On a busy day, between one meeting and another, or during a long trip, who has never felt the urge to go to the bathroom and thought: “just a little longer”? Delaying urination is an extremely common behavior and, most of the time, perceived as harmless. After all, it seems just a matter of self-control, a small battle won against a physiological need at an inconvenient moment. Many people take pride in their ability to “hold it” for long periods, seeing it as a sign of resilience or discipline.

However, the question we must ask ourselves is: what really happens in our body when we repeatedly ignore this warning sign? The momentary discomfort is just the tip of the iceberg. Behind this seemingly trivial act lies a complex chain of physiological events that, when frequently interrupted, can lead to serious health consequences. It is essential to understand that the urinary system operates based on a delicate balance, and ignoring its signals is like ignoring the warning light of your car’s engine.

Understanding why you should not hold your pee is the first step to abandoning a habit that can be harmful. This is not just an article about risks; it is an invitation to restore communication with your own body. Throughout this text, we will demystify what happens internally when you retain urine and detail the health problems that may arise, from the most common to the most severe, always with an evidence-based approach.

In addition to purely physical aspects, we will explore how this behavior often becomes automatic, almost a conditioned response to high-pressure environments, stress, or anxiety. Often, the habit of holding urine is not a conscious decision, but rather an automatic behavior pattern that reflects how we deal with the stimuli of our body and our environment. For the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis, understanding these patterns is crucial for promoting integral health.

Our goal is to provide clear and reliable information so that you can make more conscious decisions about your health. We believe that knowledge empowers and that habit change begins with understanding. We will show how stress and anxiety can negatively influence this and other health behaviors and how scientific approaches, such as hypnosis, can be valuable tools for health professionals seeking to help their patients regain control and well-being.

The Journey of Urine: What Happens in Your Body

Urine has a fascinating journey in our body, and understanding this process is essential to realize the importance of not holding your pee. It all starts in the kidneys, which have the crucial function of filtering the blood. They remove waste and excess water, producing urine. This urine is then directed to the ureters, which are thin tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder. Upon reaching the bladder, an elastic muscle, urine is temporarily stored until the right moment to be eliminated.

When the bladder fills up, it sends nerve signals to the brain, indicating that it’s time to go to the bathroom. This communication is a natural and fundamental mechanism for the healthy functioning of our body. Ignoring these signals, as the brain responds to the need and requests relief, should not be a common practice. This response is vital, as it ensures that the urinary system operates optimally, preventing complications and maintaining our health.

Therefore, responding to your body’s call is not only important but essential for the well-being and health of the urinary system.

The Concrete Risks of Ignoring the Call of Nature

Holding urine may seem like a simple and harmless action in some situations. However, repeatedly ignoring the call of nature brings serious consequences for health and well-being. Below are some of the main risks associated with this habit:

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Urine that remains in the bladder for prolonged periods creates a favorable environment for bacterial growth, increasing the likelihood of infections. UTIs can cause considerable pain and discomfort, and require medical treatment.
• Bladder Weakening: When the bladder is subjected to excessive stretching by holding urine, it may lose its elasticity. This can lead to difficulties in completely emptying the bladder, resulting in episodes of incontinence, where the person may not be able to control urination.
• Formation of Kidney Stones: Retaining concentrated urine can lead to the crystallization of substances, resulting in the formation of kidney stones. These stones can cause intense pain, obstruction, and, in severe cases, require surgical intervention.
• Potential Kidney Damage: Although it is a rare risk, urine reflux to the kidneys, caused by excessive pressure in the bladder, can result in serious kidney damage. This condition, known as hydronephrosis, requires immediate medical attention, as it can compromise kidney function.

Being aware of these risks is essential for adopting healthy habits and ensuring the proper functioning of the urinary system.

The Mind in Control: Stress, Anxiety, and the Habit of Retaining

For many people, holding urine becomes an automatic behavior linked to factors such as stress and anxiety. Ignoring the body’s natural signals is not only a reaction to a lack of time or opportunity but often a conditioned response to high-pressure environments. It is common in demanding workplaces or social situations where psychological pressure discourages seeking relief.

The practice of holding urine can be seen as an example of ‘automatic behavior,’ a relevant concept in the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis. In this context, the disconnection from physiological needs becomes a pattern. Stress and anxiety not only intensify this disconnection but also hinder the perception of bodily signals, leading to chronic suppression of essential needs.

This pattern is not only detrimental to physical health but can also contribute to a cycle of emotional distress. By ignoring what the body asks for, people may feel even more anxious or stressed, creating a vicious cycle. Awareness of these behavior patterns is, therefore, the first crucial step toward change. Recognizing that holding pee is not just a practical issue but also a symptom of a larger emotional state can be liberating and an invitation to adopt healthier habits.

Scientific Hypnosis in Changing Automatic Behaviors

Scientific hypnosis, as addressed by the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis, is a powerful tool for transforming automatic behaviors, such as the habit of holding pee. This practice, often linked to stress and anxiety, is not treated directly, but rather its behavioral trigger. The motto “Everything that stress and anxiety can worsen, scientific hypnosis can help” encapsulates this philosophy.

During hypnosis sessions, a trained professional uses techniques that promote focused attention. This makes the individual more aware of their bodily signals. By increasing this awareness, it is possible to modify automatic responses and reactions to stress-inducing situations.

Hypnosis does not replace medical treatments for urinary infections but addresses the root of the retention behavior, promoting a new interpretation of the environment and feelings. This change allows for healthier actions to be adopted, helping the individual align with their well-being. Thus, the practice of hypnosis, when done ethically and scientifically, enables an effective path for modifying harmful habits that affect health and quality of life.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we explored in detail why the habit of holding pee is much more than a mere inconvenience. We saw that, physiologically, this practice can overload the bladder, significantly increase the risk of painful urinary infections, contribute to the formation of kidney stones, and, in rarer and more severe cases, compromise kidney function. Ignoring the body’s signals is to disrespect a complex and efficient system designed to keep our body in balance and free from toxins.

However, the analysis cannot stop at biology. We discussed how, often, this behavior is deeply intertwined with our emotional and mental states. The stress of daily life, anxiety, and the pressure to always be productive lead us to develop automatic behaviors, such as suppressing our most basic needs. This disconnection between mind and body is a symptom of a larger problem, in which we stop listening to and caring for ourselves in an integral way.

It is precisely at this intersection that scientific hypnosis, when applied by qualified health professionals, reveals its potential. The approach of the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis does not promise miraculous cures but offers a powerful, evidence-based tool to help people manage stress and modify these harmful automatic behaviors. By inducing a state of focused attention, hypnosis allows the individual to reassess their automatic reactions and develop greater sensitivity to bodily signals, promoting a healthier relationship with oneself.

Changing a deeply ingrained habit like holding urine is an excellent example of how emotional and physical health are connected. Health professionals who integrate hypnosis into their practices are better equipped to offer comprehensive care that goes beyond the symptom and addresses behavioral and emotional causes. They can enhance treatments and guide their patients toward more lasting well-being.

Are you interested in learning scientific hypnosis to apply professionally? To enhance your results in your current profession or even to have a new profession? Discover the evidence-based hypnosis training and postgraduate programs offered by the Brazilian Society of Hypnosis through the link: https://www.hipnose.com.br/cursos/

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can holding pee be harmful to health?

Holding pee can cause serious health problems, such as urinary tract infections and bladder damage. When urine is retained for too long, it creates a favorable environment for bacterial proliferation. Additionally, excessive stretching of the bladder can weaken it, making its functioning difficult and causing incontinence.

What are the risks of holding urine for long periods?

Among the risks are urinary infections, which cause pain and discomfort, bladder weakening, kidney stone formation, and, in extreme cases, kidney damage. Ignoring the body’s natural signals can result in medical complications and a negative impact on overall health.

How do stress and anxiety affect the urge to go to the bathroom?

Stress and anxiety can make people suppress the urge to urinate, turning it into an automatic habit. In high-pressure environments, this conditioned response leads to disconnection from bodily signals, increasing the need for self-control and making it difficult to perceive when it is necessary to go to the bathroom.

Can hypnosis help change the habit of holding pee?

Yes, scientific hypnosis can be used to help people become more aware of their bodily signals and modify automatic behaviors. This can redefine how they deal with stress and anxiety, promoting the elimination of harmful habits like retaining urine.

What are the long-term consequences of ignoring the urge to urinate?

In the long term, ignoring the body’s signals can lead to various health problems, including kidney damage, recurrent infections, and urinary difficulties. These issues not only affect physical health but can also impact emotional well-being, generating an even greater cycle of stress and anxiety.