The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1920-04-16
Copyright, 1870, By International Press Bureau
REST.

Mans body is so constituted that It
must have periods of repose. Rest is
as necessary as food, after a hard
days mental or physical work. Effec-'
tive activity Is based on its intervals
of rest. Much of our fatigue and In
effective work is often caused by I'M
necessary tension and waste effort.
Use only the force necessary for the
successful accomplishment of your
task. Avoid all unnecessary strain.
Do not use the whole body In piece
of work that requires only the exer-
else Of some special part.
When you rest, keep still; when you
move, move with that part of the
body needed. Do not waste your
force by walking with your arms and
face as we'll as your legs. II circum-
stances force an unusual and IA
tiguing amount of exertion upon you,
break it now and then by periods of
absolute rest. A minute or two of
quiet, with eyes closed, with your
tension relaxed and the gearing of the
machinery thrown off for the moment
will help and refresh you greatly.
You must learn to rest your mind as
you do your muscles. The habit Of
mental relaxation Is as necessary as
that of muscular relaxation.
One of the most essential principles
of efficient, successful work, Is to
know when to stop. The most eff
cient person is the one who works
only when at his best, and quits at
the first signs of fatigue.
Efficient work requires close and
continuous attention. Inability to give
close attention to the work In hand is
Natures warning that the fatigue
point has been reached. Persistent
| failure to heed these symptoms usual
1y marks the beginning of nervous ex-
haustion with all its attendant evils.
The vital functions are all affected by
| fatigue, producing a condition of low
vitality in the organism, making 1t
very susceptible to all forms of dis
! ease. The tired man loses his self
control, his judgment, his sense of
proportion. Fatigue is so far reach
ing that it affects the power to live
up to moral principles. You must
realize that it is better to regulate
your daily tasks with some regard for
your nervous system than to burden
yourself with nerve-raeking work for
weeks and months until you are forced
to take a rest. You should make 1t a
rule to rest a little after every I'M
portant task accomplished, particu-
larry after you have gone through a
severe nervous strain.
When the time comes to rest, do so
In fact, not merely In name. The
power of perfect, child-like relaxation
must be cultivated in order perpetu-
ally to renew the body. When this is
acquired you will get as much rest
in a few minutes of quiet as many
get out of several hours sleep. To
relax for a few minutes during the
day is often very refreshing. Fatigue
and rest must balance. If you rest
too much you are not going to get
strong. If you work too hard, physi-
cally or mentally, you will go to
waste Activity is life; stagnation Is
death. Learn to balance! When man
learns the art of wholesome living,
the recuperative power of intelligent
rest and the rejuvenative power of
contented thought, that tired feel
ing" will disappear and he will be
filled with energy, enthusiasm, peace
and happiness. Only by daily, har-
monious use of all ones being-facul-
ties, functions, senses, muscles-can
one earn the right to prolonged pos
session of them. LEARN HOW TO
LIVE.