While many of us see housework as daunting, an extended stressful period in life or mental illness can make the simplest chores seem insurmountable. However, figuring out a way to do just one small thing can give you an instant mood boost and a sense of regaining agency and control of your life. In her book How to Keep House While Drowning, KC Davis explains that you don’t have to do everything at once or do it perfectly. Housework doesn’t require an all-or-nothing approach. You can simply pick a thing to do, attempt as much of it as you like and then stop. Without guilt. As little as throwing a quilt over your bed counts. When you give yourself permission to only do a little bit and nothing else, you may end up accomplishing more things than you could’ve imagined.

Are you a hot sleeper?
If you tend to sweat a lot at night, toss and turn trying to find a cooler spot, and wake up frequently feeling overheated, opt for not making your bed and see if that makes a difference. Most of these issues have to do with your body being not-so-great at regulating your temperature, but if you make your warm, sweaty bed in the morning, you might come back to the sheets and pillows being wet and even smelly. Definitely not conducive to good sleep. Unmade sheets also feel cooler, and that’s one of the things that can help you fall asleep.

Do you live in a tropical climate?
If the air tends to be hot and humid where you live, consider not making your bed. First of all, your sheets will feel cooler when you get into your bed, at least in the beginning when you’re trying to fall asleep. Second, lett your bedding air out during the day even though it’s humid. It’s still better than having all of the night’s moisture, sweat, and heat trapped under the sheets for an entire day. If you can manage a bigger task in the morning, remove and hang your sheets and take off the pillowcases from the pillows so that they can all properly dry. And finally, opt for natural fabrics for your bedding that are highly breathable and moisture-wicking. Bamboo bed sheets are an excellent option for warmer climates.

Bottom line
There’s no right or wrong when it comes to housework in general and making your bed in the morning. A made-up bed can have a positive effect on your mood and overall productivity, while an unmade bed can be better for your health if you have an allergy or suffer from bouts of back pain. We hope that our review of reasons for and against making a bed in the morning helps you make a decision that is right for you.