18 Pooping Tricks That Actually Work

    Most of them have to do with what you eat.

    Michelle No
    by Michelle No

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We asked the BuzzFeed Community for their best pooping tips. The results were surprising, helpful, and sometimes weird. Here are people's best advice on how to poop:

    1. Start your morning with a glass of hot water mixed with lemon juice and a dash of ginger.

    Udra / Getty Images

    "What helps for me is hot water, lemon, and a dash of ground ginger in the morning before eating anything."

    —cousiny

    2. Try a foot massage.

    Mheim3011 / Getty Images

    "This might sound silly but apart from the obvious tricks (staying hydrated, getting a foot stool to squat), try a foot massage! It really surprisingly gets things going."

    —ginnytheweasley

    And by the way, using massage for constipation relief is definitely a thing.

    3. ...Or a belly massage.

    San Jose Earthquakes / Via giphy.com

    "Give your belly a massage. Lay on your back and go round on different points from under your stomach to just above your pubic bone. Try to push a bit, so your bowels are activated. Wait for a bit and there you go."

    —laurav435c969fa

    4. Mix up a magic yogurt recipe consisting of chia seeds and fruit.

    Losinstantes / Getty Images

    "I make jam-size mason jars of Greek yogurt, chia seeds, blueberries, and a little agave at the beginning of each week and eat one every day for breakfast. Every day, like clockwork, about an hour after the magic yogurt, I get one of those magical, earth-shattering shits where I feel ten pounds lighter. Every time."

    —lizm4075643b7

    5. Drink milk kefir, a fermented milk drink you can even make yourself.

    Dulezidar / Getty Images

    "Milk kefir is the best, and helps with both my acid reflux and IBS. When I drink this I poop up to three times a day."

    —ninamoe

    You can also buy it in stores.

    6. Try popping some fiber-friendly fruits, like blackberries.

    Diana Taliun / Getty Images

    "Blackberries have a lot of fiber in them, so eating a serving of them always works for me."

    —paytony2

    7. ...or strawberries! Have them on their own or with oatmeal.

    Solovyova / Getty Images

    "Strawberries! Full of fiber and really tasty."

    —eleanorh44bb646f7

    8. If you're having a case of the runs, you can also temporarily look into the BRAT diet.

    Lia Buffa / Getty Images

    —jabbathefluff

    The BRAT diet traditionally consists of Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. You can read up on this solution here.

    9. If you're looking for a gentle, over-the-counter laxative, try Miralax.

    10. Get the cult favorite Squatty Potty.

    11. Use yoga blocks — or any other stable, elevated surface — in lieu of a Squatty Potty.

    Igor_kell / Getty Images

    "I use yoga blocks to prop my feet up instead of shelling out lots of money on a squatty potty. I find it does help to get in a squatting position."

    —crankylibrarian

    12. If elevating your legs doesn't help, you can also try other positions like simply lifting them in the air.

    Sesame Workshop

    "Other than consumables, leaning on my back and lifting my legs in the air, or sitting in a very tight squatting position gets things moving."

    —lanebucklerstu

    13. Sip on some dandelion tea.

    amazon.com

    "Dandelion tea gives me a nice, soft, morning poop."

    —WhiteTigerCav

    14. ...Or try mixing Calm into your water.

    amazon.com

    "I second Calm (flavored magnesium powder that you mix with water). I drink it every night and it seems to help."

    —laguerrotte

    15. Chew on shelled pumpkin seeds.

    Sanny11 / Getty Images

    "I have a half cup of in-shell pumpkin seeds every day. Keeps me insanely regular and makes pooping take about 2.5 seconds."

    —mrsh810

    16. Smell something fragrant while you're sitting on the toilet.

    Nickelodeon

    "My friend once time told me if you’re having trouble getting it out to try smelling something really fragrant like shampoo or a candle while you’re on the toilet. It seriously works every time!"

    —brooket484fcd5ed

    Certain smells have a laxative effect on people. Read more about the Mariko Aoki phenomenon (the bookstore poops) here.

    17. Mix some raisins into your cereal.

    Geo-grafika / Getty Images

    "My dad has a heart condition and if he exerts himself too much from pooping, his heart can stop so he takes his poops seriously. His secret: raisins. He always makes sure to have raisins with his cereal."

    —monikap6

    18. And don't forget the basics: Eat your greens and exercise or meditate when you can.

    Fizkes / Getty Images

    "Ahem, please eat your greens, and rainbow produce. Exercise if you can. Relax or meditate if you cannot."

    —nicolemorkerth

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    Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.