The experts say that if you spend more than five minutes at a time sitting on the toilet, you’re not doing it correctly.
We Need That “Me Time”
According to Topps Tiles research, Brits make between four and seven trips a day and spend an average of around three and a half hours every week using the restroom.
Because Brits spend a lot of time on their phones when using the restroom, five minutes may seem like a long time to be doing your business, especially since not all of them (at least for the guys) involve sitting down.
In defence of the restroom texters, it’s one of the few locations where you can go in complete solitude and you’re not likely to get inquiries about how long you were there.
We all need a little alone time from time to time, and for many individuals, those little moments spent using the restroom are priceless moments of peace in an otherwise hectic day.
What Happens if I Stay Longer?
But as you’re about to discover, experts caution that spending so much time in the bathroom might be harmful to your health because it raises your chance of haemorrhoids.
According to the Mayo Clinic, haemorrhoids, commonly known as piles, can be caused by sitting for a long period on the toilet or by having to exert a lot of effort to force things out.
The science-y part is that prolonged sitting and pressure can increase in the veins near your butt, leading to a variety of health issues.
Fortunately, any side effects should go away with time, though more severe conditions can necessitate an awkward trip to the doctor.
Healthy habits are definitely worth adopting because piles are more likely to occur as you age and are more likely the less activity you get.
Not to get too technical, but a high-fibre diet will need less effort on the toilet. A healthy diet also helps.