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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Jody
Yup, make the bed ever day. And Happy, happy, happy.
Lisa
I do not make my bed. Except when my husband is not home. To be clear, DH and I have had a couple of lengthy episodes (we're talking years, here) in which we were having a LONG distance marriage. Think one of us taking care of elderly parent while the other keeps the home fires burning in a house we didn't want to sell that was a 4 hour plane ride away. Or think monthly honeymoons. Whatever you think it was very nice, not conflict ridden. When I am on my own, my bed gets made. When DH is around, no bed making. DH is inclined to naps. He does not remake the bed after his naps. This makes me want to set something on fire or tie his shoelaces together or any of a number of other acts of revenge. However, my life is too precious to throw any of it away on pissed off-ness so I let it go. I like my DH. But when he's not around....my bed is MADE. I realize this is probably why I my BP is slightly high. But you gotta pick your battles, right?
Julie Anne
It’s made every day. Then my nightie goes under the pillow.
Elizabeth
I always make my bed. I would hate to get into an unmade bed at night plus it makes the whole bedroom look tidy when the bed is made.
Tess
I make the bed every day, but am not considered a happy person...probably because my husband and son (12) think I am compulsive instead of tidy. H&S leave trails behind them wherever they go, but I'm a "neat freak" because I straighten and vacuum. I try to persuade myself that it's a happy, livable mess...that doesn't work very often.
Maureen Taylor
First thing I do when I get up is go to the bathroom and then come back and make my bed. Always have and always will. Even tidy up a hotel bed. Now it is just part of me, but when I have gotten into a bed that was not made, I felt like I was sleeping in a dirty clothes hamper!
And I would have to say I am the happiest I have ever been now that I am retired!
Nicole Neal
I don't make the bed because the husband is still in it. He works nights and makes it when he gets up to go to work.
Marilyn Meagher
Our bed is made every morning. Usually by my husband,occasionally me and sometimes together 😜, we are happy people and neat people. Lol.
Ramona
I love when you call me “pathetic “ so early in the morning😉 I make my bed every morning and have my kids do the same. We have a small house and it looks neater when every room I pass has a made bed. Then the pets take over and sleep on top. Yay, Everyone! But I am not averse to a mid-afternoon map—- so I climb IN TO that made bed for about an hour and nap. Then....wait for it... I remake it when I get out again. Magic, right???😉
Zala
I don't. My husband does and I don't like it. It may be the only thing standing between me and perfect happiness. :) :)
Kristin Ferguson
I never make my bed but I'm a very happy person.
laura overturf
You make me laugh. I love you.
Cheryl
I have always made my bed in the morning. A little less rigid on it now after 24 years of marriage with a hubby who could care less if it's made, but even just pulling up the duvet and smoothing out the wrinkles makes me feel better.
Oriah
I'm a veteran and initially got into the habit of making my bed during basic training. I got out of the habit during college. In my junior year, i moved into a house that had been built in 1865. It was creaky, creepy, had a ghost, and the most numerous occupants were spiders. The spiders liked my unmade bed and after suffering numerous spider bites, i started making my bed again in military fashion with hospital corners and tucked linens. After that, the spiders didn't bother to get cozy in my bed and i've kept up the habit for the last 25 years. I don't like getting into an unmade bed because i have the entirely rational fear that i'll be bitten.
I always make my bed. It would disturb me to leave it a crumpled mess. It wouldn't feel as cozy to slip into it at night....and spiders. My dear beau was not in the habit of making up his bed. When i would spend the night at his house, i would make it up for him while he cooked breakfast. Then he started making my bed when he slept at my house while i was cooking breakfast. Now, he makes up his bed even when i'm not there. He discovered he feels better about himself and more proud of his home by simply making the bed. This was my completely un-scientific study which is now published on the internet and may be referenced and cited as necessary.
We also sleep in the buff. We are happy.
LeeAnn
Yes.
I have always made my bed, never needing to be told as a child probably because it was the ONLY thing that was completely mine in a family of 12 people. And I cherished it for the treasure it was and still is.
And yes, I consider myself exceedingly happy because I practice gratitude. After all, the Roman and Egyptian queens never slept in anything so marvelous as this not rich American girl has.
Sigrid Olsen
You are so right...we live better and in more luxury than Louis XIV or any other French King. Antibiotics, clean sheets and a vacuum cleaner. We live like Gods!
Marlene Eastman
When I was younger, I wouldn't care, just throw the duvet over the jumble of sheets and not look back. Now, I make our bed every morning, sometimes the hubby helps. I do it after coffee and breakfast. I made it a habit after I started traveling a bit. It felt so good to get into a made bed in a hotel after a long day's activity. The sheets weren't crumpled, they felt cool and inviting and I dropped off to sleep quickly and slept well. So, I figured it would have the same results at home. I did, so I'm happy because I get a good nights rest. Plus, it makes the bedroom look neat and tidy and that makes me happy.
BurbHappy
Well, I make my half of the bed. The person sleeping on the other half - not so much.
GerriAnn
I make my bed every morning and now I sleep in pajamas, nightgowns, chemises. Before I became a caregiver to my mother, I used to sleep in the nude, and always made my bed. I am a happy person!
Jane Woodward
A made bed is an ordered mind! I need to believe that as my desk is in my bedroom also.
Leisa Joan
I do like a made bed as well...but my 2 daughters did not inherit that trait from me. I do NOT sleep in the nude though. Just a nightgown.