Do you remember as a child being nagged by your parents to make your bed before going to school? I imagine your thoughts back then were much like mine, something like “why bother? no one else will see it, it’s not important”. And sure, it’s not a critical task in many ways. Yet for many, it’s a fundamental habit as part of a morning routine, just as much as brushing your teeth or having your morning cuppa.
Even without kids, this is a bone of contention in our house, as my partner’s view is “why make the bed when I’m just going to get back in it?”. We agree to disagree, as whilst he sees it as a bit of a chore, I’m sure he secretly appreciates it. So most days it’s me that does it, and I’ve learned to quietly appreciate it when he does occasionally do it without asking (and yes, he inevitably points it out as if it’s some momentous achievement.
As I’ve got older, I’ve discovered that I like the way it makes my room look neat and orderly. And if nothing else, I’ve also learned it makes me feel calm, and more ready to start my day. But this isn’t just me, there’s others who support this view.
In my series of posts about habits I want to share with you why I believe (and others besides me) that making your bed is a cornerstone habit, we all should strive to complete.
Reason 1: Start your day as you mean to go on
Sure, it’s not a complicated task, but you create a sense of order and accomplishment in making the bed, that sets the tone for the rest of your day.
Naval Admiral William McRaven, the commander of U.S. Special Operations sums it up well in his speech to The University of Texas in 2014. He says “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another.” He goes on to say “and if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made, that you made, and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better”.
Reason 2: Increased Productivity and Wellbeing
Following on from this, making daily bed-making a keystone habit is proven to kickstart a chain of other good decisions throughout the day, and give you a sense of taking charge. Charles Duhigg, in his book The Power of Habit claims that the habit of making the bed every morning correlates with “better productivity”, and “a greater sense of well-being”. These small-win habits help us to cultivate other good habits.
Reason 3: It makes you feel happier
And who doesn’t want to feel happier right?
A made bed is an outward indication that you care about yourself and your home. And that feeling of caring and being cared for helps lift your mood and lighten your emotional burdens.
Gretchen Rubin, author of “The Happiness Project” found during her research for the book that one of the most common simple changes that led to happiness was learning to make the bed each morning.
When I feel overwhelmed, doing this small thing helps me regain my focus. Plus, seeing the end result proves I can accomplish something. And when I’ve had a rough day, coming home to a tidy space to rest is like a comforting hug.
Being able to say “At least I managed to accomplish this task” is sometimes enough to make the day feel more successful. Especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed, picking one little task to improve your situation, and doing it regularly, can help you regain a sense of control. Making your bed is a good place to start, and tackling one easy daily step is a good way to energize yourself for tougher situations.
