I admit I was once a neglectful bed-owner. I was the busy mom who left the house every morning without so much as picking a forlorn pillow off the floor.
In my defense, I do manage to get two boys and one teenage daughter plus myself all out the door every morning - dressed, fed(ish) and on time(ish.)
I am proud to say however that I have reformed my ways and now make my bed ((almost)) every morning. That is to say, I get the comforter straightened up and pillows tossed back on top, more or less. And you know, it makes me happy. I almost feel like I am doing something just for me, sort of like pampering myself in a weird sort of way.
Actually, there are several very good reasons why we should be making our beds regularly . According to Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, doing this one simple task every morning can motivate us to cultivate other good habits.
"Making your bed every morning is correlated with better productivity, a greater sense of well-being, and stronger skills at sticking with a budget," says Duhigg . "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."
There are more benefits to taking a moment or two every day to pull up the blankets and fluff those pillows.
You might just get a better night's sleep.
A National Sleep Foundation poll found that survey participants who reported regularly making their bed were also more likely to say that they got a good night's sleep most nights.
Your bed linens and pillows will look better longer.
Carolyn Forte, the director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, recommends making your bed because it helps minimize wrinkles in your sheets and keep pillows fluffed. Being kind to your linens will help them look clean and new longer.
But really, it just makes you feel good. And feeling good when you leave the house in the morning is a great way to start your day, And coming home to a pretty made-up bed does wonders to help you start to relax after being busy all day!