It only takes a few minutes, yet many people don’t make their bed. We get it. Time is precious. When you’re running late, or you’re desperate for a caffeine hit, making your bed is the last thing on your mind. We all have bad days, but things go more smoothly when we start the day right. If you make your bed as soon as you get up, you’ll accomplish the first task of the day, setting you up for whatever the world throws at you.
Cropped shot of an attractive young woman making up her bed
Making your bed every morning does more than just set up your day; it makes you feel productive and brings order to chaos. If you wake up feeling anxious and stressed, making your bed will help to clear your mind.
If all that sounds like mumbo jumbo, there are also practical benefits to making your bed, like tidying your room and fluffing up your duvet and pillows. You won’t change the world by making your bed, but you will feel better for doing it!
Making your bed benefits
Making your bed is a small win with several powerful effects on the mind. By making your bed every day, you can expect to experience:
- A feeling of accomplishment
- A sense of pride
- Better discipline
- Improved focus
- Greater productivity
If you don’t believe us, give it a go!
What per cent of people make their bed?
Although there are no British studies, our friends over the pond in America conducted a YouGov Omnibus poll, finding that 37% of people “always” make their bed and 19% do it “often”. 14% of people “rarely” make their bed!
What can we deduce from this? That some people are lazy oafs?
A more insightful analysis might find that people are too distracted nowadays.
Think about it. Most of us reach for our smartphones first thing in the morning, and it’s the last thing we see at night. We also love our coffee and sugary breakfasts, which we develop cravings for. So much to do, so little time!
Are people who make their beds happier?
Pictured: Happy bearded man lying in bed and using iPad.
We strongly believe so, yes!
A recent survey from OnePoll and Sleepopolis found that people who make their beds are more likely to wake up without an alarm and be happier, more social, adventurous and confident. Those are some impressive benefits.
Author Charles Duhigg writes about this in his book, “The Power of Habit“. He references a study by Duke University in 2006 that found daily habits can have an enormous impact on our health, productivity, financial security, and happiness.
Making your bed creates a sense of discipline
In the military, firing a gun and making a bed are both core skills.
You can be the fittest, most intelligent officer, but if you lack discipline, you’re on a fast track to dismissal and an absolute roasting from the commanding officer. The idea of making a bed is it’s the same sense of discipline that keeps you alive.
If the military believes in making a bed every day, you should too. Starting the morning with a small win is an excellent way to make yourself feel better. It not only instils real discipline but helps you create a sense of pride.
Making your bed unlocks greater productivity
Think about your most productive days at work. We’d bet they involve getting to work straight away, with no messing around. Now think about how you started those days. Again, we’d bet you started them right, probably with a schedule.
Human beings are creatures of habit; good habits promote productivity, while bad habits sap our time and reduce productivity.
Making your bed every day is the best way to start the day right. There is no better way to start the day right than accomplishing a task immediately. Making your bed is easy, taking a few minutes at most, yet it’s incredibly gratifying.
Debz Louise is a plus-size blogger based in Yorkshire. Behind many nationwide campaigns such as #WeaAreTheThey & winner of Best Blogger at the UK Plus Size Awards, she talkas about life as a plus-size 40-something woman in South Yorkshire.
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