February 17, 2026 – We’ve all done it — delaying a restroom break during a long meeting or while traveling in a car. Waiting too long can turn into a mad dash, like when Rob and I raced to get off a flight that finally landed in New Hampshire after the plane was delayed on the tarmac for over an hour before takeoff. Of course, we had tanked up on Watt-Ahh before the trip. Thankfully, we were seated in the first row and had a head start to the restrooms.
Occasional urinary stress on the bladder is usually fine. The bladder is a muscular organ and can stretch and tolerate short periods of increased urinary pressure.
That said, the healthiest habit is to urinate when the brain signals that it’s time – specifically through the periaqueductal gray (PAG), a region of the brain involved with bladder control and urine release. When the bladder is about half full with urine, stretch receptor nerves in the bladder lining notify the brain. This early signal gives you a window of time to find a restroom before urgency sets in.
When those signals are routinely ignored and urine is held for prolonged periods, the risk of irritation, inflammation, and urinary tract infections (UTIs) increases. Urination is one of the body’s natural cleansing cycles — it flushes out unwanted microbes. When urine sits stagnant (or stasis) in the bladder for too long, bacteria have more time to settle, multiply, and potentially trigger infection.
Repeated over-stretching of the bladder can also interfere with efficient emptying. Residual urine left behind after voiding creates an even more favorable environment for non-beneficial bacterial growth.
On a personal note, I’ve noticed that even while talking with customers about Watt-Ahh, I will sometimes postpone drinking from the bottle sitting very visible on my desk. I’m actively working on improving my hydration habits by taking more frequent drinks throughout the day. Yes, that likely means more bathroom trips – but I’ve learned not to ignore the signals.
Paying attention to your body’s signals for hydration and cleansing can help maintain a healthy urinary tract.