How the military makes you make your bed: Top 5 Tips

If you’re looking for how the military makes you make your bed, it’s all about discipline and small victories. Here’s a quick answer:

• Pull covers tight and smooth
• Tuck corners perfectly
• Keep pillow straight and centered
• Ensure no wrinkles

How many times have you heard “make your bed first” and dismissed it as unnecessary? In the military, this simple act goes beyond neatness. It’s about motivation, discipline, and setting the tone for optimal performance throughout the day. Admiral William H. McRaven, a former Navy SEAL, highlighted this in his famous commencement speech at the University of Texas, emphasizing that such small victories can transform your life.

As someone who has digd deep into sleep and habit formation, I can affirm that starting your day with a made bed can fuel your motivation and productivity. If nothing else gets done, you’ll have accomplished one thing. I’m Ben Trapskin, and through personal experience and research, I’ve learned how the military emphasizes bed-making for these exact reasons.

Scroll down to find why the military makes you make your bed and how it brings more than just order to your day.

Quick look at How the military makes you make your bed:

• Who invented beds
• How To Move a mattress by yourself without getting hurt
• How to Fold Fitted Sheets

Why the Military Makes You Make Your Bed

The Importance of Discipline

In the military, making your bed is more than just a chore. It’s a powerful tool for instilling discipline. Admiral William H. McRaven, a retired Navy SEAL, highlighted this in his 2014 commencement speech at the University of Texas. He shared ten life lessons learned from SEAL training, with making your bed being the first.

“If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another.” – Admiral McRaven

This daily habit reinforces the idea that small victories lead to bigger achievements. It’s about starting your day with a win, setting a tone of motivation and discipline that carries through to other tasks.

Building a Routine

A consistent morning routine is essential for productivity. In the military, the act of making your bed is the first step in a series of disciplined actions. This routine builds habits that are crucial for optimal performance.

Admiral McRaven’s speech emphasized that making your bed can lead to a chain reaction of productivity. By starting with a simple task, you create momentum for the day. This concept, often referred to as habit stacking, is supported by research in behavioral psychology. Completing one task encourages you to tackle another, creating a snowball effect of accomplishments.

For example, once you make your bed, you might find it easier to:

• Tidy up your room for a quick 10 minutes
• Prepare a healthy breakfast
• Plan your day with a clear mind

These small wins add up, making you feel more accomplished and less overwhelmed by larger tasks.

In SEAL training, as McRaven explained, the focus on small tasks like bed-making teaches recruits to handle the little things right. If you can’t do the small things correctly, you won’t be able to tackle the big challenges. This principle applies to daily life, whether you’re in the military or not.

By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can harness the same benefits. Start with making your bed, and watch how it transforms your day.

Next, we’ll dive into how to make a bed like in the military, providing a step-by-step guide to get those hospital corners just right.

How to Make a Bed Like in the Military

Step-by-Step Guide

Making your bed like in the military isn’t just about neatness; it’s about precision and discipline. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to get those hospital corners and tight sheets perfect:

1. Remove all bedding: Strip your bed down to the mattress.
2. Place the fitted sheet: Ensure it’s snug and wrinkle-free.
3. Lay the flat sheet: Center it evenly on the bed, with equal overhang on both sides.
4. Create hospital corners:
   • Tuck the end of the sheet under the mattress at the foot of the bed.
   • Lift the side of the sheet to form a 45-degree angle.
   • Tuck the loose part under the mattress, then fold the angled part down and tuck it tightly.
5. Add the blanket: Place it just like the flat sheet, and repeat the hospital corners.
6. Tighten the sheets: Pull the sheets tight to remove any wrinkles.
7. Pillow placement: Fluff your pillows and place them neatly at the head of the bed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To achieve a military-standard bed, avoid these common pitfalls:

• Loose sheets: Ensure your sheets are pulled tight. Loose sheets give a messy appearance and don’t provide the crisp look required.
• Uneven corners: Make sure your hospital corners are symmetrical. Uneven corners can make the bed look sloppy.
• Improper folding: When making hospital corners, fold the sheet at a precise 45-degree angle. Incorrect angles can lead to untidy edges.

By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can master the art of military bed-making and start your day with a sense of accomplishment.

Psychological Benefits of Making Your Bed

Starting Your Day with a Win

Making your bed every morning might seem like a small task, but it’s a powerful way to kickstart your day. Admiral William H. McRaven said, “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day.” This small victory can set a positive tone for the rest of the day.

When you complete this first task, you gain a sense of accomplishment. This feeling can motivate you to tackle more tasks throughout the day, boosting your overall productivity. It’s like a domino effect—one small win leads to another, and before you know it, you’ve had a highly productive day.

Impact on Mental Health

Making your bed can also have a significant impact on your mental health. Here’s how:

• Sense of Control: In a world full of uncertainties, making your bed is something you can control. This small act can give you a sense of order and stability, which is crucial for mental well-being.
• Reduced Stress: A neatly made bed can make your room look tidier and more organized. This can reduce stress and anxiety, as cluttered spaces often lead to cluttered minds.
• Improved Mood: Waking up to a clean and organized space can improve your mood. It sets a positive tone for the day and can make you feel more at ease.

By starting your day with this simple task, you not only boost your productivity but also improve your mental health. It’s a small habit that can lead to big changes in your life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Military Bed-Making

Why do they make you make your bed in the military?

In the military, making your bed every morning is more than just a chore. It’s a discipline exercise designed to instill habits that lead to optimal performance. Admiral William H. McRaven, a retired Navy SEAL, emphasized this in his famous commencement speech. He said, “If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day.” This small victory sets a positive tone, creating a sense of motivation to tackle more tasks throughout the day.

Why make your bed every morning Navy SEAL?

For Navy SEALs, making the bed is about more than just neatness. It’s a way to start the day with a small victory. McRaven highlighted that this simple act can give you a sense of pride and encourage you to complete more tasks. By the end of the day, these small victories add up, significantly boosting your productivity. It’s a way to demonstrate that little things matter, and getting them right can lead to getting the big things right.

What is the rule 1 make your bed?

Admiral McRaven’s “rule 1” is straightforward: make your bed. This principle underscores the importance of discipline and taking care of small tasks. He believed that if you can’t do the little things right, you’ll struggle with the bigger challenges. Making your bed is a simple yet powerful way to start your day with a win, setting the stage for a productive and successful day.

By incorporating this habit, you can create a ripple effect of motivation, discipline, and productivity in your daily life.

Conclusion

At Yawnder, we understand the profound impact that small daily habits, like making your bed, can have on your life. Our goal is to help you create the perfect sleep environment, starting with expert evaluations of the best mattresses and bedding.

Why Choose Yawnder?

• Expert Evaluations: Our team of experts rigorously tests and reviews each product to ensure you get the best quality. We consider factors like firmness, durability, and comfort to help you make an informed decision.

• Perfect Mattress and Bedding: We offer a wide range of mattresses and bedding to suit every sleeper’s needs. Whether you prefer a firm mattress or a plush duvet, we have options that will help you get the restful sleep you deserve.

• Direct-to-Door Shipping: We make it easy to get your new mattress and bedding with our hassle-free direct-to-door shipping. No need to worry about logistics; we handle it all for you.

Making your bed every morning is a small habit with big benefits. Pair it with a comfortable mattress and quality bedding from Yawnder, and you’ll be well on your way to better sleep and a more productive day.

Ready to transform your sleep experience? Check out our bedding collection and start waking up refreshed and refreshd.

By focusing on these small, impactful habits and choosing the right sleep products, you can create a positive ripple effect throughout your day. Let’s take this step together towards a more disciplined, productive, and restful life.