Squatty Potties Are The Shit.

Today I’m talking about something I am very very VERY obsessed with. SQUATTY POTTIES. Everyone makes fun of me for this, but I couldn’t give a shit.

See what I did there? So punny.

Before I start, I need to warn you — if you’re uncomfortable with poop talk, then this is not the place for you. I am overly comfortable discussing pooping, so I’m going to be straightforward about it.

I have an obsession with digestive health not only because digestive issues have been such a large part of my life, but also because I truly believe that healthy digestion is the foundation for overall health. The majority of your immune system is in your gut, and what happens in your digestive system affects the way your brain functions. Pretty much every disease is somehow related to digestive health, whether you realize it or not.

Anyways, besides all the internal microbial digestive lining ish, a very important part of digestive health is proper elimination. Modern toilets are not ideal for pooping because they require us to sit. Our bodies were designed to squat! When you squat, everything is angled properly so that you can poop easily. When you’re sitting on the toilet, the anorectal angle is off, so things aren’t lined up right. This can lead to constipation, straining, hemorrhoids, and bloating.

You’d be surprised how many people are constipated literally just because their bodies aren’t at the correct angle when they’re pooping. If constipation isn’t a good enough reason to start squatting, then let’s talk about some of the more intense negative effects of sitting on the toilet instead of squatting.

First of all, straining when pooping can lead to hemorrhoids. If you don’t know what hemorrhoids are, use google. You don’t want hemorrhoids. Also, if your body isn’t at the right angle when you’re pooping, some poop won’t make its way out of your body. That fecal matter can build up in your colon and eventually cause colon cancer.

Pelvic floor disorders are becoming more and more common in today’s world. Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when the muscles in that area become weak, which is what happens when you sit on the toilet to poop, and can lead to constipation and/or uncontrollable bowel movements. No one wants that. Even peeing is easier when you squat instead of sit on the toilet because your body is finally in the right position to LET IT ALL OUT. Goodbye, UTIs!

If you’ve never heard of a squatty potty, then I’m very glad you’re reading this. You need to get one. A squatty potty is a little stool you place on the floor around your toilet. You put your feet on top of the squatty potty when you sit on the toilet, and it angles your body so that you’re in a squatting position. You can get a 7 or 9-inch squatty potty. I currently have a 7-inch one because the toilet in my apartment is pretty low to the ground, but I’m going to order the 9-inch soon and see how it goes.

I heard about squatty potties for the first time a long time ago, but I didn’t believe it would make that much of a difference. Then I listened to this episode of The Model Health Show podcast with Shawn Stevenson, and it scared the crap out of me. (I can’t help it with the puns…) After learning about the many dangers of using traditional toilets longterm, I immediately ordered myself a squatty potty. I do not want hemorrhoids, colon cancer, or any other “butt problems.”

I’ll admit, I was very skeptical about it. But after using the squatty potty for a few months now…I’M OBSESSED. It’s worth the hype. This will seriously change your pooping situation forever. I don’t care who you are, you need this. Whether or not you struggle with constipation, everyone will benefit from investing in a squatty potty.

I tell everyone about how great my squatty potty is, and they laugh at me. Then they try it and shyly ask me where they can buy one. My mom visited me a few weekends ago and made fun of me all weekend long for my squatty potty. I told her, “Just try it, then we’ll see what you think.” I never knew if she tried it or not, but then last week I got a text that said, “Where can I buy a squatty potty?”

HA!

In sum, squatty potties are a great investment for your health. A very important one. Buy one for yourself, your family, your friends…EVERYONE. My roommates are already planning to buy their families squatty potties for Christmas. I’M SO PROUD.

Give it a try, and then let me know what you think. You’re welcome.