***This is in no way medical advice, so please be sure to talk to your medical provider about your concerns or questions, should you have any.***

One of the most important things we do daily is going to the bathroom. When travelling, this can become a bit difficult, not only if you have to find a washroom, but if you have trouble going once you get there.

So why do we have shy bowels and bladders and how can we make sure we still answer natures call regularly, while we travel?

Let’s start with why you can’t go.

Stress, new environments, time changes, change of routine and unfamiliarity can all be causes of constipation or a lack of bowel movements (or diarrhea).

When we get to a new, unfamiliar environment, we are often uncomfortable whether we know it or not. A change in our typical schedule can throw us off in many ways, including our sleep patterns, our bathroom habits and even how often we eat.

Often, these changes cause our body to stop working the way it typically does when we’re following a regular routine.

Now that we know what causes the backups, what can you do to prevent them?

Many of the things we do on vacation will throw off our schedule, which can be a good thing in some ways.

I typically walk or hike quite a bit, meaning I keep moving, which can help our bowels. I also drink plenty of water and try to have a probiotic like a bottle of Kombucha, though many would rather have yogurt, which works great too. And much like while we’re at home, eating plenty of fibre-rich foods, as well as fruits and vegetables, help us to digest foods and excrete the rest.

Another thing that can help is rest. With all the extra movement, making sure you rest enough is another essential factor in maintaining a regular schedule as far as toilet time goes. Ensuring you get enough sleep is critical to your health overall, as well as your bowel movements. You should also try to relax, not even in the vacation sense, but in the rigid sense. When people are nervous or anxious, they will generally have diarrhea or constipation. Relaxing will help to ensure you’re not at either extreme, but somewhere in the middle that’s a little easier to deal with.

A last resort if you’re still having trouble is to talk to your doctor. Asking about taking things like magnesium or other supplements could potentially help you, but talking to your doctor is essential because they might tell you that something else is going on that might be preventing you from going, to begin with.

Now that we’ve armed ourselves with a few tools to keep things moving, how much, and how often should you be going to the bathroom?

While most people have a general schedule of when they go to the washroom, like before work or before going to bed, we don’t always go the same amount every day. Some days you may only go once, while some people only go every three days (yeah, really, I was shocked too).

Most sources I found agree that people should generally be going once a day.

That can vary based on numerous factors, like age and activity level, and generally, the stool should be soft and easy to pass. That may not always be the case if you’re on vacation and are eating new foods or are nervous, among other factors, as we just found out.

I hope that answers a few of your questions about going while on vacation, if you have any questions or concerns please contact a medical professional and discuss with them, you should not be relying on Dr. Google if your having trouble in any way.