I don't like going to bed. Nor do I like getting out of it. It's a conundrum.
My office desk is exactly 7 feet away from my bedroom. Every time I leave my office to go downstairs or outside this is what I see. Comfortable bed, napping cat, linen bedding, fluffy duvet ...
It's not that much of a temptation in the summer, but in this gutter of a season we call late winter - it's as persuasive as a late night infomercial to an insomniac. I've only succumbed to the temptation once or twice and the main reason for that is not my military-like discipline. It's the fact that my bed is already made.
If it were all a jumble of sheets and pillowy down I might be more likely to swan dive into it. But it's made, so I continue on with my day instead of curling up to sleep. Pulling back the covers and getting into an already made bed in the middle of the day is pathetic. Whereas falling into one that's still an unmade mess is just practical. Smartly taking advantage of a situation, really - I mean when you think about it.
That's reason number 1 to make your bed in the morning. The other billion reasons all lead to happiness.
According to a study by Hunch.com only 27% of people make their bed. Which is too bad because
70% of people who make their beds consider themselves to be happy.
Happiness expert, Gretchen Rubin; The Power of Habit author Charles Duhigg; and US Navy Admiral William H. McRaven all believe in the POWER of making your bed.
Gretchen Rubin says making your bed is also one of the most effective and easiest triggers of happiness.
Charles Duhigg describes making your bed every morning as a "keystone habit". A way to kick start a pattern of good behaviour for the rest of the your day, week, month, life.
But most impressive is US Navy Admiral William H. McRaven's commencement speech. Here's just a little bit of it ...
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NinaMargo
My husband gets up earlier than I do. Sweet man (Pisces) makes his half impeccably, even in the dark so he doesn’t wake me and the dog up. Our bedroom has big double doors that open into the great room so I love seeing our neatly- made bed. Kim, thanks for the heads-up about the upcoming Gretchen Rubin book!
Rachael
I’m an early riser (my boyfriend works in construction and is out the door by 5:15) and we both habitually make our respective side of the bed (I flip my sheet and duvet down, he pulls his up over his pillow in a more manly, efficient, yet less Better Homes and Gardens kind of way) every morning AS WE CLIMB OUT OF BED. Never later in the morning. Then we get dressed (nearly naked, underwear only sleepers) and have productive happy days. I may have laundry piled high on the closet floor but the bed is made every morning. We are happy people that make decent money and are very productive each day. I think you need to post your poll results!!
Deecoder
I am a nudie, messy bedded, wild-child and happy for it.
Julie Kasner
I rarely ever make my bed, and I’m the happiest person I know!!
I do straighten it before I get back in it at night and I make sure the bottom sheet is pulled tight.
Jenifer
Always. Even on the weekends, vacations, holidays... all of it. I always make my bed. I also suffer from occasional depression, particularly I the winter. So there's that.
Glad I could help. Lol
Julie Pearce
Yup, make bed, sleep in nude with hubby....not a morning person. Need coffee 1st. When I get dressed I make bed.
Didn't used to. No livestock to feed, so have a.m. time to make bed.😁 BTW nice bed!
Elissa
This happy girl makes the bed every day. I love rituals and this is one that is so satisfying. My bed is made with Rough Linen’s sheets and pillows and a fluffy down comforter. So pretty and comfy! I’m also a nudie once I’m warmed up!
Larissa
Happy bed maker!!
Pat
I did as a child, got out of the habit as an adult and now, once again, make it every day. Is it coincidental that this renewed habit started after reading Admiral McRaven's book? I think not and I receive a great sense of accomplishment from it.
I also wear pajamas, perhaps the Admiral should consider another book...
Suzanne
The more money you make the more likely someone Ian making your bed for you. Haha! 😜
Bonnie Harris
It's about priorities for me. When a working mom, there was only enough time to do the essentials, like cook meals. Making beds happened on weekends maybe. Now that I'm retired I make the bed every morning as part of a routine. It gives me pleasure to see the bedroom that I so carefully decorated looking all tidy and perfect. It makes me feel in control and I really like that. I'd say I was a happy person with both unmade and made beds, happy for different reasons.
Joyce
Make my bed everyday after coffee.
Connie Bridgham
I Do Indeed! and I'm a happy person. Here-Here!
Karen
Make it everyday!
Jamieson
My bed is made every morning by me or my husband, or both of us together (probably 1/3 for each instance) and yes, I am a happy (and nude) person. Until recently I also ironed my pillow cases and top third of my top sheet to give a hotel-like crispness! (After washing each week, not every morning when making the bed, natch.)
danni
ha! Funny story... thought there was a break in at my house, cops are summoned, we realize it was a mistake and try to call them off but ONCE A CALL GOES IN THEY HAVE TO FINISH IT... meaning that they have to go through my house top to bottom and look in every room and every closet.... and as I stood in the driveway waiting for the all clear I realized NOOOOOOOooooooo! My bed was an unmade jumbled pillow nest and it was so embarrassing to me.
I don't know why that was the worst to me, the closets were appalling...
So now I make my bed every day.
Karen
LOL!!!!! ~ karen!
Dawn
I make my bed every day and I don't leave dirty dishes in the sink.
My best friend died 10 years ago at age 37 and I remember vividly going to her house that evening to spend time with her husband and kids. Her breakfast dishes were still in the sink so I spent time washing them. I don't want the last memory of me for someone else to be washing my dishes. That might sound goofy but it's a memory that lingers for me to this day.
Kathy
Yes, every day except Saturday, when the sheets get washed. And then the bed making is just delayed a bit.
Gayle M
Yes, but I must qualify. I did not until I was almost 40. Shocked it changed midlife? That was about 14 years into my marriage. You see, my bedroom as a child to 25 year old was upstairs out of sight, shared with sisters who, too, did not make their beds. Then up until that time, my hubby worked a rotating shift which, besides changing every 28 days, also changed day to night to afternoon instead of day to afternoons to nights. (In other words, against your natural circadian rhythm. Makes a huuuuge difference.) So my bed for the most part was like a revolving door until my husband earned enough seniority to bid for and get the day shift. Married to a cop. And yes, 45 years of bliss.
Debbie
Bed maker here! Very happy as I cannot stand a messy bedroom or house!