The real reason to avoid a 'just in case' pee before heading out is that it can lead to unnecessary anxiety and discomfort. Instead of feeling relaxed and ready to enjoy your outing, you may become preoccupied with thoughts about needing to find a bathroom. This can create a cycle of overthinking and may even make you feel like you need to go more often than you actually do. It's better to trust your body's natural signals and only go when you truly feel the urge.

Health professionals have disclosed what constitutes a 'healthy' urine sample, and it seems many of us may not be treating our bladders as well as we should.

Ah, urination. It's an inconvenient yet essential bodily function that many of us sometimes wish we could have evolved beyond.

Sat at our desks every day, it can be easy to forget when we last went to the toilet, consumed by the screens in front of us. Or when we're about to leave the house or go to sleep, we often pop to the loo 'just in case' - but here's why you need to start paying more attention to your bathroom habits for the sake of your health.

Understanding how urination functions and the potential problems associated with it.

You'd think it would be fairly self explanatory how peeing works, but let's dive a bit more into the actual science of it.

Essentially, when your bladder fills with liquid, it expands and sends a message to the brain indicating that it's time for a release.

On one side, certain individuals overlook this cue—during a meeting or while working, it can be challenging to shift your attention, making it hard to ignore the urgent calls of your bladder.

Conversely, some individuals might dash to the restroom 'just to be safe' before heading out for the day or settling in for the night.

Both can have equally harmful effects, disrupting the communication between your bladder and brain.

Your brain may eventually learn to disregard the signals indicating the need to urinate, which can lead to an overstretched bladder. Over time, this can weaken the bladder muscles, causing them to lose their elasticity and become damaged.

Alternatively, you may find yourself making more trips to the bathroom if you go 'just in case,' as your brain may become increasingly attuned to the sensation, prompting you to urinate even when your bladder isn't very full.

But how do you know if you're peeing a healthy amount and for the healthy amount of time? Well, I present to you the '21-second rule'.

The 20-second guideline

A group of mechanical engineering students at the Georgia Institute of Technology conducted research into the 'duration of urination' - quite catchy, right?

The team explored a zoo and discovered that nearly all the mammals they observed took approximately 21 seconds to relieve themselves, exhibiting a remarkably consistent duration.

In consideration of the research, nurse practitioner who runs MyConfidentBladder.com, PhD Janis Miller told WellandGood explains you can tell if your pee is healthy by counting and seeing if the stream lasts for around 21 seconds.

If you find yourself frequently needing to use the restroom or not going often enough, regardless of whether you're significantly short or excessively tall, it might be time to take a closer look at your bathroom habits.

Healthline advises: "If you’re peeing up to seven times in 24 hours, that’s typical. Certain factors can cause you to pee more or less on some days, and it isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. However, in some cases, you may need to see a doctor."