Try This At Home: Make Your Bed
Do you leave the house without making your bed in the morning? Do you feel the status of your bed displays your current mood?
A recent survey by Hunch.com revealed that of a survey of 68,000 people, 59% DO NOT make their bed daily, while 27 % do. The remaining 12% pay someone to do it.
The state of your bed is the state of your head.
In a world where life can easily feel out of control, the simple act of making a bed can easily help one feel accomplished. For clients who struggle with depression, I often encourage them to begin making their bed each day as a visual reminder they have completed a task. However, this act can be beneficial for anyone. Visual clutter or disorder can easily impact our emotional state. If one has a difficult day and returns home to a cluttered house or bedroom, the prevailing mood can be enhanced. Returning home to a made bed can present a feeling of accomplishment and calm. There have been times in my life when I realized the days I was not making my bed were times when I was struggling with an issue emotionally. Making my bed began to help me feel more in control of my emotions. Within the Hunch.com survey, 71% of bedmakers state they are happy while 62% state they are unhappy. Bed makers are more likely to enjoy their jobs, have regular workout routines and report high quality sleep. Non bedmakers generally report feeling more tired, have less satisfaction with their jobs and do not work out as often. Of course, these factors could only be correlations but it is something to consider. Still not sure you want to make your bed everyday? Research also shows that focusing upon one simple task (let’s be honest – making a bed is easy), the improvement will likely spread to other habits such as eating better or working out. Perhaps this could help you with those 2016 goals and resolutions. Today I challenge you to begin a week of making your bed. Make note of how you feel after you have completed the task and how you feel when you come home in the evening. Does the task take as long as you feel it does or are you simply rushing out of the room without considering it important?
What are your thoughts on making your bed everyday?
]]>
OK, challenge accepted! I’m going to try and do this!
Ok girl, I’m going to be checking in on you! XO
Oh, I’m a big bed-maker – I’ve even written about it several times, myself. It just starts the day out so nicely with an accomplishment and looks so neat & clean every time I pass by the doorway during the day!
I so know that feeling. A made bed makes everything look better.
I love this and it’s true! I cannot leave the house if our beds aren’t made! If gives me the feeling of mess everywhere when they aren’t made!
I’m feel the same way Chrissy!
I should make my bed, but my husband and I share opposite schedules so he’s still sleeping when I leave for the work day. But on the weekends we should definitely try this out. My mom was a big fan of this, but eventually gave up when I just didn’t do it regularly.
liz @ j for joiner
I know it is so hard when there are opposite schedules. I’m glad to hear you try to do it on the weekends. I think even if we do it on occasion, it can make a difference. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m going to make my bed.. right now. It really does make me feel better but I almost never do it.
Good for you Jacquelyn! Give yourself just a few minutes a day to make yourself feel better! 🙂
I started doing this when I was in college and it makes such a difference!!!!
I so agree with you!
It’s so bizarre that you say this (or bring up this study). The other day I left the apartment without making the bed and I was seriously OBSESSING over it in a way I don’t think I’ve obsessed about anything. It’s interesting that there’s a correlation between depression/anxiety (on my part at least) and something as simple as making a bed. Interesting–thanks for sharing 🙂
Charlotte, I’ve left my house before upset that I didn’t at least spread the bed up so I so understand. I started acknowledging the correlation right after my Mom died. On the days I didn’t make my bed, I realized my sadness and depression were more present.
Yes! We make ours every day- it sure does make me feel better and accomplished.
It’s a simple task but makes the day start off better.
We make ours every day, but J and I are on different schedules and he’s not always up when I leave for work! It gets made… but sometimes right before I climb back in. 😉
It’s so hard when there are different schedules. When I leave before James, he rarely makes the bed. I’m like you on those days and make it right before I get back in.
Great post! I try to make my bed every morning. I do feel a difference on the days I do it. Interesting studies on the subject, too!
Thanks Kristin. I was surprised at the studies on this subject as I try to make my bed everyday. I think the fact that everyone feels better when they make their bed shows the difference it can make.
Oh, wow the stats on one who make their bed. I don’t feel like I am ready if my bed is not made.
I agree with you Sandy. If I don’t make my bed, the whole day is off. Thanks for stopping by.
I hardly ever make my bed, and I don’t think twice about it. haha! But I’m sure it would make getting into bed later that night more enjoyable! I’ll accept this challenge.
Yea! Candace! I just ask you to try for one week and see how it feels.
I have been making it a lot more often in my new space. I think because it’s like a new clean start but now this will have me challenged to do every single day this week!
Moving into a new space is such a great time to create new habits and routines. I’m going to check back in on you and see how you are doing this week. 🙂
Yes! I always make my bed…it doesn’t matter if the rest of my house is clean: if my bed isn’t made, the house doesn’t feel clean!
Oh Christine, I so agree with you. The rest of the house can be crazy but if the bed looks great, it makes everything better.
I always make my bed and have for as long as I can remember. I couldn’t imagine getting into a bed that wasn’t at night.
It’s always hard for me to imagine getting into a bed that hasn’t been made but I know there are people who do.
I always feel better when I make my bed. To be honest, I don’t always do it in the morning, depending on what kind of time I have to get ready, but it’s not so much when I make the bed, as long as I make it at some point during the day. So if I don’t have time to make it in the morning, I make it as soon as I get home at night. It definitely helps me feel more organized when I’m at home, but the biggest thing for me is that I sleep better if my bed is made before I climb in for the night. If it isn’t, I get really restless throughout the night.
I know what you are saying Crystal. There are some times when I’m running late but I always make the bed when I get home. I love to get into a nice straight bed!
I never think about making my bed in the morning – but when I do make it, I feel so much better. I should make it a priority each morning!
It’s amazing how a small act can make your day feel differently. It’s about making it part of your routine.
My bed HAS to be made each day. Two of my daughters make theirs every day. Not so much with third daughter and it kills me!
Making my bed everyday is a habit my Mom taught me and I continue to do it everyday. I know how you feel about your daughter not making hers – it drives me crazy when my husband stays at home and doesn’t make our bed!