WHY AFTER 40 I STOPPED MAKING MY BED FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.

They say one of the first things you should do in the morning to start the day off right is to "make the bed."

Well, not anymore, for me anyway, not since I turned 40! So let it be known that after the ripe old age of 40, we finally get out of having to make our bed first thing in the morning.

Here's why.

Don't get me wrong, this rule of not making the bed can apply to anyone once you read what I have to say; I just discovered it in my 40s due to hormone changes etc. I'm not sure if you like me. I'm not quite into menopause yet, but because of who I am, my DNA is a mutant, AKA "Red Head." I tend to create much heat at night while sleeping. Maybe it's not just a redhead thing. Perhaps it's a lot of people's thing. Over the years, I have just been told that laying next to me is like having a natural heating pad to lay beside or thinking of it as a gift from above.

I don't want to say the bed is steamy hot like a sauna because I don't wake up wet or have cold sweats. I feel like my sheets are hot. The thought of dragging up the sheets where I had just laid for hours with my hot body grossed me out. It just didn't make sense to cover it up. I liked the idea of letting them cool down and air out. So I googled it, and my intuition was correct. I read that bacteria can form on our sheets over time, especially when they are covered up, not to mention the shedding of our skin. Our sheets are like a breeding pool for bacteria and other forms of living creatures to form and co-habitat. Things like undesirable dust mites, fungal elements, fecal matter, pollen, dander, and dead human cells.

So gross, right. Well, I have some good news it does not have to be that way. Here are some tips for keeping a clean, fresh bed to crawl into every night. Things I now practice as a conscious adult, and my peace of mind is much better for it.

Tips for your keeping a germ-free, clean, fresh-smelling bed.

1. Once you have woken up, pull back the covers and let your sheets air out.

2. Spray with an anti-bacterial DIY spray; I will leave the recipe below that I use. once it dries, I use a lint roller over my sheets to collect any loose hair, fluff balls, skin, maybe etc.

3. Purchase breathable sheets, bamboo or Egyptian Cotton etc.

4. Wash your sheets and pillowcases once a week. Mattress Covers every 2nd or 3rd week. I do my sheets on Sundays, Mattress Covers, once a month. Vacuum the bed when you do the Mattress Covers; I sprinkle baking soda on my mattress and let it sit for about 10 minutes, then vacuum; it takes any odours that may be lingering. You can add a few drops of lemon essential oils to your baking powder or lavender before sprinkling. Then I will also spray my mattress with the DIY spray.

5. WARNING if you have white sheets, don't use bleach. They will turn yellow over time, or if you decide to don't do it every time. Recipe down below for white sheet washing.

6. Get to know where your closest laundromat is and bring your comforter into the big machines once a month. If you have a duvet cover, washing it every second week at home should be enough. Unless you sleep with your fur babies, you be the judge; know they carry some freaky bugs.

I hope this makes you think of your bed and bedding positively so you can get the best night's rest and sleep possible.

P.S Something else to think about is that practicing this around the flu season will help make you stay healthier and happier, especially if you have kids. :)

If you have any tips, comment below.

DIY Bed Spray

There are tons of DIY sprays you can google, I recently have been doing this, and I like the smell, and it does the job I am looking for.

Sprinkle some booster or dots in the spray bottle with more than warm water but not too hot. Fill about halfway or more, add the witch hazel and shake.

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