How many of us dreaded that common refrain from our childhood of “Go make your bed!”? Did we not hate hearing it, and then go pull up the covers and flatten down the lumps as fast as we could,so we could get on with the fun part of our day? I know that was me as a child. However, I started making my bed every morning when I lived on my own in University. I found that it just made me feel better. I felt more organized and ready to start my day with a fresh perspective.
Then there were the years as a young mom with 2 little ones, that I was lucky to get out of the house with matching socks, let alone making the bed. But as the kids got older and needed less and less help from me, I started making the bed again. I have to admit that I love going into the bedroom at night, and seeing a perfectly made bed, with hospital corners, waiting for me to climb into. And the bedroom just feels more relaxed and pleasant to walk into with the bed made.
Did you also know that we spend a third of our lives in our bedroom? Yes. It’s true. That’s a lot of time to be spending in one room. Imagine if your bedroom is a cluttered mess all the time? A bedroom full of piles of junk, unused items and things that belong elsewhere seems to have on effect not only on the quality of sleep, but also our daily mental state. Studies have found that people who make their beds on a regular basis are more likely to be happier, exercise and get a better night’s sleep.
Hmmm. Does making our bed really set the tone for the day?
So, maybe the key to feeling good, getting a good night’s sleep, and being more productive during the day begins with that very simple childhood task that our mothers reminded us to do all too often.
Go make your bed!
So tell me, do you make your bed every day? If so, do you find that it makes you feel better? And if you don’t make your bed, will you try?
Will you do a thorough spring cleaning in the bedroom so that it becomes a relaxing oasis of calm in your life?
Do tell!
Even with very new babies I made all the beds- it is a thing with me- but my beds look good but not like these photos!!! I am loose in certain areas but totally need beds made every day. My mom irons the sheets even at the cottage- I think it skips a generation.
One day daughter brought home a playmate unexpectedly years ago – she was maybe 10 and she had not made her bed that day. I said “how did you like playing in your room with your pal when your room looked like that?” She didn’t like it and never missed making her bed again. Now her floor and desk are not always great though…
There aren’t many things I am obsessive about but this is one of them. Every bed made every morning no matter what. It really does start one’s day off right!
I had this very discussion with some friends this morning – I don’t make my bed every single day, but I do make it before I get into it at night. And because I’m as lazy as a muther, I don’t even use a flat sheet (duvet only) so NO hospital corners for me – I just shake out the duvet, arrange the pillows, and PRESTO! Gorgeous bed, ready for sleeping in.
I DO like to make it though – one can look into every room of our single-floor apartment, and on more than one occasion, a visitor has asked, “Oh… did I wake you up?” when they see my bed is still a rumpled heap. It always feels more restful when it’s done… and I LOVE white sheets!! 🙂