Dr Parveen Singh
In the good old days, before the advent of modern toilets, people squatted on traditional pits, a posture that naturally aided gut clearance. But then came the English commode-comfortable, yes, but not as efficient for digestion. And as if that wasn’t enough, technology added fuel to the fire: the mobile phone. What was once a quick, functional activity became an extended, distracted, and often unhealthy ritual. Then, to make matters worse, a new dependency emerged-just like some people once needed a cigarette to “build pressure” for their morning routine, now, many cannot relieve themselves without their mobile phones in hand.
“Jisme socha sukoon milega, wahi pareshaani ban gaya,
Jo jaga tha akela kaam karne, ab wahan bhi mehfil jam gaya.”
(The place meant for peace became a cause of trouble,
The spot for solitude is now crowded with distractions.)
Meet Rajat, a young corporate professional who, like many, never enters the bathroom without his phone. What started as a harmless habit soon became a daily ordeal-spending twenty to thirty minutes on the toilet, lost in the abyss of social media, memes, and endless scrolling. He ignored the warning signs-numbness in the legs, occasional constipation, and even hemorrhoids. Over time, his gut suffered as he no longer paid attention to the natural rhythm of his body; instead, his focus was on emails and viral videos. The bathroom, once a place for quick relief, had turned into an entertainment hub at the cost of his health.
Before the era of mobile phones, the simple act of relieving oneself was a focused activity. People went in, finished their business, and left. But with mobile phones, the bathroom experience has changed drastically. Studies show that prolonged sitting on the toilet increases pressure on rectal veins, leading to painful conditions like anal fissures, hemorrhoids, and even chronic constipation. The body’s natural urge to evacuate is often delayed as people get engrossed in their screens, making bowel movements irregular and more difficult over time. The lack of proper posture, which was somewhat corrected in the traditional squatting position, has only worsened with prolonged sitting on an English toilet while being glued to a screen.
Adding to this is the unseen horror-bacteria. When you flush, a cloud of germs rises up to 5-10 feet in the air, landing on every exposed surface, including your mobile phone. The device you later press against your face is now covered with invisible pathogens, increasing the risk of infections. Research has found that mobile phones often carry more bacteria than toilet seats themselves, yet people mindlessly use them while eating, without a second thought about the invisible threats they are exposing themselves to.
Apart from physical health, the psychological effects of this habit are alarming. The bathroom, which was once a place of solitude and self-reflection, has turned into a battleground of notifications, social media updates, and endless content consumption. Instead of allowing the mind to relax, this constant engagement with screens promotes compulsive behavior, reduces mindfulness, and adds unnecessary stress. The mental distraction also makes people less aware of their body’s needs, often making bowel movements incomplete or strained.
The connection between multitasking on the toilet and gut health is also concerning. The process of digestion and excretion is heavily influenced by the gut-brain axis. The body requires proper coordination between signals from the brain and the gut for smooth bowel movements. However, when one is busy replying to emails or watching videos, the mind is distracted, disrupting this natural process. Over time, this leads to sluggish digestion, irregular bowel habits, and an increased likelihood of developing gastrointestinal disorders.
Doctors have started seeing a rise in health issues linked to prolonged toilet use with mobile phones. Issues like chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and even weakened pelvic floor muscles have become more common. Moreover, excessive smartphone usage in the bathroom often results in prolonged exposure to unnatural seating postures, which contributes to lower back pain and spinal problems.
It is not just the time spent in the bathroom but also the habit of prioritizing screen time over bodily functions that has led to these issues. Many people continue scrolling even after their bowel movement is complete, unnecessarily extending their time on the toilet. This excessive sitting has been linked to circulatory issues, including an increased risk of developing blood clots in the legs due to prolonged inactivity.
What’s worse, this habit has seeped into social behavior as well. People have become so dependent on their phones that they cannot even spend five minutes alone in a bathroom without them. The psychological dependence on mobile phones has created a scenario where individuals feel anxious or restless if they don’t have their devices with them at all times. This has led to an unhealthy attachment to technology, further exacerbating stress and reducing the ability to disconnect and unwind.
So, what is the solution? It’s simple: reclaim the bathroom for its original purpose.
“Ek lamha kahan se laaun, jo sirf mera ho?”
(Where can I find a moment that belongs only to me?).
Ditch the phone, focus on completing the task at hand, and restore the natural balance of your body. Limit bathroom time to five to ten minutes and resist the temptation to carry your phone inside. Practicing mindfulness while relieving oneself can lead to better gut health, improved digestion, and a significant reduction in stress levels.
The transition might seem difficult at first, but the benefits are undeniable. Rajat, after experiencing the painful consequences of his habit, finally decided to make a change. He began leaving his phone outside the bathroom, focusing on his bodily needs, and completing his business within minutes instead of lingering unnecessarily. Within a few weeks, he noticed improvements-his gut health improved, his hemorrhoid symptoms subsided, and he felt more present in the moment. What he thought was a harmless habit had, in reality, been silently harming him all along.
The bathroom is meant to be a place for relief, not recreation. By leaving the phone outside, you can not only improve your digestive health but also enhance overall well-being. The small act of resisting phone usage in the bathroom can lead to long-term health benefits, both physically and mentally. It’s time to flush away bad habits and embrace healthier ones. Let the bathroom be just a bathroom, and not another screen zone.
“Fursat milay to khud ko samajhna shuru karna, tumhare siwa yahan koi dukhon ka mara nahi.”
(If you ever find free time, try to understand yourself, no one else suffers your troubles for you.)
(The author is Associate Professor, Department of Computer Sciences GDC Udhampur)
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