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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laura
Yes. Nude. Happy.
Lonelle
Nope, I never made my bed unless I was changing the sheets/blankets! lol However now that I have a honey, he is OCD and has to have the bed made. I do it about 25% of the time, he does is 75%. But when he is traveling, it gets done 0% of the time! lol
Isabella
I make our bed daily, before getting dressed. And I am one of the happiest people I know, ive been making my bed for about 70 years. Not making your bed because “it will just get messed up again” is terrible logic. Like lm not showering cause I’ll just get dirty again or not eating cause I’ll just get hungry again.
Making a bed sets the tone that you are organized and expect high standards in your life in every area. Even if it’s invisible to the rest of the world.
Cynthia
Boy Karen have you hit on a very interesting and entertaining subject!
Bed made & happy. Now after reading all these wonderful diaries, I think (am I the only one?), we should have group intervention. Can we find words to give a boost to some that experience depression? Karen, you can wax much more eloquently than I but surely there might be some fabulous ideas.
Susan
I generally make my bed as soon as I am up but after reading all the comments, will consider airing the bed first. On a related topic, I firmly believe individual (twin sized) duvets in a queen sized bed make for a happy marriage....no struggling to keep your half of the covers. And yes, I am also generally happy.
Librarian Nancy
Yes, I make my bed every morning, after coffee and before my shower. That was drummed into us as kids, and I got to the point that I don't like getting into an unmade bed in the evening. It makes your bedroom look neater instantly too. Happy but freezing in Chicago (it finally got above 0 degrees today), so no sleeping in the nude for me.
Ruth
This is the 2nd time I'm participating in this poll this week. I make my bed.
Ron
The interesting thing about studies is that you can usually find one that supports either side of a proposition - Voila!
1. Scientists Tell You Why Making Your Bed Is Disgusting — And Bad for Your Health
https://www.lifehack.org/317021/scientists-tell-you-why-making-your-bed-disgusting-and-bad-for-your-health
2. The disgusting reason you should stop making your bed
https://www.businessinsider.com/the-disgusting-reason-to-stop-making-your-bed-2015-9
3. A simple model for predicting the effect of hygrothermal conditions on populations of house dust mite
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10493-006-9003-8#/page-1
Karen
Agreed. A more recent scientific response to the claims in those articles, "...homes are humid enough for dust mites to thrive anyway. “I find it hard to believe that simply not making your bed would have any impact on the overall humidity,” Professor Andrew Wardlaw, then president of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, told the BBC.
The study, however, continues to receive sporadic media attention over a decade later, possibly because it fits a convenient narrative for those of us who want to skip a chore during our busy mornings." ;) (from https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2017/making-your-bed-dust-mites-fd.html) ~ karen!
Lee Hoy
I do make all the beds every day. But, (someone always has a big but..tehe) I put a cozy accordion folded comforter on the bottom of the bed just in case I do want a short nap. Love your posts!
Paula F
The short answer is "No"...
Long answer is that my husband gets out of bed later than I do and no amount of asking, begging, threatening, or withholding (haha) has compelled him to make the bed. I'm off to the office before he even rolls out of bed and we're both gone all day, so who even sees the bed. I've just let it go. And we don't have pets.
PLUS... I, too, have heard about the study about the Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DUST MITES) invading your cozy sleeping quarters, so I've come to accept that maybe my husband is on to something.
I'll make it if I'm expecting guests that feel they need a tour of my home. Other than that, whatever!
Trina
Yes, bed is made in the morning after airing for about an hour. Just more inviting to get into a neat bed at night. Once the bed is made the room gets picked up and is ready for the day. If I nap it’s in my recliner. We are quite happy at our house. 🤗
linda in illinois
actual making the bed i would say no i do not unless i am washing bed clothes. BUT... i do straighten the quilt, sheets and blankets so that it kind of looks made, and i do that every morning as i get out of bed, and i am a happy person though i do not make a lot of money so to speak.
By the way, that speech... made me cry and now i will do my best to be a much better person. Thank you ..
Linda
Research now says to not make your bed so as to cut down on the dust mites.
Karen
Hi Linda. I looked into that and there's additional research that says that's untrue, lol. Kind of like fat is bad for you. NO it's good for you! Eggs are bad for you. NO they're good for you! It's all pretty inconclusive. ~ karen!
p
Mama always washed and changed all the bedsheets on Mondays. Sometimes I'm a rebel now and wait until Tuesday because my life is my own.
I realize how many folks in the world have never had a bed or a sheet. It aches to know it and I buy bedding at thrift stores and mail it straight up to Malawi. Helps me to sleep better.
The ellyphant in the room, though..can we discuss how many people let an animal on their beds? I'm just gonna sit behind my computer and say I don't ;)
Christine
I make my bed at night before I get into it.
I never feel like making it in the morning but hate to get into a messy bed at night
Works for me and I consider myself pretty happy.
Maureen
I make my bed every morning , and yes I am happy. I truely dislike the way an unmade bed looks, I even make the bed while on vacation at resort or hotel.
Patty
My husband does every day. He's the last one out
Beth
Nope...bed doesn't get made. I get up way before my still sleeping husband, so it is pretty hard to make the bed while he is still sleeping in it. Then he gets up at the last possible minute to get a shower and leave for work, so he never makes it either...no one is home all day to see it, so whatever.
I would also consider myself to be a happy person even with an unmade bed....
Bruce
Interesting timing Karen. We made our bed today but usually don't. Most mornings i will at least pull up the duvet just to make it look neat but not throw the pillows up. I do like the neatness of the bed being made and agree with others here that it helps keep the room from turning into a disaster area.
Interestingly, at night, i would rather jump into an unmade bed than a made one. Not sure what that means...
My wife and I are still pretty happy peeps.
Karen
Well ... let us know if you have a particularly good day today. ;) ~ karen!
Susi
Yes. Sometimes I make my half of the bed while my husband is still asleep in his half.