“I’ll be right back….”
“Just going to powder my nose”
“I’d probably leave it a while before you go in there…”
Whether you’re furtive, in denial, or just plain proud about your pooping habits, we all have one thing in common – we all do it (yes, even you, the girl whose shoes match her handbag and her nail colour).
What we don’t share, however, is the time of day that we choose to do our ‘bidness. And while it would be nice to say that there is no wrong time to go and that all poops are made equal, unfortunately (for afternoon poopers) that’s bullsh*t.
Women’s Health says that the best time of day to take a dump (apologies, I’m running out of euphemisms) is in the morning – preferably first thing after you wake up.
Kenneth Koch, M.D., chief section on gastroenterology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, said “For most people, the best time and their regular time is in the morning.”
Apparently this is because during the night while you’re sleeping, your small intestine and colon are busy processing the food you ate the day before. So once we drag ourselves out of bed and start moving around, it won’t be long before the inevitable dash to the toilet ensues.
But what about those of us who only feel the lure of the lavatory in the afternoon or evening? Is there anything that we can do to join this elite group of defecators?
Well, old habits die hard, and this is equally true of poo. So by getting into a routine and changing the things that contribute to bowel habits – like eating fruit and fiber, or drinking coffee – you can make yourself go before you dash out the door. Which would avoid those uncomfortable journeys into the office – for us and everyone around us. Because if you don’t go and you hold things in too long, you’ll end up gassy and bloated.
Most surprisingly of all, Women’s Health also said that anything from one bowel movement a week to three times a day is normal.
Wait. ONCE a week?
Well, perhaps that’s what their weekends are for…
“You can think of 100 reasons you don’t have time,” Koch says. “But have that breakfast, recognize that urge to have a bowel movement, and then take the time. That’s how you get into a regular movement.”
So set your alarm a little early, stock up on F=fruit and fibre, and have a little “me time” in the bathroom.
Your body will thank you.
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