Many of us have a habit of spending too much time in the toilet, men particularly. And, using your phone or gadget in the toilet is like a trend today at every home. But do you know the dangers associated with it? Today, sharing some of the reasons why you should stop taking your phone to the toilet.
When we take our phones away, we get stressed and anxious, and irritable. Dr. James Roberts, a professor at Baylor University who has written extensively about phone addiction and its impact said that our devices have certainly changed how we spend our time in the toilet.
A recent study recorded that 90% of people bring their phones in the toilet. However, when we use phones in the toilet, we’re putting our health and our brains at risk in multiple ways. And we literally need to figure this shit out before we lose our minds.
Using a phone in the toilet?
The toilet readers spent significantly more time in the toilets. The use of a phone and the amount of time it adds to sitting on the toilet can be a danger to us.
It is unhygienic
Just how unhygienic is using the phone while on the throne?
Basically, you just shouldn’t (take your phone into the toilet) if you are at all concerned about the transfer of viruses and fecal contamination.
The main concern, we touch the loo seat, flush handle, the loo roll holder, or the lock on the door, you could quite easily touch your phone before washing your hands.
However, even leaving it on the side could expose your phone to dangerous bugs such as salmonella, E. coli, and C. Difficile or even norovirus as well (1).
So you don’t want those on your phone. But, if your hands are dirty and contaminated with viruses or bacteria, and you pick up your phone after using the loo, then you will be transferring these germs and any others your hands have picked up onto the phone and then back on to your hands, even if you wash them after.
When we start the flush after pooing, the tiny droplets could drift up and land on your phone, or on a surface, your phone might touch.
The germs can then go either straight into your mouth – through nail-biting or eating crisps – or from your hands to food. They can also go onto any surface where the phone goes.
Phone can be germs friendly
Absolutely!! Phones heat up a little bit giving bacteria a nice warm environment. Hence, germs could survive up to a couple of days on your phone.
Also, if a person is handling sweets and leave a sticky coating on the phone, that’s an even better place for bacteria.
Though the level of infection is too small, you can contaminate your hands pretty badly without trying too hard.
You are putting others at risk
As you can’t get ill from your own germs, you won’t be in danger of passing yourself a bug from your own fecal matter. Yet, if you share your phone with someone then you could be passing out all the germs you picked up from the toilet.
May it your family or friends or the possibility is unavoidable that you could pick up someone else’s bug from.
The location of the toilet
If you are using your own toilet, the level of contamination might be low. Using it in your own bathroom isn’t too bad as you can’t get ill from your own fecal bacteria. However, the risk may vary widely depending on where the toilet is.
For example, a small office may not be a problem, but a hospital or public toilets where viruses may be circulating are different. Imagine the germs floating around, taking your phone in such places risks a lot.
Hemorrhoids
In our previous write up, we have seen that spending too much time on the toilet causes pressure on your rectum and anus. As we apply pressure, the blood starts to pool and clot in the veins in your rectum or anus. Add in any straining or pushing may result in hemorrhoids.
It may result in bulging of the veins filled with blood clots. This can lead to pain, itching, and other unpleasant effects.
Studies have shown that the average bowel movement takes 12 seconds. Sometimes it does take longer, however, at maximum, you should not spend more than 10 minutes on the toilet.
Using phones in the toilet is one of the prominent reasons for spending more time. It can be a habit that may last a lifetime. One must break it immediately.
Your mind
Many of us believe that the bathroom or the toilet time is basically the only time I have for myself.
I heard people saying that going phoneless, staring at the wall for five to 10 minutes, finishing as fast as they could, and then leaving… it makes the poop a lot more boring (2).
On top of it, if you are habitual to the phone, people find it scary being with their own thoughts. They may feel like something missing. They don’t love it.
The wastage of time
I have seen many professionals using a phone or any other gadget in the toilet to get some work done. But, don’t you think it is one of the biggest wastage of your resource i.e. TIME?
If I could finish the task in 5 minutes – but end up losing extra 15 minutes for doing it, is a loss for me. Point to be noted.
But, I do understand that a phoneless bathroom trip is much easier said than done. Here find some tricks to avoid phoneless trips.
Tricks
Taking your phone in the toilet is not a bad idea either. But we have to consider its CONS. Here, sharing some of the tricks to get over the habit. You may find it useful too.
- Basically, don’t forget to wash your hands, and you should be fine. We are always obsessed with cleanliness and worrying so much we harm ourselves – when the real thing we need to worry about is dirty hands. So basically, don’t forget the soap and water and you should be fine.
- Having a few minutes of nothingness in a day is worthwhile! We have to learn to be OK being alone with our thoughts, again.
- Instead of taking your phones to the loo, start taking the daily tabloids again. The newspapers and magazines are much more hygienic as you don’t reuse them and they are scrapped off in a day. Or, take nothing.
- If there is a need of taking your phone to the toilet, use one hand which you are not going to use while in there. Don’t touch anything else with that hand. Before leaving the toilet, put your phone in your pocket or handbag and then wash both hands thoroughly.
Use your other hand to perform all toilet-activities. I assume you got the point, right?
If you are left-handed, you can hold your phone in your right hand to free up your left hand for the job or vice versa.
- It is best not to put your phone down on the toilet roll holder or any shelf that might be there. Instead, put it back in your pocket or inside your bag when it’s time to clean yourself – but make sure the bag is on a hook rather than the floor.
- Keep your toilet smelling fresh with air fresheners, purifiers, or some natural remedies.
- Today, many of the toilets are having a flush system. Theoretically, the spray could travel around six feet from the flush. That’s why you shouldn’t leave your toothbrush close to the toilet.
Consult the experts if you have any challenges related to digestion, constipation, or stool consistency.
My words
- The phones or any other gadgets are costly. Or get some waterproof gadgets if available. I am talking about toilet accidents.
- Spending 15-20 minutes with an unpleasant smell, is not a good idea either.
Whatever you do, you should be focused on the task. The result will be good. The line says it all!!
I hope you may find this article worthwhile. Yet, there’s a good chance you’re reading it on the phone in the toilet.