How Long It Should Take You to Poop (And What to Do if You're Having Problems)

We all have our own bathroom rituals, but researchers (that means they’re smart) have determined exactly how long it should take you to do your business.

Photo Credit: Flickr, Jessie Pearl

These brainiacs studied 34 different species of mammals pooping and determined that, regardless of size, it takes mammals an average of 12 seconds to get ‘er done.

Photo Credit: Flickr, Joshua Ganderson

In the wild, animals want to go quickly because their survival might depend on it. According to lead researcher Patricia Yang, “The smell of body waste attracts predators, which is dangerous for animals. If they stay longer doing their thing, they’re exposing themselves and risking being discovered.”

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Now back to us humans. Apparently, that 12-second rule applies to us as well. If you’re having trouble going to the bathroom, there are a multitude of possible causes, including stress, diet, medication, etc. But there are also some very simple solutions to get everything moving again.

Photo Credit: Flickr, lilszeto

Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day – it keeps those intestines nice and slippery. Eat more fiber, focus on fruits and veggies, and limit your meat and dairy intake. Finally, get some damn exercise. I know it’s easy to make excuses, but you need to get moving! Get that heart rate going because movement will help your movements!