The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-15
A SYSTEMATIC REsT-HoUR.
How TO Enjoy Complete Relaxation
During the Day.


There are very few housekeepers,
says the New York Tribune, who APP
preciate the necessity for a systematic
rest-hour In the midst Of the daily
duties. Physicians tell us that there
are very few women who would not be
benefited in health by nine hours sleep
at night and an hours rest after the
midday meal. Most busy women plead
they have no time for this rest-hour,
and even borrow from the night hours
which should be devoted to refreshing
sleep. Most women, however, make
special toilet for dinner The hour
preceding the afternoon toilet is usual
ly the most convenient hour in the
day for a nap.
All women who can spare two hours
in the afternoon to themselves should
cast off all household and social cares
for this period and enjoy a complete
relaxation in a bath and rest-hour pre-
vlous to dressing. 1t is not absolutely
necessary that an hour be spent in
sleep, but it should be spent in rest
ing in a recumbent position.
1t is not an easy matter for a wo-
man who is not accustomed to sleep
in the daytime to fall in a doze at will.
Sleep, however, can usually be induced
at this time by q tepid sponge bath
perfumed with lavender water and by
resting in a recumbent position under
the bedclothes in the regular night
dress. 1t does very little good to simply
loosen the clothing and lie down in
wrapper on the lounge.
After the habit of the daytime nap
is once established the moment the
bath is over and the tired women dons
her night attire she will easily fail
asleep, and succh is the control of the
miEd over the body that if she looks
at watch or clock and firmly detvr-
rnes to awake at a certain hour
she is quite sure to find herself wiGe
awake at that time. The daytime nap
should always be taken in a darken ID
but well-ventilated room, and under
sufficient bed covering. In a sleep like
this weary housekeeper gains enough
extra strength to enable her to feel
fresh and bright in the evening, when
so many women are worn out. Whore
one must trespass upon night hours
usually allotted to sleep the daytime
nap should be prolonged.
on ordinary occasions an hour is suf-
ficient from the time one enters the
privacy of ones rooms to prepare for
the sponge bath and rest until one
arises refreshed from the doze to dress
for dinner.
Not little of the value of this day
time rest consists in a complete change
of all clothing worn in the morning.
The under flannels often become danll
with perspiration in the morning hours,
and are unfit to wear all day and
ought to be aired. Afternoon flannels
should be used with afternoon dress.
Still another set should be used at
night and during the daytime sleep.
Thus three sets of underwear are in
use and great part of the time are
hung up in the air to be purified. This
frequent change of the clothing worn
next to the skin is a cleanly and COM
Portable practice.
Working women should make some
sacrifice to obtain regular rest at
midday If only for a few moments.
While they may not be able to spend
as much time as women of leisure, it
is comparatively easy to contract the
habit of ten minutes nap directly af-
ter dinner, and this short daytime rest
will be of more value than an hours S
sleep at night.