M
aking your bed every morning seems like a trivial part of the day at best. It probably also brings back memories of the good old days, where a daily war was fought between your mischievous self and your insistent parents.
Whatever feelings the idea of making your bed may awaken, I’m here to tell you that doing so can have a bigger impact on the rest of your day than you think.
The simple act of making your bed in the morning can essentially set the tone for the rest of your day and lead to an overall boost in productivity. As described by Naval Admiral McRaven at the University of Texas Commencement Address in 2014:
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.
The entire premise is starting the day off right, so here are 5 reasons why you should take the 30 seconds and make your bed.
1. Builds Momentum
As Admiral McRaven puts it, finishing that first task of the day gives you a sense of pride and instills a productive mindset for the rest of the day. In essence, you’re creating some forward momentum from the moment you wake up. Getting that first small win is more powerful than we realize.
2. Leads To Other Good Habits
In the best selling book Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg drops some knowledge on how simple habits are able to reinforce other good habits, much like a trickle down effect:
“It’s not that a family meal or a tidy bed causes better grades or less frivolous spending. But somehow those initial shifts start chain reactions that help other good habits take hold.” If making my bed can help me manage my budget or start flossing every day, then sign me up!
3. Cluttered Environment = Cluttered Mind
A recent study from Princeton University found that a cluttered environment can negatively impact your ability to focus and process information. In short, a cluttered environment leads to a cluttered mind, so making your bed may help you in more ways than one.
4. Reminds You About the Importance of the Little Things
Admiral McRaven shares some more wisdom on how making your bed can be symbolic of progress in the right direction. Moreover, it can be a sign of encouragement after a tough day.
“If you can’t do the little things right, you’ll never be able to 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,” said Admiral McRaven.
5. Makes You Happy!
A survey conducted on Hunch.com found some interesting results when it explored the act of making your bed and happiness. In summary, it points to a positive correlation between making your bed and being happy.
Of course correlation isn’t the same as causation and making your bed alone isn’t going to make you instantly happy, but it certainly won’t hurt!
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In the end, in exchange for completing a simple 30 second task in the morning, you could completely change the outlook of your day. Maybe worth a shot.
Also, making your bed is just one of many habits that are worthwhile to implement in your morning routine. I’ll be writing about a series of them in the coming days and weeks, so keep a look out for more!
Image via flickr