How To Make Yourself Poop When You Don’t Have Much Time
Sometimes you know you have to make yourself poop, but you just can’t do the job in the time you have available. Do you seem to need to go every morning just before you’re about to walk out the door for work? Perhaps you need to leave for another function soon, and you don’t want to have to use the public facilities. Whatever your needs, there are a few things you can do to make yourself poop when you don’t have much time.
Quick Relief
Warm liquids act as a vasodilator: it widens the blood vessels, increasing blood flow. So drinking any warm liquid that you prefer may help speed things along; it doesn’t have to be coffee.
Physical activity is another way to prod the elimination process. Try some jumping jacks, walking or jogging up and down the stairs or even pacing around the house.
Related Link: Easily Missed Warning Signs for Bowel Cancer
Some people feel that gently massaging the perineum (the space between the genitals and the anus) may help relax the muscles and facilitate a bowel movement. A UCLA study did show promising results for a technique called self-acupressure. The study’s participants had chronic constipation, but it seems it would be helpful for someone who just needs to speed things along since the study showed that the acupressure “broke up hard stools, relaxed muscles and stimulated nerves responsible for bowel movements.” The study also noted that the participants received a few minutes of instruction in the technique, so it’s best to consult a physician or acupressure specialist.
Long-term Solutions
When this situation is a daily problem, there are a couple of particularly good helps. First, wake up earlier and immediately start your day with the warm liquid and light activity. Eat breakfast. Skipping breakfast is unhealthy and eating can give those bowels a nudge. Giving yourself more time in the morning will give you more time to facilitate things.
Most people do not get enough fiber on a daily basis. Increasing your fiber intake will improve the entire digestive and elimination process. Higher fiber intake is also beneficial to your overall health, helping you lose weight, lowering your bad (ldl) cholesterol and reducing your risk of heart disease. Along with fiber, it is essential that you get enough to drink and keep enough healthy fats in your diet.
Things to Avoid
Taking a glycerin suppository often helps people to poop, but this is not a good idea if you are in a hurry. The glycerin suppository may work immediately or may not work for a few hours, so it could backfire if you are trying to have your bowel movement at a particular time.
Laxatives are also somewhat unpredictable and not usually good for your health. You can become dependent on some laxatives.
Try never to delay a bowel movement. Some people hate to use public facilities, but holding it can worsen constipation.
Although sitting on the toilet for a few minutes can help push things along, never sit and strain for long periods.
