Why We Shouldn’t Read While on the Toilet

According to a British survey, the average Brit spends a bit longer than 3 hours per week on the toilet. This by far exceeds the recommended 10-15 minutes per day, which is about 1 hour and 45 minutes per week. And if you’re wondering how that time goes by, then mobile phones is your answer. It shouldn’t be a surprise that 75% of Americans have admitted to using their phone while on the toilet.

Bright Side would like to warn you about the 6 alarming reasons you shouldn’t spend more than 15 minutes on the toilet.

1. Our phones are playgrounds for germs.

Phones can transfer and pick up germs very successfully. They can transfer the germs from their surface to your private areas when wiping. They can also pick up germs from any bathroom surface while you’re washing your hands or flushing.

Studies have shown that phones are responsible for spreading the MRSA superbug in healthcare environments. This can mean that a random patient could end up being infected.

2. Hemorrhoids and other rectal issues

According to doctors, sitting anywhere from 1 to 15 minutes on the toilet is the norm. Spending more time than that puts unneeded pressure on your rectum. And hemorrhoids are one of the most serious symptoms, followed by rectal prolapse.

In the latter case, your rectum starts to drop out of place. While this sounds very scary, doctors don’t think it is a state of emergency unless you leave it untreated.

3. You don’t need to practice mindfulness on the toilet.

Phones will not only keep your brain in stress mode but they will also keep you distracted from your daily activities. If you need to take a break during the day, try meditating or doing a few exercises. By activating your body, you will also activate your brain. Additionally, when you eat your meal, try to enjoy it and not rush through it.

If meditation is not your thing, you can turn to books. Reading will keep you focused on the words and uninterested in your phone. You will simply detach from everything that bothers you and insert yourself into an alternate world.

4. You treat toilet time as a way to escape.

A study back in 2016 found that many of the participants used their phones in order to suppress negative feelings and emotions. Also, the same study showed that students were using their phones to fight their boredom. As a result, the continuous use of phones as a coping strategy could be having a severe impact on our mental health.

One positive outcome from the study was that phones actually help some people to cope with stressful situations. However, a 2014 study showed that being away from their phone can be very stressful for many millennials.

5. You waste your time.

According to research, we all spend an average of 90 minutes per day on our phones, which is about 3.9 years in our lifetime. This means that phones can distract us from our jobs and our daily activities. According to this study, employees waste around 5 hours per week on non-work-related things.

So, instead of working, many people admitted to checking their personal emails and checking their social media when they should actually be working.

6. You become addicted to your phone.

One of the 3 main symptoms of phone addiction is the fear of leaving your home without your phone. The other 2 are a fear that you can’t send or receive texts and a false feeling that you are receiving alerts. While many scientists still will not use the word “addiction” comfortably, there are indications that this is indeed what is happening.

Most addictions are connected to the transmission of dopamine. Phones provide that same feel-good experience, with users being happy every time they interact with someone. The negative outcomes of excessive phone use include low self-esteem, anxiety, and even depression.

Have you ever felt consumed by your phone? Have you tried reducing your screen time and if so did you notice any changes in your overall health?