Many people do not feel comfortable using bathrooms that aren’t their own, whether that be in public or at someone else’s house. That is why they often hold it until they get home. However, that may not always be the ideal situation or even physically possible. Here are a few ways that you can feel comfortable and use the bathroom with dignity.
Breathe
Going to the bathroom in public can cause you to feel stressed. You can ease your stress by taking the time out to breathe. This is a common calming down technique, as it can help to alleviate anxiety and panic, allowing your body to relax. Slowly inhale and exhale while you are counting to ten. Not only can this alleviate your stress, but it can also make it easier for you to go to the bathroom.
Carefully Choose the Stall
The stall that you choose is important. You don’t want to choose the first stall because it is typically the one that people will look in first. It is usually best for you to use the second or third stall. These stalls are usually the cleanest. In most cases, these stalls are the least used ones. You may also want to make sure there is no one in the stalls next to you if that’s possible.
Bring Something That Will Help You
There are several things that you can bring with you that will make it easier for you to go to the bathroom. This includes wet wipes, hand sanitizer, and medications that you take. You may also want to bring a change of clothes.
If you simply need a distraction while you are using the restroom, your phone, a book or magazine, or anything you feel comfortable bringing into a bathroom should suffice.
Try to Mitigate the Smell
One of the reasons that people are embarrassed to go to the bathroom in public is because they are concerned about the smell. The good news is that there are several things that you can do in order to mitigate the smell. For example, you can flush the toilet right after you go and before you wipe. This will prevent the waste from settling in the water and causing the whole bathroom to smell.
You can also use toilet drops. You can pour a couple of drops in the water before you go to the bathroom. The drops will help make a film over the water. This will help keep the bad odors inside.
Everyone feels more comfortable going to the bathroom at home. However, you will not always be able to wait. You can make this experience a lot better for yourself by relaxing and finding what works best for you when you have to go in public. Whether that be trying to control your anxiety, distraction methods, or doing what you can to mitigate any embarrassing situations, perhaps even a combination of techniques. It’s all about finding what works for you.
