How can making the bed every morning build our sense of self, confidence, and ultimately, our mental health? That’s the question Jason Rice, an occupational therapist who works with forensic clients at The Royal’s Brockville Mental Health Centre, will be discussing in a webinar on May 3, 2022.
Rice says that focusing on small, meaningful, tasks such as making the bed is a healthy practice for anyone, not just his clients. Even the smallest tasks – ones that take a few minutes to do – can elicit a feeling of pride and accomplishment.
“Making the bed is something most people can do. You get up, make your bed. It’s a small goal, a small win that leads to the next thing,” says Rice. “Even if you've had a bad day, you come back later and at the very least you have a freshly made bed.”
“One day it's the bed and the next it might be something bigger. We’re building on successes.”
Vocational rehabilitation refers to activities that help individuals prepare for life at home, in the community, or out in the workforce. It’s a significant focus of Rice’s work at The Royal.
Rice says the vocational program uses meaningful tasks as “building blocks” to help individuals reach their goals. For the forensic population – especially clients who have been disengaged from their community for longer amounts of time – the journey to community reintegration often begins with simple goals such as cleaning and bed making.
“One day it's the bed and the next it might be something bigger. We’re building on successes.”
“It's about being proud of where you are, no matter what circumstances you are in. And hopefully they carry those skills and that routine and practice to their next place, whether it's a group home or an independent apartment,” says Rice.
Mastering those basics can bring about a sense of pride, which is especially important for anyone who feels low, anxious, or needs something to focus on.
Some clients find personal satisfaction in tidying their space, for others it might be cleaning the fish tank or working at the car wash.
“That's our job, never to stop looking or trying to help or find those things. Because you never know what's going to stick,” says Rice.
Rice says that much of what he has learned over the past 18 years working in mental health applies to many other parts of his life.
Rice, who is also a hockey coach, talks to his players about those “small wins” as well. That big league championship win can only happen if there were many smaller ones along the way, starting with learning how to skate and hold a hockey stick. If we want to reach a larger goal, we can’t skip over the little things.
While Rice’s webinar is ultimately about vocational rehabilitation at The Royal, there is a life lesson at the heart of it that anyone can appreciate: There’s meaning to be found in simple tasks such as making the bed. And while setting goals, building healthy routines, feeling productive, and having a purpose, are important for everyone, sometimes starting small is the best approach.
“The little wins go a long way,” says Rice.
Click here to register for The importance of making your bed webinar on May 3, 2022.