The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-11-27
How Much Time Should We Spend
Outdoors?

Most people do not spend enough
time outdoors. This is one of the most
prominent causes for many of the all
ments which exist today, and the
growing tendency of modern inven-
tons for ease and comfort make If
daily more necessary that a certain
portion of the twenty-four hours he
spent outside
Taking this as an established fact.
the question follows, how much time
should be spent outdoors? Each con-
stitution makes its own demands. but
IL may be safely said that the great
majority of people who live in large
cities-particularly in the congested
districts-do lot get enough exercise
and do not breathe enough pure air
for their physical well-being.
The economic conditions of TODAY
bring young people fhto shops. offices.
stores and factories at an early age.
during the period Of their development
when they need all the oxygen they
can pump into their lungs. Sion 70
think Of the thousands of young bows
working in factories from z in the
morning until in the evening. Count
me thousands Of young girls who are
employed as stenographers. telephone
operators. salesladies, seamstress and
clerks. Now, these demand a certain
amount Of outdoor exercise each dav
The man or woman whose occupation
demands much travelling back and
Iorth, or Is entirely performed in the
OPEN has no need to provide for any
more But, the others do. Sedentary
habits are physically harmful and
must be counteracted. The fact that
people neglect to do so is the reason
OF so much i'll health and puny growth
particularly among girls
The convenience of cars has taken
away source Of healthy exercise
Many who are confined throughout
the day imagine they are too tired 10
walk home and must. therefore. lam
into a crowded street car. If at all
possible they should walk to and from
home and their place of occunation
each day. It may take little more
time, but the advantage to health
more than makes up for this. And a
walk during the dinner hour. If at all
possible, should never be neglected. II
j. absolutely necessary that young peo-
pie be out and about q certain num-
Der Of hours each day For some less
time will suffice than for Others. but
IL is safe to reckon that three hours
each day in good weather is not TOO
much for anybody II no other time
can be found walks should be taken in
me evening under proper guidance
But the night is not the best time.
Everybody Is a certain amount Of
sunshine. a- Alright will not an
swer the purpose.
1t isn't glossary to advise the
young fello wuo going to school or
college. His sal1's and holiday excur-
Sions more uaan supply sufficient exer-
else for him J2a-lcr. note of warn
ing should be eiran him There is such
thing as too ~ oh exercise and over
doing it. IT is noteworthy fact that
very few fine athletes live to an old
age. The reason for this is that as
they grow older they cannot keep uD
the exercise thew have inlposed on
themselves and to which their svstom
is accustomed. rapid decline at this
period is almost the invariable rule.
Athletes who boast of large chest eX-
mansion. due 10 a fine DEVELOPMENT If
the lung capacity, so very frequently