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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Nancy Sage Sciarretta
Yes, I make my bed. And, yes, I consider myself happy. The other option is a waste of life!
Eileen
I let it air out for a bit while I get ready, have coffee, etc., then make it. I'm a lousy housekeeper otherwise - having a nicely made bed seems to distract from that.
But I would not consider myself a particularly happy person...more the grumpy cat malcontent type. : )
Ang
I do make my bed at some point during the 24 hour period we all consider a day. However, not necessarily in the morning part. Sometimes there's a husband in it so I can't (I'm the morning person of the family) and sometimes I just don't, whether I just forget or I just decide there are other more important things I want to do at the time, like getting my first cup of coffee, sitting down to write, or play cell games. We keep our door closed during the day, so it's not seen unless I go in there. Honestly, I usually make it as I'm getting ready for bed. Guess I'm the odd man out! 😁
Lynn Caughey
I'm happy that my husband makes the bed everyday.
Jeanie Burch
Yes, our bed is made every day. Hubby makes it during the week while I'm in the shower getting ready for work (he works from home). Weekends we take turns but it is made. Maybe not all the decorative pillows get on it, but made. I hate getting into an unmade bed.
LA Burns
If you don't make your bed in the morning how on earth can you happily go to bed at night? An unmade bed is so uncivilized. *shudder
Isabelle
Yes, I do make my bed every day and I feel twitchy if I can't (like when my cats have already made themselves super comfortable on the unmade bed and I don't want to disturb their cute sleepy selves - but only on the weekends when I have extra time). My siblings and I all make our beds having learned it from our mother who would be looking down horrified from heaven if we didn't. :)
Vanessa
I do! Well. I try. With six cats and two giant dogs it stays made nicely for all of 14 seconds - and then the cats are burrowing under the duvet, the dogs have run off with the furry pillows and I just pretend it still looks nice.
Jessie Heizer
I am new to daily bed making. I just started about 2 years ago after 34 years of not getting the point of it. I can say it definitely sets the tone for a more productive day for me, which leaves me feeling accomplished and satisfied. So I’d say, yes it has improved my level of happiness.
Merrilee
I make the bed AND I sleep naked. Super happy!!!
Susan W
If my bed isn't made, the covers are trapped underneath two big dogs and I'd freeze all night. When it's made, I can slither from the top down and at least be completely covered. A beautiful bedroom has always been top of my wish list but after a few un-dog-friendly disasters (think beautiful black comforter and nonstop shedding white dog) I'm happy with the looks of a simple, washable comforter nicely made and sporting lots of pillows and dogs.
Robine
I do make mine everyday, but I make when I get home from work at 5:00. The reason is because my husband is asleep when I leave for work. No way will he make the bed....I finally got him to hang up his towel. Winning.
Su
My partner is a night owl so he rises hours after I do, and by the time he’s up I’m busy with my day, so the bed never gets made, unless we’re expecting company. Plus I read that not making the bed is healthier, something about dust mites....
since I also retire before my guy, I fluff the pillows and straighten the covers before getting in, cause yeah getting into a ‘’made” bed feels better 😊
Sabina
When forced to think about it, the result is a little startling for me, further reinforcing my Gemini-driven personality...I make my bed about 50% of the time...
Barb
After feeding the cats and having my coffee and breakfast, I always go back upstairs to make the bed. I like the way the entire room looks tidy if the bed is made. I also don’t like to get into a messy bed at night. As my grandmother used to say about people who didn’t make their beds, “They pig in as they pig out”.
Lori Hope
I make the bed, and have, as long as I was old enough to do so (my mom's rule).
I work from home, and I get up WAAAAAY earlier than my husband. When he gets up, he flips the covers back, and then I go back a while afterwards and make the bed after it has aired out.
And yes, I'm happy. :)
Linda J Howes-Smyth
No nudity here, my house is cold as in FREEZING! Generally in the 10 to 14 (14 is downright balmy) range.
Bed making is a big YES. I discovered the joys of making my bed in my thirties, a bit late in life I agree. I credit Martha Stewart. Here's what I did, I bought very nice sheets, a quilt for summer and a cover for the duvet. Then I learned to make my bed and bedroom welcoming so that going to bed at night would be a treat rather than walking into a rumpled up mess.
Did it make me happy? Not really, but I did feel better about myself and that was the start to happiness.
Dotti
Someone else gave me this advice - I think after hearing that naval commander speech. And I decided to implement it. For the past year or so I have I made my bed every day. I do get a feeling of accomplishment and I really like the way the room feels after it’s made. I was already fairly happy with my life, but the bedmaking definitely gives me that one little point of satisfaction every day.
I can’t sleeping nude. I don’t even like night shirts that ride up.
Mary W
Always make my bed - it is easy as it's just a sheet, light blanket, and homemade quilt and they all lay on top - not tucked in. I do it as I get up, just pulling the lot smooth as I get up and walking around the other side to do the same even before going to the bathroom. I want my bedroom to look nice whenever I walk into it during the day and especially when I turn down the covers before my nightly shower. Getting into bed is a pleasure I look forward to and I think I'm worth this little pleasure. I'm very happy and my craft room is a mess, and the living room is constantly filled with grand kid stuff, computers, games, race cars, etc. I'm not very good at keeping the rest tidy but I'm happy EXCEPT for slime - that is not allowed! My Mom never told me to make my bed and I never did as a kid, so this comes from a place inside me that makes me happy to start the day with my bed made, just like the man said in his brilliant speech. It feels good!
Karla
I'm doubly blessed, because my husband tends to make the bed as I am up before him most mornings. It makes me so happy to see the bed made and it is such an invitation to slip under the smooth covers at night!