Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-06-07

the game all his life, for the most essential
part oil relaxation is often obtained not from
the play ITSELF but from the mental diversion
and interest in it, and at times quite as much
beneht may be obtained from active interest
IN any sport as from active participation.
third requirement for ideal play for any
person is that it should give pleasure without
this important attribute the full measure Of
benefit cannot be derived from any form of
relaxation. The simple and solitary exercises
In gymnasium in no way approach in benefit
those derived from games or competitions into
which the spirit of pleasure and keen interest
enter very largely. ! question very much, for
example, the utility of horseback riding for
those to whom 1t is no joy. but torture and
agony.
sent greatest benefit to the individual are such
as combine with pleasure the greatest possible
change OF action and thought from those
nues most accustomed In the work-a-day lfe
1t may, therefore, be observed that usually
those forms of play personally best which
are most pleasant to the individual, unless his
appetite in these directions has been abnormal
ly cultivated or perverted The natural instinct
of brain-worker is toward those forms of
pleasure or relaxation which involve physical
exercise. The professor loves his walks, his
fishing trips>or his hunting excursions. On the
other hand, those who their daily bread
and who carry on the ordinary functions of
their life chiefly In physical way should
seek their relaxation more in mental directions.
The physical worker. for example, commonly
receives his greatest satisfaction and benefit
rs 10 play and relaxation In reading or in some
other mental avocation. 1t is indeed true that
The best of play is oftentimes but variety of
work or study, change rather than a rest
The benefits of play and relaxation are not
expressed only in mental terms. 1t is by no
means only to make US happy that we need
play and relaxation 1t is quite as much neces-
sary to make and keep us physically well. Di.
verting pleasure rests and relieves the tired
and overMorked mind as does sleep. It Is
nearly essential and quite as direct in it's
effect on the physical conditions Of the body
Relaxation and play affect the most
elemental of the body functions. high blood
pressure may at times be quickly lowered by
the peaceful strains of agreeable music and
stimulated by the martial strains of the mill.
tary band. The thrill of the fife and the roll
of the drum quicken the pulse and send I'm
blood pressure more certainly and more prompt
y than do strychnine digitnlis All OF us
recognize the delightful effects of music prop
erly designed to induce Sleep
The purr of the cat and night notes OF the
thrush are but natures lullabes. How fire.
quently 1t is that few pages of an Interesting
amusing book will quiet the tired. faded or
depressed mind and induce good nature or
sleep much more satisfactorily than any of the
drugs which your doctor has in his saddle-bags
Relaxation and diverting pleasure are better
aids to digestion than the most potent ferments
on the pharmacists shelves There is no more
genial friends and agreeable conversation
These are indeed the best and safest of cock
tails.
It Is therefore we'll worth the time of any
person, who is either busy or who expects so to
be- to seriously study and consider this impor.
tant problem Of play, that its more satisfactory
results may assist him throughout life which
VIII at the same time become thereby mora
happy, perhaps longer and doubtless more use
full.