Can Making Your Bed in The Morning Lead to Happiness and Success?

We all know organized people and have all their ducks in a row – so to speak, they are organized. Their homes are neat. However, we almost inevitably know those who don’t make their beds in the morning – many say that their time would be better employed with other tasks (like looking for clean laundry).

But all of those opinions we have on the habits of those in our closest circle are just hearsay. A survey was conducted where around 1,000 individuals were surveyed.  The results were enlightening because 50% made their beds in the morning, and the other 50% did not. So settle back down on your mattress and learn more about how the simple task of making your bed can change your life.

Setting Up for Success

There is a certain sense of accomplishment to making your bed in the morning. Three-quarters of those who made their bed claimed that they felt that – the others did not start their day with that positive mindset.

That first task of the day was important to 82% of the respondents involved in the study. It may be a tiny task – but respondents said it set them up for a more productive day. 92% of ‘bed makers’ recommended the task as a way of fostering a positive mindset.

Time Management and Productivity

The wise men said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  Simply making your bed helps keep you happy during the day. The ones who made their bed in the survey are among those who do not struggle to manage their time and are more productive. We live in a world that is governed by time constraints – but those who made their beds in the morning claimed that they were less stressed about these pressures than those who did not undertake that small daily task.

We have all seen it before – that co-worker who is late every morning. They seem disorganized. Their equipment and essential work items are in disorder, and they seem to have an air of endless confusion. If the study results are to be believed, it is more than likely that they are ‘nonbed makers.’

Those who make their beds in the morning claim that they settle into their workday at a leisurely pace – while those who do not make their beds are rushed – they start work the moment they get through the door. Perhaps this is worthy of attention by human resources personal across the globe (a section on the job application, perhaps?).

But there’s also the issue of productivity. Answering the question of whether they thought they were ‘very productive’ or productive’ those who made their beds in the morning answered in the affirmative 92% of the time – non-bed makers responded yes only 84% of the time. Those who made their beds were also opinion that the quality of their work was superior to non-bed makers.

The survey also revealed that bedmakers went above and beyond the call of duty. They would overperform on any given task even when a lower quality of work would be acceptable.

Habit Forming

It seems pretty obvious that those who take the time to make their bed each morning would value a sense of structure and order in their lives. The survey results showed this – respondents who made their beds in the morning (around 80% of them) followed set routines and schedules.

You can spot those people in your office without much effort. They are the ones who have a daily organizer with them at all times – or are checking their smart devices at regular intervals – to make sure that they are prepared for that next strategically important meeting. They are that 72% of people (bed makers) like to be organized and plan their day. They are not only tidy and organized – they tend to have healthier lifestyles.

Here’s an example- those people are 8 percent more likely to make regular dental appointments. 15% Of them are also more likely to eat healthy food and take regular exercise. They are also better with money – they tend to have budgets that they stick with (at least two-thirds do) – their personal finances also tend to be healthier than those who do not make their bed in the morning. It’s not only their beds – 80% of them undertake regular household chores. Three out of four of these people also have a mindset that prioritizes responsibility of desire.

Houseproud

If you visit a friend and see a neat home, the chances are that if you enter their bedroom, that bed will be made up. The study results showed that those who made their beds in the morning were cleaner and tidier than those who did not. Around four-fifths of those who responded that they made their beds in the morning were houseproud and more productive around their home. Only two-thirds of non-bed makers shared those traits.

There are few things more distressing than a toilet that looks as if it has not been cleaned in months. People who don’t make their beds are four times more likely to rarely (if ever) clean their toilets. They also put off washing those dishes that pile up in the sink (they’ll put that task off for at least two days).

However, it’s not only work habits that paint morning bed makers in a positive light- they tend to shine in their off-hours as well. 72% are productive during their time off, with many hitting the gym or spending quality time with those nearest and dearest.

Better Sleep and the Made Up Bed

Which is true – that those who get a good night’s sleep are more likely to make their beds in the morning or that those who make their beds in the morning get a better night’s sleep? That’s a difficult question to answer – but the ex[perts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend at least seven hours of quality sleep per night. As we get older, our need for sleep increases (especially over 60). teens and school goers also need more than the average adult.

But what has this got to do with the habit of making your bed in the morning? Strangely enough, those who make their beds in the morning report that they get an average of even hour sleep a night. Non-makers regularly fell short of that goal.

Even if they were a couple of hours short a night, what possible difference could that make to their lives? If it was only the odd night now and then, probably very little. But the lack of sleep has a cumulative effect. Miss out on two hours a night, and by the end of the week, your body and mind will feel the effects. It also seems that bed makers have fewer problems falling asleep and getting up in the morning. They don’t hit that snooze button as often as those who do not make their bed in the morning (around half of the non-bed makers try to grab some extra ‘Z’s’ in the morning. Only 35% of bedmakers try for those additional minutes under the covers. But some do – but that time is also productive. Many are thinking of their schedules or digesting the news of the day. There was a pretty even split between the bed makers and non-bed makers when it came to the task of actually getting out of bed. It was how those extra minutes were used that differed.

Sleep and a Quality Mattress

There can be no argument that a good night’s sleep is beneficial. We help to make that great night’s sleep a reality by providing great mattress solutions. But before you make your mattress selection consider a few factors. Your sleeping position for one. Side sleepers benefit from a softer mattress (it helps cushion pressure points such as hips and shoulders), while those suffering from back pain benefit from a firmer mattress. The core of the mattress can also make a difference. Latex cores, memory foam, and inner springs all have their pros and cons. Take some time to think about what sort of support is best for you – and set aside some time to make your bed in the morning – it can make a world of difference to your life.