Point-Counterpoint : Should you make your Bed?

By Zhaohan Zhang and Tony Salgado

Point:

Should you make your bed in the morning? Answer no

It was 77,000 when man created one of the world's greatest inventions, the bed. Along with this comes the simple chore of making your bed. For years, people have sworn that this is a good practice of discipline and self-respect. What if we refute this claim and instead state that making your bed isn't as beneficial as many are led to believe and that the opposite is better? 

Well, first, let's talk about some of the benefits and why we are told to make our beds. For one, somebody could argue it provides better habits; by immediately waking up and then making your bed, you are creating good practice for yourself and decreasing the likelihood of falling back asleep. It might also be argued that making your bed results in better organizational skills, improved focus and foundational skills, increased productivity, increased mental health issues, and less stress. A lot of these are closer to speculation as the research on the subject of research on making your bed is mainly obscure and minor. So, while studies show that there is some correlation between the tidiness of life and bed, it could still lean the other way.

To show this, let's talk about the benefits of being less organized and leaving your bed as is. Well, for one, let's talk about the stuff that doesn't regard us humans but instead dust mites. It might be gross to think about, but we actually share our beds every night with millions of tiny creatures known as dust mites. They thrive and live in very damp and dark places; a covered bed would be one of the most common places for them to live; hence, why there are so many dust mites in your bed. Because there are so many dust mites already, you would likely assume that having more isn't really an issue; they aren't doing much anyway; well, you would be wrong. Dust mites are a prevalent factor in allergic reactions to millions of people across the globe. A large gathering of dust mites can cause hay fever or even an asthmatic attack, assuming you are susceptible to those symptoms; not something that super affects everyone, but still something that isn't great. So, while you make your bed in the morning, you are trapping the moisture from your sweat under your covers, creating a prime habitat and breeding ground for dust mites. 

Next, let's talk about saving time. Although the action of making your bed isn't precisely a tedious or difficult task, the simple 5 minutes it takes to complete the task doesn't seem like a lot. Generally, it isn't. However, there are many cases where some people do not have the time, whether that be for school, a job, or even other engagements like traveling. It requires someone to be up early and active, so in some cases, the 5 minutes it takes isn't so likely, especially if the person is staying late working on a project or a piece of work. This also connects to a sense of freedom or a creation of a lack of responsibility or requirement to do something. Again, people have a lot of work to finish. Most high schoolers can relate to pulling an all-nighter or working on something late at night or early in the morning; in comparison, making your bed is very trivial and something that can and should easily be overlooked.

This next portion is a lot more subjective as there isn't much research done on this topic. Still, it regards the mental health and physical benefits. To start being messy with the inclusion of an unmade bed could actually be a sign of comfort as it shows a more realistic world; most assume that having a dirty room can lead to adverse effects, but multiple studies show a dirty room can lead to a more significant increase in creativity or might be easier for some people which is why inherently some people might have more messy rooms and enjoy it like that, this also applies to beds in the same way having an unmade bed might not have any proven psychological benefits as it currently stands, but it can be seen that there is a larger sense of comfort and freedom from the idea of not making your bed.

So, although arguments can be made for both sides and the minimal quantity of actual research in this field due to comfort, general allergen safety, and simple time, I believe that making your bed in the morning isn't and shouldn't be a requirement to lead a very fulfilling life.

Counterpoint:

Should you make your bed in the morning? Answer Yes.

You are jolted awake by the harsh blare of your alarm clock. Half asleep, you rub your eyes, struggling to orient yourself in the dim room. The shrill sound slices through the silence, and as your eyes adjust, you finally find the snooze button. The peace returns, but you know the day has already begun and is calling you to face it head-on.

The first task of the day is making your bed. Like clockwork, you fluff the pillows, smooth the covers, and in a few quick motions, the bed is made. You move on without a second thought—it’s simply routine, something you do without thinking.

Fast forward to the evening. After a long day of challenges, you return home, tired and unsure if you’ve truly conquered the day. But when you walk into your room and see your neatly made bed, a small sense of pride washes over you. You realize that, no matter how difficult the day was, you at least have one thing to show for it: a well-made bed—one that you made.

The act of making your bed is something some people swear by, while others staunchly resist it. Perhaps there is some merit in leaving your bed unmade, especially if you're just going to mess it up again later. Maybe it seems better to let your bed be—neat or messy, it doesn’t really matter. Or perhaps you see yourself as a free spirit, unbothered by the “rules” of tidying up.

But what if I told you that making your bed each morning carries more weight than you might initially believe?

As Navy Admiral William H. McRaven shared in his University of Texas commencement speech in 2014:

“If you want to change the world, start by making your bed.”

While the act of making your bed may seem small, even insignificant in the grand scheme of life, it holds more value than many realize. The little, monotonous tasks matter more than we often think. How we approach the small things is often how we approach everything. Starting your day with a small victory like making your bed can set the tone for success. Research by Kenneth McGraw at the University of Mississippi found that the biggest obstacle to success is simply starting—and a small win like making your bed can help overcome that. Additional studies from Vanderbilt University Medical Center show that nurses who begin their day by accomplishing small tasks experience greater success throughout the day. Moreover, the Harvard Business Review found that such catalysts can increase your chances of having a good day by 43 percent.

Making your bed isn’t just about starting the day right—it’s also about the psychological benefits it brings. The American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that organizing your environment can reduce stress and contribute to a sense of control. Similarly, the National Sleep Foundation’s 2020 study revealed that a tidy environment promotes better sleep and reduces anxiety.

The evidence is clear—making your bed can boost productivity, mental health, and overall well-being. But beyond the scientific studies, there’s a deeper, philosophical aspect to consider.

As the Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius once said:

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”

This embodies the Stoic philosophy of action over theory—focusing not on the ideals but on the execution. When we debate whether making the bed is worth the time, we’re not embodying the values of discipline and responsibility. Instead, we should act on those values directly. The simple act of making your bed reflects self-discipline, personal responsibility, and the control we have over our own environment. By doing so, you live intentionally, focusing on what you can control in your life.

An argument can be made that leaving your bed unmade reflects comfort and freedom, or even creativity. However, this overlooks several key aspects of personal discipline and structure. While some may find comfort in a less structured environment, research has shown that discipline and structure actually support creativity by helping individuals maintain focus. Comfort does not necessarily mean freedom, nor does avoiding responsibility create true freedom. In fact, making your bed may offer its own form of freedom—a sense of control over your space and a small victory to begin your day.

In the end, making your bed is not a grand gesture—it’s a small, deliberate action that requires little effort yet has a significant impact on your mindset and environment. It helps shape your day, builds character, and promotes mental clarity. While rejecting routine might seem appealing, it’s important to recognize that discipline and structure bring their own forms of freedom and creativity. Ultimately, it’s in these small, intentional acts that we set the tone for our lives and our future success. So, as simple as it may seem, starting your day by making your bed may be the first step toward making a meaningful difference in your life—one small victory at a time.