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What Is a Bidet and Why Do You Need One?

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Many Americans don’t know what a bidet is, let alone why you would need one.

That’s because bidets (pronounced “bi-day”) are a French invention that have yet to become widespread in the US. 

But they’re very popular in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. For example, over 77.5% of Japanese homes have one. 

What Is a Bidet?

A bidet is a bathroom appliance that sprays water on your bottom to clean you after you’re done going to the bathroom. It’s an alternative to using toilet paper. There are different types of bidets: stand-alone, handheld, toilet seat, attachment, and even travel versions. 

Stand-alone bidets are often mistaken for a low sink or a urinal. That’s what they look like. However, they’re meant to be squatted over after using the toilet for cleaning yourself. 

A handheld bidet, aka a bidet shower or shattaf, is a little hose that you can hold and direct with your hand. They’re a nice DIY option because they’re easy to install. 

Other bidets are integrated into the toilet seat. These are nice because they don’t require you to move from the toilet seat at all. A spray nozzle extends beneath you when you’re ready and then retracts when you’re done. Many toilet seat bidets also come with added features like heated seats and air drying. 

Bidet attachments fit underneath the toilet seat and use water pressure. You adjust the nozzle spray by turning a dial. These are also one of the more cost-effective options since they don’t require any electricity. 

Finally, travel bidets are handy for when you’re on the road and don’t want to resort to toilet paper. They look like a bottle and have a skinny cap that squirts out water when you squeeze it. 

Benefits of Using a Bidet

Now that you know what types of bidets are out there, why should you use one? Well, they have many benefits over toilet paper. Let’s go over them:

  1. Bidets are cleaner. Think about it: If you were to get mud on your skin, you’d want to wash it off with water. You wouldn’t use dry paper to scrape it off. But that’s basically what we do when we use toilet paper, and it doesn’t get everything. It leaves residue. Plus, you don’t have to use your hands when you use bidets, so they’re more hygienic because there’s less opportunity for germs to spread. 
  2. Bidets are also better for the environment. We use 22 billion kilometers of toilet paper globally per year. And each year it costs 712 million trees, 1,165 million tons of water, and 78 million tons of oil. Using a bidet dramatically reduces the amount of toilet paper you use since you only need it to dry. And if you get a bidet with an air dryer function, you don’t need to use any toilet paper at all. And by not buying toilet paper, you also need to dispose of less plastic packaging.
  3. Bidets can save you a ton of money. The average American spends over $11,000 on toilet paper in their lifetime. That’s over $140 per year. But with a bidet, you don’t need toilet paper. And if you consider that it takes about 6 gallons of water to make one roll of toilet paper, using bidets saves a lot of water as well.
  4. Another reason to love bidets is that they minimize your plumbing issues. Since you use less toilet paper, there are less opportunities for your pipes to clog. That means you don’t have to call the plumber as often, which will save you a lot of stress and money in the long run.
  5. Finally, using a bidet is a pleasant experience. While toilet paper can be rough on your skin, bidets are far more gentle and comfortable. They may take some time to get used to, but once you do, it’s hard to go back.

Final Thoughts

Whether you decide to invest in a bidet or not, it’s worth a try. So the next time you see one, resist the urge to use toilet paper like you always do and try something new. 

And if you do invest in one, remember to clean it regularly. Then enjoy it and consider introducing your family and friends. Bidets are bound to spread across the US as more people recognize the many benefits. 

The idea of Bigtime Daily landed this engineer cum journalist from a multi-national company to the digital avenue. Matthew brought life to this idea and rendered all that was necessary to create an interactive and attractive platform for the readers. Apart from managing the platform, he also contributes his expertise in business niche.

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Lifestyle

How To Combine Astrology With Self-Care Rituals To Enhance Daily Living

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Self-care looks different for everyone. And it could look different day by day. Sometimes you just need meditation or journaling or a grounding ritual. Sometimes you need movement. Sometimes you need more rest. Have you ever wondered why it’s different day-by-day and why you can’t seem to “stick” to something?

Most of us know something about Western astrology, but have you ever heard of Vedic astrology (Jyotish)? Vedic astrology focuses on your moon sign (which may differ from your Western astrological chart), planetary transits, and Dasha period. These three areas shape how you feel, act, and process emotions every day. 

The time management app align27 doesn’t just focus on your typical horoscope. It gives you a personalized Vedic birth chart and a daily favorability forecast based on planetary influences. It uses a simple yet powerful stoplight system — green for favorable times, yellow for neutral, and red for moments when it’s best to slow down — to help you navigate each day with intention.

Why Vedic astrology and self-care go hand in hand

Ever have days where everything flows effortlessly and others where nothing seems to go right? That’s not random — it’s the influence of the planets at play. Vedic astrology teaches that planetary transits and periods, and the Moon’s placement each day all impact your energy. 

By understanding these influences, align27 customizes your self-care rituals to work with the planetary energies rather than against them. The result? A self-care routine that feels more natural, restorative, and in harmony with your personal astrology. 

How to align self-care with align27

1. Follow your moon sign for emotional well-being

In Vedic astrology, your Moon sign reveals how you process emotions, handle stress, and recharge. The align27 app provides real-time insights into your Moon sign’s current state, helping you plan self-care that supports your well-being.

  • Fire Moons (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius): align27 will highlight action-oriented times, which are perfect for movement-based self-care like yoga, walking, or a workout.
  • Earth Moons (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): Your best self-care moments often fall during grounding planetary periods. The align27 app helps you time activities like cooking, gardening, or Ayurvedic oil massages.
  • Air Moons (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): Mental stimulation is key for you. Use align27’s favorable green time slots to plan journaling, reading, or creative work.
  • Water Moons (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): Emotional balance is crucial; align27 suggests introspective yellow periods during which self-care like meditation, breathwork, or music therapy can help you reset.

By checking your daily Moon sign insights in align27, you can sync your self-care with your emotional energy instead of forcing routines that don’t feel right.

2. Sync with planetary transits for daily rituals

Planetary movements in Vedic astrology directly influence your daily energy. Instead of following the same self-care routine every day, use the align27 app to check which planets are strongest and which ones need balancing.

  • Green periods: Ideal for action — schedule workouts, deep work, or personal projects. 
  • Yellow periods: Best for reflection — meditation, light reading, or connecting with loved ones.
  • Red periods: Time to pause — prioritize self-care, avoid big decisions, and rest.

For example:

  • If align27 shows a red period under Mercury’s influence, it’s a sign to unplug from tech and practice silence (Mauna) instead.
  • A green period during a Moon transit suggests a great time for emotional processing through journaling or spiritual rituals.
  • If Saturn is active, align27 might recommend structured self-care, like a disciplined yoga practice or fasting.

The daily timing feature of align27 takes the guesswork out of self-care, helping you plan around when the universe is actually working with you, not against you.

3. Use your Venus sign for beauty and self-love rituals

In Vedic astrology, Venus (Shukra) represents luxury, pleasure, and how you experience beauty. But your Venus sign in your birth chart tells you what kind of self-care truly nourishes your soul.

  • Venus in Fire Signs: You love bold, energizing self-care. Ayurvedic herbal treatments, bright colors, and invigorating scents like sandalwood or saffron uplift your energy.
  • Venus in Earth Signs: You prefer high-quality, natural self-care. Organic skincare, silk bedding, and nourishing food rituals align with your Venus energy.
  • Venus in Air Signs: You thrive on social and intellectual beauty. Try mantra recitation, decorating your space with art, or engaging in deep conversations.
  • Venus in Water Signs: You need emotionally fulfilling self-care. Essential oil baths, soft textures, and music therapy create a calming atmosphere.

4. Strengthen your planetary weaknesses through rituals

Each planet in your birth chart has strengths and weaknesses based on its placement. You can balance planetary imbalances through specific self-care rituals:

  • Weakened moon? Drink warm milk with cardamom, wear white, and meditate under the full Moon.
  • Struggling with Rahu energy? Reduce digital distractions, light camphor, and chant “Om Rahave Namah.”
  • Mars overactivity? Avoid spicy food, practice slow yoga, and wear cool colors like blue or white.

The align27 app personalizes these remedies based on your birth chart and daily planetary shifts.

Align your self-care with the stars

When you integrate Vedic astrology into your self-care routine, you’re not just following trends but tuning into the ancient wisdom of timing and energy alignment. Instead of forcing yourself into a one-size-fits-all self-care plan, you can create rituals that genuinely support you based on the cosmic influences at play.

With tools like align27, you can easily track your best days for rest, action, and reflection — making self-care effortless and aligned with the universe. Because taking care of yourself isn’t just about doing more — it’s about doing what’s right for you, at the right time. 

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