My biggest pet-peeve is unwelcoming toilets – which include filthy, smelly, unhygienic and soapless ones. So it’s a no-brainer that I detest public washrooms, and that if I really need to use one, I’d find a good and clean one to ease myself into. However, when you’re in a situation in which no hygienic washroom is within reach, then it’s best to hold it in until you find one.
Of course, holding in your urine is never advisable, as doing so could invite unwanted health problems. My advice, if you REALLY can’t control it, is to turn a blind eye to the uncleanliness and do your job – with one hand pinching nose, while testing the strength of your glutes, as you don’t want to fully rest your thighs on the God-knows-what-bacteria-is-breeding-on-the-discoloured-toilet seat.
Mostly, I’m able to control the urge to relieve my uncomfortable bladder thanks to a few tricks that work like a charm – MOST of the time. So if you share the same OCD quirks like me as regards public restrooms, note these handy tips, because they can save you from a stressful situation.
Release some gas if you need to
Don’t be shy doing this. It might be uncomfortable to pass gas when your bladder is at full capacity. However, if you’re able to release some gas from your system, it could give you temporary relief by giving your bladder some breathing space. Don’t go farting around or passing gas when someone’s beside you, because, with a full bladder, releasing even a tiny amount of gas would require you to do some yoga poses which might look odd to those with empty bladders.
Sit straight but comfortably
You can easily spot someone with the urge to pee, but holding it in. They’ll be slouching and sitting while looking very uncomfortable. I have done this in the past, but this led to unfruitful outcomes. Why? Because when you slouch and sit, you are putting more pressure on your bladder, making you want to pee even more.
Avoid cold places
The first thing I feel like doing when I enter my bathroom for a shower is peeing my bladder out, because the water is cold and it takes time to warm up. Whenever we’re in a cold environment, the urge to pee is higher compared to when it’s warm. My toddler, who wears diapers at night, wakes up with a super-heavy diaper in the morning; or ends up wetting the bed because the AC was too cold. So if you have a full bladder and want to avoid any drama, it’s best to stay outdoors, enjoying Malaysia’s tropical weather – or to try to keep warm in any other way. I’d say cuddle up! Oh, wait, don’t. Nothing that pushes the bladder, ya!
Cross your legs when standing
Doing this will definitely make it super obvious that you’re holding onto some “treasure”, but it’s your safest best. Why, you may ask? The urethra is the tube that leads your pee out of your body. You can squeeze this tube slightly by crossing your legs. Make sure you cross them while standing, since in a seated position, it might only lead to more pressure on the bladder. My personal pro tip: find some place you can lean your body on (like a pillar, wall or furniture) while standing cross-legged. Don’t try to walk around too much, because walking creates a lot of movement – internally – which might not be the best idea, considering how ‘intact’ you want to be.
Try not to laugh
Laughing is indeed the best medicine, but not the best remedy when you’re put in a tough spot. I’d highly recommend you to not laugh too much because, again, it causes a lot of movement and puts pressure on your bladder. I’m sure you’ve seen in movies or heard your hilarious friends saying “OMG, don’t make me laugh, I’m literally gonna pee!”; or Monica’s famous line from Friends, “I laughed so much till I swear a little pee came out”. So yea, it really can happen. If you’re in a conversation, a fairly happy one, it’s best to simply chuckle or laugh moderately. Definitely avoid LOL or ROFL.
Divert your mind
Whenever I feel like hitting the restroom, but can’t, I use this trick of distracting my mind. When your bladder is at capacity, it’ll constantly signal your mind to go to the washroom – well that’s how the body is designed. But our minds can be easily distracted too, so use that to your advantage by watching YouTube videos (again, nothing that makes you LOL, ROFL yeah?); or just delve into your socials for some entertainment, and also diversion. When you’re constantly thinking about the washroom, but it’ll be some time until you actually can go, time will pass as slowly as a sloth’s movement.
Squeeze your butt
Ok, this tip can make you look more attractive when all you’re doing is holding in your pee, because squeezing your butt makes them more firm. Win-win, right? So this helped me many a time too. Squeezing your butt cheeks a few times is a quick exercise to tighten those muscles which can help hold urine in the bladder, preventing leakage. You can do this in any position, standing up or sitting down. But don’t go crazy squeezing and releasing the whole time, or you’re gonna get some unwanted attention. You’ll realize that after a few tight squeezes, the urge abates. Yay!
Now that you have tricks at your fingertips, you don’t need to worry about forcing yourself to use a filthy toilet that looks like a scene from SAW. Yucks!
Of course, practice makes perfect, so if you master these highly skillful tricks, you can do so in the comfort of your home 🙂
More on tips? Read this:
Practice These Simple Habits Every Morning And Watch Your Life Transform
