It might sound trivial, but making your bed each morning can genuinely transform your day. It’s a small act that leads to greater happiness, clarity, and productivity. Research even backs this up.
Ever since I became a parent nearly 30 years ago, I’ve been on a quest for family management tips. Motherhood taught me the value of efficiency in balancing work and home life, and how being organized afforded me more precious moments with my children.
As parents, we’re constantly juggling our time among numerous vital tasks. Gradually, we find ourselves sacrificing certain things we care about for others we deem more crucial.
In my leadership training sessions, I often discuss how life’s decisions aren’t as challenging when they involve choosing between something very important and something less so. The real difficulty lies in choosing between two equally important things. This becomes a frequent reality when children enter our lives, and it’s far from easy.
I know many people, myself included, who maintained a clean and orderly home until kids came along. I recall the dilemma of wanting my daughter to freely play with her toys on the floor, yet also desiring a toy-free, tidy space.
This led to a constant choice: either go to bed with a cluttered floor or stay up late tidying, only for the toys to be scattered again the next morning. It was an endless struggle.
Even now, I find myself torn between doing things I want, things I need, and other things I both want and need. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day, days in the week, or weeks in the year to accomplish everything I aspire to. It’s a challenging aspect of life, but it’s the reality we all navigate.
The Simple Joy of Making Your Bed A neatly made bed
In the ongoing “choose your battles” of life, I’ve found that some straightforward actions can significantly ease our daily routines. This insight came from one of my clients, Sandra.
The Bed-Making Dilemma Sandra, who had been married for 24 years, harbored resentment towards her husband for never helping make their bed. On weekdays, he rose earlier, leaving her to tidy up. On weekends, regardless of when he woke, the bed remained unmade. She detested this.
Curious, I asked why a made bed mattered to her. She believed that on days when the bed was made, her thoughts were clearer. This prompted me to reflect on my own experiences and, indeed, I noticed a similar pattern. A tidy bed seemed to bring a sense of order to my evening.
The Impact of Bed Making Researching further, I stumbled upon a study involving 68,000 people about bed-making habits. About 59% didn’t make their bed, 27% did, and 12% hired someone for the task. Interestingly, 71% of bed-makers identified as happy, while 62% of non-bed-makers reported unhappiness.
The study suggested that bed-makers generally enjoy their jobs more, are homeowners, exercise regularly, and feel well-rested. In contrast, those who didn’t make their bed often disliked their jobs, rented homes, skipped the gym, and woke up tired.
This resonated with Sandra’s situation.
Making the bed, to me, was akin to dressing up and looking in the mirror each morning. The reflection we carry with us influences our mood throughout the day.
In essence, if you seek happiness, start by making your bed. This simple, 20-second task can significantly boost your well-being in our hectic lives.
The Value of a 20-Second Task Children making their beds
Working with Sandra, I realized her resentment stemmed from her husband’s lack of participation in household chores. When asked, she estimated bed-making took only 20 seconds.
We shifted our focus to the time, energy, and money she invested in her happiness. Compared to the 20 minutes she spent on her hair each morning, 20 seconds for bed-making was negligible.
This perspective shift was a revelation for Sandra. She began to view bed-making as a self-care act, enhancing her clarity and happiness, rather than a chore neglected by her husband.
Our sessions then evolved from bed-making disputes to improving household communication and sharing responsibilities.
Indeed, a tidy bedroom can set a positive tone for the day. For busy parents and those juggling multiple responsibilities, making your bed offers a quick, cost-effective boost to happiness.
Extending the Habit to Children Teaching children to make their beds, even as young as four, can be beneficial. Simple tasks like folding nightclothes and straightening blankets instill a sense of organization and can contribute to their overall happiness. Making it a daily habit can have lasting positive effects on their well-being.
