If you’re uncomfortable in the bathroom, you’ll probably be uncomfortable and stressed even when you’re not in the bathroom. This private, recurring experience should be as comfortable as possible for everyone.

The question is, how do you make your bathroom more comfortable?

Steps to Reducing Bathroom Discomfort: The Room

Let’s start by looking at the room itself, which can affect your comfort in many different ways.

1. Invest in a heated bidet toilet seat. A heated bidet toilet seat is a device that’s attached directly to your toilet. It’s designed to provide you with comfort in multiple areas, offering you a heated toilet seat that can keep you warm even in the coldest winters, as well as a bidet attachment that can wash your underside with water. Instead of being forced to use rough toilet paper to wipe, you can enjoy a more pleasant stream of water.

2. Get a comfy robe. Even if you don’t consider yourself much of a robe person, you might enjoy the luxury of wrapping yourself in a high-quality robe after a shower. It’s a touch of warmth and coziness that stays wrapped around you.

3. Purchase better towels and mats. People underestimate the power that towels and mats have on the overall bathroom experience. If you’re willing to spend a little extra, and shop around for the best materials, your bathroom experience could be dynamically and significantly improved. Large, soft, absorbent towels are perfect after a long, hot shower.

4. Control the climate. Take control of the climate, especially if you feel chilly in winter. Depending on your budget and the setup of your room, that could mean installing radiant floor heating, sealing the windows, or simply using a space heater. Just make sure you exercise caution when using electronic devices in the bathroom.

5. Add plants and artwork. Two of the most impactful things you can add to any room are plants and artwork. Plants make the room feel more alive, they reduce stress, and they even improve air quality. Art draws the eye, adds class to an area, and forces you to think. And since you’ll have total control over the plants and artwork you choose, you can make the room feel more like your own.

6. Introduce furniture. Not every bathroom has the space to accommodate furniture, but if you have this space, you might as well take advantage of it. Adding a comfy chair or couch could be exactly what you need for a more comfortable bathroom experience every morning.

7. Include more storage options. Storage is a scarce luxury in a bathroom; having more areas where you can store your possessions can keep the space much better organized. Consider adding more storage and organization options, such as additional shelves in tight spaces that may not be able to accommodate much.

8. Improve the smell. Bathrooms aren’t smelly all the time, but it still pays to invest in the olfactory experience of entering and dwelling in the room. Incense, candles, oil diffusers, and other products can give you a dose of aromatherapy in the morning.

9. Clean regularly and thoroughly. Finally, make it a point to clean your bathroom as regularly and thoroughly as possible. Try to wipe down the surfaces every day, and give the room a deeper cleaning at least once a week.

Steps to Reducing Bathroom Discomfort: Your Body

We can also address any bathroom discomfort you experience because of issues with relieving yourself.

10. Drink lots of water. Drinking water regularly is good for your health in many aspects, enabling you to stay hydrated and both urinate and defecate more comfortably. There isn’t a specific number of glasses of water you should aim to drink a day; just make sure you’re drinking water regularly.

11. Get more fiber. Dietary fiber is good for your digestive health, and conducive to complete bowel movements. You can get soluble and insoluble fiber from foods like whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.

12. Exercise. Getting regular physical exercise is also good for your digestive health. Get a mix of cardio and resistance training for best results.

13. Work on your posture. Bowel movement posture is a topic that most people don’t like to address – but it’s important if you want to have more comfortable, more complete bowel movements. Squatting is a top recommendation, but there are also acceptable alternatives; experiment to find which position works best for you.

If these strategies aren’t enough to make you feel physically comfortable in the bathroom, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. Your doctor will be able to identify and potentially treat any underlying issues that may be preventing you from having healthy, regular bathroom visits. 

Otherwise, keep making upgrades and positive lifestyle changes as you can to make your experience better and better.