National Make Your Bed Day

The First Step to World Domination

You’ve probably heard the saying, "How you do one thing is how you do everything." Well, let’s start with something simple and universally accessible—making your bed. That’s right! September 11th is National Make Your Bed Day, a day dedicated to this small but mighty task that could very well be the secret to a more organized, productive life. (Also, it makes your room look less like a disaster zone and more like an Instagrammable haven.)

The Bedrock of Success

Why make your bed, you ask? After all, you're just going to mess it up again in a few hours, right? Ah, but this small act is a Trojan horse of good habits! According to U.S. Navy Admiral William H. McRaven, who delivered a now-famous commencement speech, making your bed is the first step to achieving greatness. He claims that accomplishing this small task can set the tone for the rest of the day. And who doesn’t want a gold star before they’ve even had their morning coffee?

If it’s good enough for an admiral, it’s probably good enough for the rest of us civilians.

There’s actual psychology behind this ritual. Studies suggest that small accomplishments like making your bed can lead to bigger achievements. It triggers a chain reaction—checking off a to-do list, working out, eating that kale salad you swore you were going to eat. All thanks to those neatly tucked-in corners.

It’s like a gateway drug to being an organized adult, only this one doesn’t ruin your life.

You’ve Been Doing It Wrong

But don’t just toss your duvet haphazardly and call it a day. There’s an art to bed-making. Hospital corners, anyone? Not only do they scream “I’ve got my life together,” but they also ensure you won’t kick your sheets into a tangled mess at 2 a.m., waking up in a cocoon of confusion.

Pro tip: Fluff your pillows. Pillows are the punctuation of bed-making. A fluffy pillow says, “I care about the details,” while a flat one says, “I’ve given up, send help.”

Make It Fun (Yes, Really)

Let’s face it, making your bed isn’t exactly the most thrilling of activities, but with a little imagination, it can be! Why not time yourself and see if you can break your own record? Turn it into a mini competition with your housemates or family. Or, blast your favorite playlist and make it part of your morning dance routine.

If you’ve got kids, this is your opportunity to turn them into bed-making champions. Offer rewards for the best-tucked corners or the puffiest pillows. Who knew bribery could be such a wonderful parenting tool?

The Benefits: More Than Just A Pretty Room

Aside from the obvious (your room will look less like a crime scene), making your bed has other tangible benefits:

1. Stress Reduction: A tidy space can help reduce stress and anxiety. There’s something about walking into a clean room that soothes the soul. It’s like your brain says, “Ahhh, everything is fine. Look at those straight sheets!”
2. Improved Sleep Quality: A well-made bed actually invites better sleep. Climbing into a neatly arranged bed feels like slipping into a luxurious hotel, even if you’re just working with standard-issue bedsheets.
3. Increased Productivity: Psychologically, this simple task can snowball into a day of productive behavior. Make the bed, answer those emails, organize the pantry. Soon enough, you’re running the world—or at least your household.
4. Impressing Guests: Okay, maybe not something we think about every day, but if a surprise guest does drop by, at least your bed isn’t a pile of chaos. That’s got to count for something!

But Wait—Do I Have to Make My Bed?

Of course, we can’t ignore the great debate among morning routine rebels: Do you really have to make your bed? Some people have made a career out of proudly proclaiming that they leave their bed in a state of disarray. Their argument? It’s all about airflow! According to these non-bed-makers, a rumpled, exposed bed allows the sheets to "breathe," keeping your bedding fresher and potentially even reducing the build-up of dust mites. The theory goes that making your bed immediately after waking up traps the moisture from your body (yes, we all sweat, gross but true) and creates a cozy paradise for dust mites to thrive. So, in essence, leaving your bed unmade is supposed to be a healthy, responsible choice.

Now, before you throw off your sheets and declare victory over the bed-making masses, let’s examine this claim a little more closely. First of all, most experts suggest that if you're really concerned about dust mites, just let the bed air out for 30 minutes or so before making it. You can open the window, grab your coffee, and return to neatly tuck everything in. So, technically, both camps win: your sheets get to breathe, and you still end up with a tidy, Instagram-worthy bed.

Secondly, let’s not forget the psychological benefits of bed-making. Sure, letting your sheets “breathe” sounds like a noble excuse, but if that’s the case, why stop at your bed? Why not leave the dishes in the sink so they can "air out" too? The truth is, leaving the bed unmade may give you a fleeting sense of rebellious satisfaction, but is it worth the chaos that greets you at the end of a long day? Imagine this: you’ve survived a tough day at work, fought traffic, and finally come home, only to be greeted by a pile of blankets that looks more like a tornado aftermath than a cozy retreat. Not exactly the peaceful welcome you were hoping for, right?

And then there’s the matter of habit-building. Sure, skipping the bed-making task may seem harmless, but it can be a slippery slope. One day, it’s the bed; the next, it’s the laundry, and before you know it, you’re living in a nest of unwashed clothes and unfinished tasks. Making your bed is a simple, quick win, and if we’re being honest, we all need a few easy victories in the morning. It’s a reminder that no matter what else happens that day, you’ve accomplished at least one thing—and sometimes, that’s all you need to keep the ball rolling.

Still not convinced? Let’s take a moment to reflect on how much time it really takes to make your bed. We’re talking a minute, maybe two, tops. It’s faster than scrolling through social media or procrastinating about not making your bed. Even if you’re late for work, those few extra seconds to pull the duvet up and fluff the pillows probably won’t make or break your day. But the psychological boost from walking out the door knowing you’ve already completed your first task? That’s priceless.

So, no, you technically don’t have to make your bed, but the question is: why wouldn’t you? The energy spent debating whether or not to do it could already be used for, well, actually doing it. And let’s be honest, does anyone really regret a made bed?

Tips for the Lazy Bed-Maker

Let’s be real. Sometimes the idea of making your bed feels about as appealing as doing taxes. For those mornings when you just can’t, here are a few shortcuts that still give you a sense of accomplishment:

• Minimal Effort Mode: Pull the duvet up, throw the pillows in place, and walk away. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing.
• Pillow Pile: Stack your pillows artfully. The bed’s not made, but the chaos is camouflaged.
• Sheet Smoothing: Just smooth out the wrinkles. No one will know how chaotic it really is underneath.

Whether you’re a lifelong bed-making enthusiast or a bed-making skeptic, National Make Your Bed Day is a great reminder that small changes can lead to big results. It’s a metaphor for life: tidy your space, tidy your mind, and everything else might just fall into place.

So tomorrow morning, as you stare at the rumpled mess you left behind, ask yourself, “Do I want to start my day like a rockstar or like a raccoon?” If the answer is rockstar, fluff those pillows, smooth those sheets, and walk out of your room like you’re ready to conquer the world.

Because let’s face it, you just might.

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