Is stripping down to poop naked… normal? Well, it all depends on what your definition of normal is. But I’ll bet if you surveyed your family and friends you would soon find that several of them (mostly men) prefer to strip down to their birthday suit each time they poop. Whether for health, cleanliness or comfort, here’s why you should consider pooping au naturel.
Is it weird to poop naked?
Bathroom habits are generally formed around ages three to five. After that, we rarely see another human pooping. So, whatever you’re doing behind closed doors may seem normal to you. But the fact is, what’s normal for you could be abnormal for another. Take for instance removing one’s clothing before going “number two.” For some, being naked and pooping goes together like peanut butter and jelly. Yet, for your friends (or spouse) the act may seem a tad strange. But, there are benefits to taking a poop naked. And here are some you may want to consider.
Clothing can restrict blood flow
Poop, in simplest terms, is your body’s natural way of expelling waste and toxins, which are the usable nutrients from food. Pooping digested waste involves many aspects of your body including blood flow, according to Dr. Josh Axe. Tight clothing, particularly shapewear from Spanx and CrossFit compression tops squish, squeeze and sculpt the body, suggests the LA Times. But when it comes to your bathroom breaks, wearing tight tops that restrict the abdomen, or pants around the legs, could restrict blood flow. And that means a less than optimal poop.
Poop like nature intended
Bowel movements should be effortless. Many experts agree, the only natural posture for pooping is squatting, which aligns the recto-anal angle to provide smooth bowel elimination. But, since that position is often unmanageable for Westerners, leaning forward to eliminate is the next best thing. The problem is, when you’re encumbered by clothing, the position you poop in could be compromised. So, go ahead and poop like nature intended. Remove your clothes and squat (if you can) or lean in. Elimination will be faster, easier and more complete. This will help prevent “fecal stagnation,” a prime factor in colon cancer, appendicitis and inflammatory bowel disease, suggests Nature’s Platform.
When you poop naked, it’s more relaxing
Before you place your butt down on the toilet you automatically pull your pants or shorts down below your knees, right? Consider taking a poop naked — at least from the waist down. This will send your body a signal that it’s time to relax your sphincters and produce a bowel movement. According to Dr. Anthony Komaroff for Share Care, when you’re relaxed, you relax the puborectalis muscle and both the internal and external sphincters.
When you poop naked, it makes cleanup a breeze
The messy truth about pooping is that cleanup is not always a breeze. Pooping naked offers you a quick and tidy option to move from toilet to shower. Cleanliness is absolutely imperative to good health. In fact, according to Karen Foster, a holistic nutritionist for PreventDisease.com, keeping these areas clean and healthy provides the following benefits:
- It lowers your risk for developing colorectal cancer.
- It lowers your risk of experiencing irritable bowel syndrome.
- It lowers your risk of developing chronic constipation and chronic diarrhea.
- It lowers your risk of developing hemorrhoids.
- You will experience less gas.
- You will absorb water and minerals more efficiently.
- You’ll feel lighter and more comfortable.
When you poop naked, it is freeing and less stressful
Being naked is a very freeing experience in the comfort of your own space. Feeling free means feeling less stressed. According to Dr. Josh Axe, ongoing stress makes it difficult for many people to go to the bathroom properly. Your brain and gut have a very close relationship, says Dr. Axe. They communicate how you are feeling back and forth to each other. In fact, Irritable bowel syndrome is closely correlated with high levels of stress.
When you allow stress into your bathroom breaks you suppress bowel movements, which can cause chronic constipation and straining, suggests Gut Sense. Straining may go on to further cause enlarged internal hemorrhoids and anorectal nerve damage.
Clothing should be optional
Naked pooping may or may not be for you. Ultimately, the decision is all yours to embrace or reject. But for some people, being in your own space sans clothes while doing your business is the ultimate in comfort. So, the next time nature calls and you feel the primal urge to remove your clothing, go ahead. Not only can it contribute to your health and wellness, but for some, it’s also the most natural way to poop.
— Katherine Marko