go whenever you have the urge. Sometimes, people attempt to hold it in for convenience or personal reasons, but it’s better for your health if you simply follow your instincts.
- Fix your posture. Throughout most of the Western hemisphere, people sit “normally” when defecating – but there are better postures you can adopt for more comfortable bowel evacuation. For example, widening your hips or switching to a squatting position could make it much more comfortable to defecate.
- Stay relaxed. Whether you’re going number one or number two, it’s important to stay relaxed. This allows your body to function naturally, and reduces the possibility of health complications long term.
- Drink more water. Drinking more water is good for both urinary and bowel health. When your body has enough water, it can function more efficiently – and your bathroom experiences will be smoother and more comfortable.
- Eat lots of fiber. Dietary fiber is essential for good health, and it can help your body’s digestive system function more effectively. You can get fiber by eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. If you’re not getting enough fiber in your regular diet, you can always take a fiber supplement to close the gap.
- Exercise regularly. Good exercise habits can benefit your body in myriad ways, including helping you stay regular. Additionally, if you practice specific exercises for the pelvic floor, you can facilitate better bladder health.
- Avoid known irritants. Some people experience distress when consuming certain ingredients or substances, like spicy foods, acidic beverages, or alcohol. Notice how different ingredients and substances affect your body, and avoid known irritants.
When to See a Doctor
It’s important to note that these strategies can help most people have more comfortable bathroom visits, but they can’t fix deep or complicated underlying problems. For example, if you have a bladder infection or if you suffer from chronic constipation, drinking more water and eating more fiber may not be enough to relieve your symptoms.
When in doubt, talk to a doctor; your doctor will be able to help you understand whatever issues you’re currently facing and provide you with additional strategies, medications, or therapeutic interventions to help you feel better.
Still, for most people, improving the overall bathroom experience is a simple matter of making upgrades, changing your habits, and being more mindful. Hopefully, these strategies can make your experiences much more pleasant.