Atlanta tri-weekly journal., 1924-08-09
EMOTIONAL CONTROL
RV n AddinotOn Bruce


" T is one thing to know that control of the
emotions-and especially of habituaI feel
ings of fear, worry, irritability, and the
like-fs of great importance in the conduct
of life. 1t is quite another thing to attain
the desired control.
Many have been greatly aided to do by
the simple device of scrutinzing their living
habits and correcting any error into which
they may have inadvertently fallen.
There are people in whom feelings of anx-
iety and dscouragemen are little more than
the reflection of long continued failure to eat
sufficient food food OF character really
nourishing to them. There are others whose
loneliness is at bottom symptomatc of
self-pOisoning due to persistent overeating of
foods such meats, sweets, and starchy
edibles.
Similarly feelings both Of gloom and of
irritability may be induced by the leading of
too sedentary a life, perhaps in quarters
from which sunshine and fresh air are pret
ty vigorously excluded. Not a few people
have gained remarkably in emotional con-
troi by merely substituting an exercise habit
for one of non-exercse, and by freely ven
tilating the home and the working place.
Anything, in fact, that causes a depletion
of the nervous system tends inevitably in
the direction of lessened emotional control.
If only for this reason it is important to
avoid pushing oneself to extremes in either
work or play, to make the keeping of late
hours the exception instead of the rule, and
to beware of hurry and tenseness as charac-
terstics of the waking life.
Power through repose is no mere figure of
speech The practice of momentarily relax
ing at frequent intervals during the day con-
duces both to greater efficiency in the doing
of ones work and to greater ability to keep
ones emotions in hand at all times.
Then, too, help in the gaining of emotion
al control may be derived through improv
ing the posture.
This applies particularly to the timid and
the gloomy Seldom do you find these stand
manfuly erect If they will but train them
selves thus to stand, and if in addition they
will force themselves to look a bit more
cheerful, they will soon late find their
feelings correspond more closely to their
posture of courage and of cheerfulness.
Such persons, still further, should make
it point to associate as much as possible
with people who are already emotionally
controlled. Thus they will profit from the
influence of mass suggestion always
potent influence for veal or woe.
Thought needs also to be given to the
choice of reading matter Hurtful for every
body, books of a morbid, distressing, and
doubt-creatng sort peculiarly hurtful to
the emotionally uncontrolled
Such books-pessimistic cynical, or SEX
obsessed novels, for eXample-should be read
at most by title only Preference should al
ways be given to books of really construc-
tive, inspiring character.
Finally, and an aid by no means to be
despised the furnishings and decorations of
the home should be chosen and arranged
with an eye to their possible effects the
emotions.
Over-furnished homes, gaudily decorated
homes, homes reeking with disharmonies in
color, make directly for nervousness and
through nervousness. make also for habitual
fretfuness, irritab bility and anxiety.
Copyright, 1924.)