You should never make your bed right after waking up

Many of us have been taught to make our beds the moment we wake up, setting a tone of order and accomplishment for the day. But what if making your bed right away could actually be doing more harm than good? Dr. Myro Figura, a Los Angeles-based physician, has shared an intriguing perspective that has since gone viral: leaving your bed unmade after waking up can help reduce dust mites and allergens, potentially improving your health. Let’s delve into the science behind this advice and explore why it might be worth rethinking your morning routine.

Dust Mites and Their Effects: The Invisible Invaders in Your Bed

Dust mites are tiny creatures that thrive in warm, humid environments, making your bed an ideal habitat. These microscopic creatures feed on the dead skin cells we naturally shed, particularly while we sleep. Although they don’t bite or transmit diseases, dust mites can trigger allergies, asthma, and skin conditions like eczema. Their presence in bedding can lead to symptoms such as sneezing, itchy skin, and a stuffy nose.

According to Dr. Figura, the average mattress can harbor up to 10 million dust mites. Even pillows aren’t safe; in fact, a pillow that’s two years old may contain up to 10% dust mites and their waste. With such staggering numbers, it’s easy to see why minimizing dust mites in your sleeping space could significantly impact your comfort and health.

Why Making Your Bed Immediately Encourages Dust Mites

You might think that making your bed keeps everything tidy and clean, but Dr. Figura points out that this seemingly harmless habit actually creates a perfect breeding ground for dust mites. When you sleep, you sweat and release moisture, which becomes trapped in your bedding, mattress, and pillows. By making your bed right away, you effectively seal in this moisture, locking in the humidity that dust mites love.

Dust mites thrive in moist environments, so immediately covering your bed prevents the bedding from airing out and drying. This habit, however well-intentioned, actually promotes a dust-mite-friendly environment where these allergens can multiply, worsening allergy symptoms and indoor air quality.

The Benefits of Leaving Your Bed Unmade in the Morning

Leaving your bed unmade may sound counterintuitive, but it actually provides several health benefits. Here’s why this simple change could be a game-changer for allergy sufferers:

• Reduces Moisture in Bedding: Allowing your bed to air out for an hour or two each morning gives the sheets and mattress time to dry, reducing the humidity that dust mites need to survive.
• Dehydrates Dust Mites: Dust mites are highly susceptible to dry conditions. By leaving your bed unmade, you create an environment that’s inhospitable for these creatures, naturally reducing their numbers over time.
• Improves Indoor Air Quality: Fewer dust mites mean fewer allergens in the air, which can translate to easier breathing, fewer allergy symptoms, and a healthier indoor environment overall.

Taking a break from your bed-making habit might feel strange at first, but the benefits to your health and indoor air quality could make it a worthwhile adjustment.

Dr. Figura’s Recommendations for Dust Mite Control in Your Bed

If you’re concerned about dust mites, Dr. Figura has shared additional tips for reducing their presence in your bed. Alongside leaving your bed unmade for an hour or two in the morning, he suggests implementing a few simple habits that can help keep dust mites at bay:

• Wash Bedding Regularly: Aim to wash sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding at least once a week, or every two weeks at minimum. Regular washing removes dead skin cells, dust, and other debris that dust mites feed on.
• Use Hot Water: Wash bedding at temperatures above 60°C (140°F) to effectively kill dust mites and remove allergens.
• Vacuum Your Mattress: Vacuuming your mattress on a regular basis can help remove dust and mites from the surface, further reducing the allergens in your sleep environment.

By following these steps, you can maintain a cleaner bed and a healthier space, making your bedroom a place that promotes restful, allergen-free sleep.

Why Dr. Figura’s Advice Has Gone Viral

Dr. Figura’s advice has sparked quite the debate online, with many people stunned by the idea of intentionally leaving their beds unmade. Some viewers praised his tip as a simple, practical solution for allergy management, while others reacted with humor or skepticism. Here’s a glimpse into the conversation his advice has sparked on social media:

• “Finally, a reason not to make my bed! My laziness has been validated.”
• “So I should just never make my bed again? Challenge accepted!”
• “Who knew leaving your bed unmade could actually be beneficial? My allergies are relieved just thinking about it.”
• “Guess I’ll tell my mom I’ve been practicing good hygiene all along by not making my bed.”

Dr. Figura’s video resonated with viewers because it challenges the conventional wisdom that making your bed immediately is always the best approach. For people dealing with dust allergies or asthma, his advice offers a simple, no-cost method to potentially improve their daily comfort and breathing.

The Science of Airing Out Your Bed: How It Helps Your Health

Dust mites are resilient creatures, but they’re highly sensitive to dry conditions. When you air out your bed, you’re essentially depriving dust mites of the humidity they need to survive. Without moisture, these mites can’t thrive or multiply, which gradually reduces their population in your bedding.

Airing out your bed each morning also contributes to better air circulation, preventing the buildup of dust and other allergens in your sleeping area. This practice not only helps reduce dust mites but also improves the overall air quality in your bedroom, making it easier to breathe and potentially reducing the frequency of allergy symptoms.

Adjusting Your Routine for a Cleaner, Healthier Bed

If you’re ready to give this approach a try, it doesn’t take much effort to adjust your morning routine. Simply hold off on making your bed right away. Instead, leave the sheets and blankets pulled back for an hour or so to let the moisture evaporate. You can take this time to shower, get dressed, or prepare breakfast, allowing your bed to air out naturally.

While this change may seem minor, the potential benefits to your health make it well worth considering. For those prone to allergies or asthma, this adjustment could lead to a noticeable improvement in how you feel each day.

Conclusion: Rethinking Your Morning Routine for Better Health

While making your bed right after waking up may feel like the responsible thing to do, Dr. Figura’s advice offers a fresh perspective: by leaving your bed unmade, you create a less hospitable environment for dust mites, ultimately reducing allergens in your sleep space. This small shift in routine could lead to a significant improvement in your overall air quality, helping you breathe easier and possibly alleviating allergy symptoms.

With a few extra steps, like regular washing and vacuuming, you can create a cleaner, healthier bed without too much effort. So, if you’re looking for a simple way to improve your health, try skipping the bed-making for a little while each morning—you might just find that this “lazy” habit is one of the healthiest changes you can make.