To pee or not to pee — either way, you may be doing it wrong. Dr. Sara Reardon, a physical therapist, recently revealed what you shouldn’t be doing when you pee, as she issued a stark warning about how urinating incorrectly can cause bladder issues and even UTIs. Dr. Reardon’s advice is not to push when you pee. “You need to sit still and chill and just let it flow, and only go when you have the urge to go.” She went on to explain that your bladder is a muscle that pushes the urine out for you. She warns not to pee “just in case” every time you run across a bathroom, because that will cause your bladder to shrink and then you’ll have to go all the time. “It’s normal to urinate every two to four hours during the day, and up to twice at night,” said Dr. Reardon. You should be able to hold it for at least two hours and it should be almost clear. According to the National Association for Continence, the best way to empty your bladder is to take a deep breath, fully relax, and sit up properly on the toilet — no hovering. This helps the pelvis to relax, making the process easier. “The most important thing is not to strain during the process,” said Dr. Reardon.
