Are You A 'Temporal' Or 'Locational' Pooper?
Are You A Temporal Or Locational Pooper? Knowing Could Help You Avoid Constipation
Chronic idiopathic constipation is no joke. Affecting between 9% and 20% of Americans, it’s more than just an occasional inconvenience; it’s a persistent issue that can cause infrequent, difficult, or unsatisfying bowel movements. And while plenty of medical factors can contribute to this condition, experts say some of it may come down to something surprisingly simple—when and where we prefer to poop.
According to gastroenterologists Dr. Kyle Staller of Massachusetts General Hospital and Dr. Benjamin Levy of the University of Chicago, bathroom habits are more nuanced than we often admit. According to the duo, there are two types of poopers, and depending on which one you are, going to the loo can be a complete hassle or require serious timing to produce a good and healthy bowel movement.
1. The Temporal Pooper
Temporal poopers are creatures of habit. They don’t just go when nature calls, they go when the clock calls. Morning? Post-lunch? Before bed? There’s a window, and if they miss it, they’re stuck waiting until the next scheduled opportunity.
Dr. Staller explains that this isn’t random. Our digestive systems follow a circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle that regulates various biological processes in our bodies. Overnight, the colon quiets down. But once we’re awake—and especially after we eat—the gastrocolic reflex kicks in, prompting those all-too-familiar bowel urges. For some people, this rhythm becomes so predictable that the brain starts to anticipate it. The result? If you’re not in that “poop o’clock” window, the urge often just doesn’t come.
The good news? Missing your usual time isn’t a crisis. As Dr. Staller pointed out during an interview with SELF published April 30, “Some people poop multiple times a day, and that’s considered normal. Others will only go three times a week, and that’s also normal.”
2. The Locational Pooper
The second type of popper is the locational pooper. These folks don’t care what time it is, it’s all about where they are. If it’s not home turf, it’s a no-go. Public restrooms, office stalls, or a friend’s sparkling-clean guest bathroom? Forget it.
Why? Dr. Levy says the root is often poop anxiety, a common but rarely talked-about issue. For some, it’s the fear of being overheard, judged, or simply feeling exposed, for doing the “doo” in public. For others, it’s about cleanliness and comfort. Dr. Levy told SELF that there are people “who have a fear of defecating in unfamiliar places because of the cleanliness.” Either way, stress gets in the way, making it physically harder to go.
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How do you break these bad pooping habits in the bathroom?
Thankfully, there are ways to break these stressful habits. Whether you’re time-bound or location-sensitive, the first step is realizing that everyone poops (yes, really). But if your habits are interfering with your life or gut health, here are a few expert-approved tips to help you loosen up.
To make going in unfamiliar places a little easier, start by creating a sense of privacy. Pooping while wearing your earbuds can help drown out background noise and ease self-consciousness. Music isn’t just a distraction, it can actually help relax your body, which, according to science, can make it easier to go.
Next, be strategic about your choice of stall. If you’re in a public place or at work, opt for one that’s farther from the entrance or even on a different floor to reduce the chances of running into people you know. Finally, practicing mindfulness techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or grounding exercises can help lower anxiety and make you feel more at ease, no matter where you are. Make sure to pack extra tissue or disinfecting wipes to clean the toilet if cleanliness is an issue.
Pooping is a deeply personal, highly individual experience, and there’s no “right” way to do it, regardless if you are a locational or temporal pooper. But understanding your own patterns can help you work with your body, not against it. And if you’re one of the millions dealing with constipation, don’t overlook the power of timing and setting. A little self-awareness might be the secret weapon your digestive system’s been waiting for.
So, are you a temporal or locational pooper?
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