Holidays are a wonderful time to gather together with friends and family to celebrate the season. And, it can also be a stressful time if you are dealing with bladder leakage and urgency. 

Here are some practical tips to make it easier for you to manage bladder issues during this time of year: 

  • Increase your water intake. Alcohol consumption can increase during this time with parties and gatherings. While enjoying a festive drink, remember alcohol is irritating to the bladder lining and can increase bladder urgency. The good news is you can reduce this effect by diluting the alcohol with enough benign fluid such as water to keep urgent bathroom incidents (or leaks) less likely. 
  • Sit and relax on the “throne.” Make sure you sit down on the toilet and avoid hovering over the seat. Fully relaxing by sitting helps the bladder completely empty, which is best for your bladder health and reduces frequency.  
  • Balance those sweets. In this season there are a lot of sugary treats that celebrate the holidays. Be sure to include foods in your diet that are rich in fiber to help stay regular, as constipation can put additional pressure on the bladder. 
  • Prepare for travel. Travel can disrupt our normal routines. Structure in bathroom breaks, carry necessary supplies of extra pads and clothing so those are readily available if needed, and be sure to stay hydrated.  
  • Take time to honor your self with some self-care TLC. Often this season can be stressful with all the things that the holidays bring. Being stressed or having increased anxiety can worsen bladder urgency. Changes in routine also may make time for ourselves less available. Take a walk, eat healthy, even just sitting with your eyes closed and breathing deeply for 5 minutes can give you a valuable moment of calm that you may need during this time.  

Feeling frustrated with your bladder leakage and urgency? Give yourself the gift of learning strategies and exercises to change the way your bladder has been functioning. Consider that this holiday season may be the last one where you need to wear pads. Then your focus can be on the joy of the season.  

Happy holidays!