The discovery of this article was a free pass for me; it allowed me to go on with my slovenly ways for years, until recently. Six months ago, my Husband and I purchased new bedroom furniture. It is totally gorgeous and makes me feel like a real grown-up. For the first time in my life, I have been motivated to make my bed each and every morning. I even began to consider making it mandatory that my 2 year old make his bed each morning. We were on our way to being a family of bed makers.

However, try as I may, I have been unable to shake the memory of that article. Could it be that my beautifully made bed with it’s flowery duvet and piles of exquisitely placed pillows is actually a cesspool that is potentially hazardous to my health. I have tried to convince myself it could not be so. Wasn’t it plausible that I mentally manufactured that article in a desperate attempt to reaffirm my laggard ways?

My beautiful bedroom was at stake, I had to know. So, I jumped on the internet and much to my dismay, it turns out, it’s true; an unmade bed is messier but healthier. You don’t believe me? I invite you to check it out for yourself:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4181629.stm

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=99181

So the questions remain: Am I a bed maker or not? Do I teach my boys to make their beds or, is bed making a bad habit? I have not made up my mind yet. However, I will say, since rediscovering the article, I have only made my bed once and it gave me no pleasure at all. When I walk into my 2 year old’s room and glimpse his disheveled and crumpled blankets, I relish the sight. His bed may be messy but I know it is healthier for him. I have to hand it to her, my Mom may not have known it, but she had it right all along. An unmade bed is not a big deal. In fact, it’s a good thing.