Stop making these common mistakes in the washroom immediately. Harvard gastro specialist warns it could ruin your gut health

Most of us treat our bathroom time like a small escape from the world—scrolling, thinking, or even catching up on texts while sitting on the toilet. But what seems harmless might actually be hurting your gut and overall health. According to Harvard-trained gastro specialist Dr Saurabh Sethi, many of our daily washroom habits are quietly messing with digestion, bowel movements, and even long-term gut health. The good news? A few small changes can make a big difference.

Worst washroom habits
Dr Sethi shared some of the worst washroom habits people need to drop immediately. These include straining too hard, scrolling endlessly on the toilet, overusing wipes, spraying strong air fresheners, and ignoring the urge to go. He also warns against reading or working inside, depending on laxatives too often, holding your breath while pushing, taking “just in case” trips, and ignoring signs like blood in stool or urine.



Scrolling on your phone while on the toilet is bad for your health?
Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, trained at CMC Vellore, had shared research highlighting a surprising health risk—using smartphones in the toilet. Citing a study published in PLOS One, he explained that spending extra time sitting due to scrolling increases pressure in the rectal veins, raising the risk of haemorrhoids by up to 46%. The study found that two out of three adults take their phones to the bathroom, with users five times more likely to sit for over five minutes. Dr Trisha Pasricha, senior author of the study, warned that smartphones quietly turn quick breaks into long sessions. Her advice: leave your phone outside—or if you must, swap it for a short magazine read instead.


Good washroom habits to practise

On the other hand, the best washroom habits can actually support better gut function. Dr Sethi recommends stepping on a small stool while using a western commode for smoother bowel movements, keeping your cleaning gentle, observing stool changes regularly, and washing hands properly. He also advises keeping toilet time under five minutes, maintaining regular timing, staying hydrated, eating more fibre, relaxing instead of rushing, and keeping the bathroom calm and tidy.