The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-10-04

By Adrienne.

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The vast majority of women find the
art of resting and relaxing an elusive
one And let me say at once that rest
only comes to those who sincerely seek
IT.
The lives Of most American women
are tense, especially those in large
cities. They live in a whirl of strenu-
Gus competitive endeavor, putting
every bit of nerve force into the pres
ent moment, whether that be play or
work, consequently the strain is very
sure to manifest itself mentally and
physically.
The idea of holding off-of waiting
until the depleted forces are partially
restored never presents itself to their
minds. The nervous system is the first
TO show signs of nerve exhaustion and
this condition encourages the many
ailments, even disease, which threaten
the lives of so many women.
The trouble with almost every one is
that they do not understand how TO
rest intelligently, scientifically
L you want to thoroughly enjoy
! your rest, whether the interval be
few minutes or night, you must learn
how 10 relax. how to relieve the joints,
muscles, nerves and the brain of all
tension-in q word, how TO let yourself
Ego
Real rest of this kind replenishes the
body's store of vitality and gives the
brain the needed repose which is pos.
sibIe under no other conditions
When it is impossible TO rid yourself
of that monotonous feeling of weak
ness; your back seems weak and is
painful. circulation sluggish, you are
horribly nervous, irritable, these and
other symptoms are ominous signs that
your body Is crying for rest and must
have it. What you ardently desire is
rest with nothing to do or think about.
Where it is not possible to go off and
seek your haven of rest, much relief
and repose may be gained by a series
of "rest, exercises given on this
page.
The first sketch illustrates the posi-
tion in the series of rest exercises. It
will almost certainly bring relief in
case You are SuUGIlN2 from a pam
in the small of the back. Lie down
with a pile of cushions under the head
and clasp the hands below the knees.
Remain in this position for ten or
fifteen minutes. with all the muscles
OF the body completely relaxed. Rest
ing in this position stretches the
muscles across the small of the back.
producing a better circulation Just
where the muscles have been allowed
to contract through the very common
habits of eurving the back and slump
ing the shoulders.
The second exercise should COM
mand the attention of all who are in
elined TO be stout. or who have a
weak back or sluggish circulation.
Resting on the back, with both feet
propped against the wall for five min
utes or 50. win be found very benef-
eiaL In resting in this position en-
deavOr TO relax all the muscles, but
without lowering the feet, and breathe /
gently through the nose
If Won are troubled with sleepless- |
ness or find that you do not derive as
much real benefit -fTom sleep as you
would ike to, let me advise YOU TO |
try sleeping in the attitude shown in |
the third Illustration. This position |
is meant particularly for those who |
are weak in all organs of the waist, /
and il viii almost invariably give re-
lief, even in eases that have resisted |
the care and attention Of the physi- |
elan.
By sleeping, or even merely resting
for an hour or two. in the attitude /
shown in the illustration. with the /
right arm thrust under the left knee /
when living on the left side, or vice /
versa. in ease you are resting on your
right side. you cause the waist region /
OF your back to be curved outward. /
This gives the small muscles Of the /
back much needed stretching, and /
viii relieve pain where Oftentimes
medicine, plasters and bandages viii /
not i
Another good way to rest Is TO stand /
erect with the arms folded and breathe
slowly. This exercise serves the two
fold purpose of providing repose for
the body and also improving the shape /
Of the shoulder blades. when they are
TOO prominent. and of developing the
chest.
This exercise requires no effort
whatever. and instead Of causing the
slightest fatigue II actually IS restfui-
To stretch the muscles of the back
and hide the shoulder blades when
they are too prominent and TO develop
the muscles of the chest, stand as
shown in the illustration, with the arms
folded. each hand elasping the elbow