Before you go quoting “the early bird catches the most worms” for the week ahead, start your days by making your bed.

Consider a quote from William McRaven’s book, ‘Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe the World’ which 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. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.”

Though McRaven is a retired US Navy SEAL and a Four-Star Admiral and his words were, in part, inspired by the discipline instilled during his time in the Navy, the act of making one’s bed is not limited to a soldier’s life.

In fact, everyone is encouraged to do it as the benefits of making your bed in the mornings have a significant impact on how you approach the rest of your day.

Here are some other reasons making your bed is beneficial to you:

It can lead to better productivity

Charles Duhigg, author of ‘The Power of Habit’, says that daily bed-making, once intertwined as one of your keystone habits, tends to kickstart a chain of other good decisions throughout the day, and gives you a sense of taking charge.

These keystone habits, he claims, cumulatively lead to a greater sense of well-being and stronger skills at sticking with other habits such as a following a budget.

It can lower your stress and improve your mood

You spend a fair amount of time in your bedroom, and the appearance of that space can affect your mood. In a messy room, it is difficult feeling relaxed and grounded. Believe it or not, when you make your bed, you create a vibe of tranquility. Doing that also has connections with you taking care of your surroundings and encourages cleanliness that can play a part in lifting your mood and lightening your emotional burdens.

During research for her book, ‘The Happiness Project’, Gretchen Rubin found that one of the most common simple changes that led to happiness was learning to make the bed each morning. So, give it a shot and intentionally make your bed every morning.

It helps you to sleep better

Research has shown that people who spend time making their beds are more likely to experience a good night’s sleep than those who don’t. When you experience a restful sleep, it is said that you are more likely to balance your mood, and improve energy levels.

Making your bed can lead to less dust under the covers

Making the bed does not mean that you will never have to dust your home again. However, pulling your sheets and comforters snug over your bed can protect your bed from excess dust that may accumulate while you’re at work or at school during the day. If you have pets inside, the same is true for those that have fur and may carry dust and dirt from other spaces onto your bed.

Though slightly unrelated, making your bed everyday should go hand in hand with frequently changing and washing your sheets. That also adds to cleanliness which then filters into other benefits of making your bed.

If making your bed has not been part of your daily routine, consciously make the effort to incorporate it into your regime, and make a note of any minor or major changes in your life.

Have a great week!

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