The stresses of life, especially work life can sometimes seem unending. But there is no getting away from it, we need to work in order to live, right? So when your entire day is packed with meetings, deadlines and responding to emails, it leaves very little space for anything else. In addition to that, if you suffer from incontinence, being at work can be unbearable and you could find yourself counting down the minutes until it's home time.
The embarrassment and fear can create such a strain on you because you are constantly anxious and stressed out about either leaking or because of your constant need to go to the toilet.
Despite all of these challenges, incontinence does not have to limit who you are or what you are able to accomplish in your career.
And we want to help you, in this article, we will provide you with tips that you can use to manage your incontinence effectively and confidently within the workplace.
10 Tips On Managing Incontinence At Work
1. Talk it Out
It is not likely to come up in a conversation around the office water cooler, like, “Hey, I have incontinence.” But letting key people, such as your manager or supervisor know, can help you let go of some of your stress and abate any fear. Remember there is nothing to be ashamed of. Have an open discussion and explain to them that the frequent bathroom breaks are in fact necessary and related to your medical condition. Your manager or supervisor can also advise you if your company has any accommodations for incontinence.
2. What to Wear
Wearing darker coloured clothing can help conceal any accidents that might happen. The darker hues typically appear dry even if they are wet, so if you were to leak, it would go unnoticed. Additionally, try to go for loose pants or dresses if you are wearing incontinence products, this may make them less detectable. Lastly, avoid complicated clothing, like tight zippers or lots of buttons. Go for clothes that fit comfortably so that you can take them off easily when necessary.
3. Have a Back-Up Plan
Being prepared and having a solid backup plan will help reduce your stress and provide you with a sense of security and confidence. So, just in case, keep a change of clothes and underwear close at hand. Ideally, you will want to try to keep your backup outfit similar to the one you’re currently wearing so it’s not that obvious if you do have to change. Also, make sure you have extra incontinence wear as well as any other accessories you may need, packed and ready for whenever you may need them.
4. Regular Bathroom Breaks
It is so important to plan regular bathroom breaks as best you can. So try to slot in a few minutes every 2 hours. This is often a better strategy than waiting until the urge hits and you may not be able to make it, increasing the chances of a leak. Also, keep in mind that if your bladder is not empty, you will feel the urge to relieve yourself more often.
5. Make time to Move
Sitting at your desk all day can amplify your incontinence issues as the blood in your body doesn't circulate as efficiently as it should, which may affect the nerve and muscle function around your bladder.
Try to get in the habit of regularly standing for a few minutes or going for a walk away from your desk. There are simple ways to get you used to the habit of taking more breaks: set a reminder to go off on the hour, or better still, take a quick stroll whenever you have to use the bathroom.
6. Keep up with your Kegels
Kegel exercises are so important, they strengthen the muscles that support your bladder, and strong pelvic floor muscles can help you manage leaks, substantially. Bonus, you can do them anywhere, anytime, even while sitting at your desk.
7. Choose Liquids Carefully
Keep in mind that when you are dealing with incontinence drinking the right amount of fluids is vital. Drinking more water does not exasperate your problem, but in fact, it can actually alleviate it. However, you should consider cutting down on beverages such as coffee and tea. As these contain caffeine which compounds incontinence issues by irritating the bladder and making the urinary flow more frequent and more intense. It’s a good idea to keep a water bottle on your desk and set a water drinking goal for yourself. Consider getting a motivational water bottle, as it will help nudge you to keep sipping all day.
8. Be Mindful of your Medication
There are certain medications that aggravate urinary incontinence. If you’re taking any medication, prescribed or over-the-counter, it would be advisable to discuss them with your doctor at your next visit. They can review the side effects and decide whether a change in dosage or a different type of medicine might help.
9. Watch What you Eat
Lunchtime and snacking during the day can be tricky, as food that are too spicy or acidic can also irritate your bladder, which could lead to leaks. As a general rule, take note of any foods that make your symptoms worse, and try to keep a healthy, balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients.
10. Take Care of your Mental Health
Between long hours, built-up stress, heavy workload, and dealing with incontinence it’s bound to take its toll on your mental wellbeing. Taking care of yourself mentally is one of the most important things you can do for your health and wellness. It’s been proven that continuous work pressure can be directly associated with disruptions of bowel and bladder movement. Take a few moments in your day to do some mindful breathing exercises, it will help to calm and relax you. When you are focused and in a controlled state, your body will also react appropriately, and this could minimise leaks.
Make the Right Choice For You
Choose the right products to manage your incontinence. At Drypers, we stock a wide range of incontinence wear will help you feel confident and you can be certain that leaks will be the last of your problems in the workplace. You can
shop online here for an extensive range of adult incontinence products and accessories, which are right just for you.
Our Adult Range have great solutions to assist with Incontinence. Buy Adult Nappies from only R70 per pack or purchase Adult pull-ups from only R75 per pack if you prefer. We also stock a range of wet wipes and tissues and Bendliners and Linen Savers for your convinence.
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