Lifestyle

What Is a Bidet and Why Do You Need One?

Published

4 years ago

January 18, 2022

Matthew Wiles

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Lifestyle

When the Body Speaks: How Maryna Bilousova Helps Clients Heal Beyond the Physical

Published

18 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Michelle Langton

Our bodies hold onto what our minds try to forget until they speak up through tension, fatigue, or illness. It’s easy to overlook signs like tight shoulders, restlessness, or headaches. But often, these signals are connected to something deeper. Maryna Bilousova has built her work around helping people listen to what their bodies are really saying.

Like many of her clients, Maryna spent years in a high-stress environment, constantly pushing through. She knew how to perform, meet goals, and keep everything running. But peace was missing. Her body carried the weight of unspoken stress. That realization changed not only her life, it shaped how she supports others today as a transformation coach and subconscious pattern specialist.

Instead of focusing only on what’s visible, Maryna helps people look inward. She works with individuals who feel stuck in cycles they can’t explain, like burnout that does not go away or stress that feels out of proportion. Often, the root is not just a busy schedule. It’s emotional tension that’s been buried and ignored.

Looking Deeper Than Symptoms

Many people come to Maryna after trying traditional methods. They have done meditation apps, therapy sessions, or self-help routines. Still, something feels off. That’s where her work begins, not with fixing, but with listening.

She helps clients connect the dots between their physical symptoms and unresolved emotions. It’s not always about big trauma. Sometimes, it’s small moments that were never processed, guilt, grief, frustration, or shame. Over time, those emotions settle in the body.

Maryna recalls one client, a long-term cancer survivor, who returned years later with ovarian cysts. The physical fear was real, but so was the emotional weight she had been carrying from a past relationship full of betrayal and silence. Through their sessions, they uncovered and released that emotional residue. Weeks later, the cysts were gone. It was a reminder of how deeply the body can reflect our inner state.

Patterns That Keep Us Stuck

Maryna’s approach is not about chasing positivity or trying to fix everything at once. She focuses on patterns, how people speak to themselves, how they respond to stress, how they make decisions. Often, what feels like self-sabotage is actually an old belief playing out.

For example, someone who always avoids conflict might be carrying a belief that their needs don’t matter. Another who keeps overworking may feel that slowing down means they are falling behind. These beliefs often form early and show up in adulthood in ways that quietly run our lives.

Rather than offering surface-level solutions, Maryna holds space for clients to explore what’s really behind their choices. Her calm presence allows people to soften, reflect, and begin making changes that come from clarity, not pressure.

A Path Back to Yourself

The people Maryna works with are not looking for a quick fix. They want to feel lighter, clearer, and more like themselves again. Her clients often say that what changes is not just their mindset, it’s how they feel in their own skin. They start resting without guilt, setting boundaries without apology, and making choices that actually feel good.

Maryna believes that healing is not about doing more. It’s about slowing down enough to notice what your body and mind have been trying to say all along. When people start listening, they stop feeling like they have to fight themselves, and that’s when real change happens.

In a world that pushes us to ignore discomfort and keep going, Maryna offers something different: a place to pause, reflect, and reconnect. Because sometimes, healing does not start with doing, it starts with listening.