Let’s be honest: I’m probably the ultimate homebody. There’s truly no place I’d rather be than in my comfy pajamas, snuggled up in my favorite, well-worn sweater, right in my own space. It’s where I can genuinely unwind and be myself. Sure, I venture out occasionally for city escapades or fun days at the park with my kids, but give me a choice, and I’ll almost always opt to stay in. In fact, I’ve even made the conscious decision to work from home, as it perfectly matches my personality.
But here’s my little secret: one reason I shy away from long vacations is because I get incredibly constipated when I’m away from home. Seriously, I can’t manage to go at all. It’s like my body has hit the pause button, and the brownies just sit there, overcooked and never making their grand exit.
I first noticed this peculiar predicament while vacationing with my husband and his family at his grandma’s house in Florida. I went an entire week without a single trip to the bathroom. Yep, seven whole days. I thought it was due to my diet, so I tried adding more fruits and veggies, but that only made me gassier and more bloated. It was downright uncomfortable. Yet, the moment I stepped back into my home, my body was ready to relieve itself—like a giant dookie pie waiting to be delivered.
Now, I should mention I have IBS, which can be quite severe, so it makes sense that my digestive system reacts strongly to being away from my familiar bathroom. Thankfully, not every vacation leads to such a constipation crisis, but I still find it challenging to let things flow when I’m out and about.
Interestingly, there’s a scientific explanation behind this, so I’m not just some oddball. In fact, many people experience this same struggle. As Nick Thompson, a psychology professor at the University of Melbourne, explains, “Most individuals feel more at ease using the restroom in familiar, private settings.” This relates to comfort and the ability to relax in a safe environment. It’s somewhat akin to a Pavlovian response, where home signals the right place to let it all go.
Jack Roberts, a professor of surgery at the University of Chicago, adds more detail to this phenomenon. He notes that upon returning home, various physiological changes occur, such as shifts in glucose tolerance and adrenaline levels, which can impact digestion. These factors all influence how quickly food moves through the gut.
It’s comforting to realize I’m not a total anomaly and that there’s a solid reason behind my bathroom reluctance. Curiously, I have one exception to this home-only rule: whenever I’m shopping, I feel an urgent need to find the nearest restroom. I once wrote about how shopping at CVS specifically triggers this response, and I still receive messages from others who experience the same thing.
Bodies are strange, and our digestive systems are even stranger. If you find that you can only drop anchor in the comfort of your own home, know that you’re certainly not alone. For more insights and humor on this topic, check out this post on our blog.
In summary, many people struggle with being able to use the restroom only in their own familiar spaces, often due to comfort and physiological responses. If you’re part of this club, take solace in the fact that you’re in good company.
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