From the moment we wake up, our daily choices set the tone for the rest of the day. Amidst the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, one simple yet often overlooked habit holds the potential to impact our overall productivity, mindset, and happiness: making our beds.
Yes, you read that right.
I remember growing up and wondering why my parents asked me to make my bed in the morning. It was just going to get messed up later, so why bother? Right? It seemed a rather pointless exercise. Later, while in the army, I was again asked to make my bed every morning. While my thoughts on making the bed hadn’t changed, I certainly wasn’t going to tell my sergeant that he was in the wrong. There are some things you don’t do in the army – this is one of them. And making the bed was an expectation of any soldier. So I did it.
Fast forward to today. To say that my outlook has changed drastically over the years would be an understatement. Making the bed isn’t an expectation or an annoyance like it once was. It’s a daily practice. Well… maybe not the days when I go to work and my wife is still asleep. But you get the point.
Making your bed first thing in the morning is a simple task, but it sets a tone of accomplishment for the rest of your day. Starting with a small job creates a sense of order and control over your environment. This early victory can fuel your motivation to tackle more significant challenges throughout the day, enhancing your overall productivity and success.
In addition, a tidy and organized living space looks aesthetically pleasing and has numerous benefits for our mental well-being. A made bed instantly transforms a cluttered room into a calm and inviting sanctuary, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Additionally, maintaining an organized space makes it easier to find what you need, streamlines your morning routine, and reduces distractions that might otherwise hinder your focus.
Making your bed in the morning can also impact the quality of your sleep at night. Coming home to a well-made bed can create a sense of comfort and tranquillity, signalling your body that it’s time to relax and unwind. A comfortable sleep environment can improve sleep patterns, increasing energy levels and productivity during waking hours.
A former US Navy Seal wrote:
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. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right. 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. If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.
William A. McRaven, Make Your Bed (Page 111)
In the grand scheme of things, making your bed may seem inconsequential. However, the power of this simple daily habit should not be dismissed. Embrace this practice, and you’ll set yourself up for a day of accomplishment, productivity, and mental well-being. The ripple effects will extend far beyond the confines of your bedroom, positively influencing every aspect of your life. So, tomorrow morning, take a few extra moments to make your bed and see the impact it can have on your day.
If nothing else, your parents (or sergeant) will breathe a sigh of relief.
The CJBuzz 