Understanding the psychological benefits of making your bed

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This article was written by Sergio Miller.

There is usually a high percentage of people who would agree that making their bed before leaving home was not always something they were keen to do as teenagers.

Although simple and straightforward, it often appears on the list of tasks that many would prefer to procrastinate doing – along with doing dishes of course.

However, you have to admit that there is a feeling of liberation that enters your body after you eventually decide to gather the courage and tidy your bed – and there is a good reason for that!

The health and wellness publication Very Well Mind, highlights that while research on the topic is slim, there is a solid body of evidence which shows a clear living in an organised environment and having improved focus.

“Scientific studies frequently find correlations between mental wellness and clutter. For example, one 2016 study from the University of New Mexico found that clutter directly interfered with the participants’ ability to feel pleasure in a space,” explains the wellness publication Real Simple.

In addition to this, clinical health psychologist and instructor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School Natalie Christine, points out that those who live in cluttered environments often find themselves enduring more stress.

She later asked the question: “Is it that when we are under stress, our ability to maintain a well-organised home becomes impaired? Or when our home is in disarray, does that make us feel more stressed, overwhelmed and anxious?”

She later concluded that it is a mixture of both, since high-stress levels prevent one from organising their home, but clutter itself can also lead to increased stress.

This is where making your bed becomes one of the most useful solutions to solving this problem.

Bear, a company specialising in mattresses explains that making your bed, “Creates a visually pleasing space, free from the clutter and chaos that an unmade bed can convey.”

“This small act of tidiness can contribute to a feeling of control over your surroundings, instilling a sense of calmness and reducing stress,” explains Bear.

This publication also adds that this improves productivity and enhances discipline.

“By completing a simple task right at the start of your day, you cultivate a sense of accomplishment and motivation to tackle other tasks.”

This article first appeared on Bona.