Many people wake up and immediately start with their obligations, without giving their body time to "wake up." However, the digestive system functions best when the body is relaxed. If you are under stress or in a hurry, it can make bowel movements difficult.
Gastroenterologist Wendi LeBrett shared her best advice with Eating Well for those who want to develop better toilet habits in the morning.
"I think many of us have those morning routines where we wake up and then within 15 minutes we're rushing out the door. It's important to rest, digest food, and give ourselves time to have a bowel movement. Waking up a bit earlier can be helpful," she states.
Not giving yourself enough time in the morning can cause constipation. If you set your alarm for the latest possible time, you may feel the need to "hold in" stool, which could lead to constipation. Instead of sleeping longer, go to bed earlier.
"Something I like to do is, when I wake up, take five deep breaths from my stomach while still in bed. This helps relax the pelvic floor, wakes up the intestines, and gets things moving. Adding five to ten minutes of steps to your morning routine—stomach breathing, stretching, or a quick walk—that little bit of movement can make a big difference compared to getting out of bed and just rushing out the door," she says.
Another thing that can help you become more regular is choosing a morning drink. We all know coffee can help, but any warm sip is effective.
"Drinking warm water in the morning can actually be a very effective way to get things going, sort of waking up your digestive system," explains LeBrett.