Evening star., 1928-12-19
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES E. TRACEWELL.

detailing new discoveries" along the
lines of relaxation. In the main the
| theories were exactly the same as out
| lined, with special emphasis on the ne
| cessity for relaxing the eyes and the
| throat If sleep is to be secured by the
| method. The entire process was
played up" as possible relief for in
| somnia.
There can be little question that en-
phasis on the eyes and throat is par
ticularly needed. A brief trial by any
one will convince him, we believe, that
the eyes must be relaxed time and time
again before anything approaching
complete lack of muscular tension is
secured. The relaxation of the throat,
particularly the back portion thereof, is
important. There is probably some very
close connection between these areas
and the brain--certainly the proximity
of eyes, throat and brain is apparent
enough--which seems to make COM
plete relaxation an essential to sleep.
Those who can secure this naturally
without thought are lucky. Those
whom modern living has made tense,
however, may do great deal by taking
thought Tt is not SO much question
of mind over matter, which some of us
accept only theoretically, as it is of
using the wonderful mind of man TO do
its own biddings. Sleep is a command
of the mind, but one which tensed
muscles sometimes thwart. If the same
mind can then tell the muscles to relax,
and they obey, more or less completely,
sleep will come to the weary.
X X X X
There is, of course, danger that some
exceptionally nervous constitutions will
ever by attempting this sort of con-
scious relaxation. This feeling of
nervousness maybe relieved, if not en-
tirely removed by slightly moving the
particular muscles under mental sur
Vey. If the toes, for instance, slight
Wiggling of the same will do away with
nervous tensions. The whole point Of
the process is to rid the body of tighten
ings brought about by Is or more hours
of wakefulnesS on ones feet. II, In Sc
curing this desired effect, nervous ten
sionS are added when only partially sue
cesSful muscular relaXationS are secured,
1t may be questioned whether the cure
is not worse than the i'll.
AS matter of plain fact, however,
there Is nothing either "faddy' or fool
ish about this method. 1t is such plain
common sense that almost any one will
DSneI1C Dy trying IL. FI6dSe 40 IlOb ch-
pect miracles. 1t will be found that If
the eyes are closed, and the body is in
a comfortable sleeping position, and the
parade of the muscles Is carried out, the
relief of tensions will be noticeable. In
many cases sleep will result at cnce. An
advantage of this method is that it takes
the mind off other things, such as
business or the worries of the day, and
otherwise occupies it. This is better
than counting sheep" etc. The great
gain, of course, is the actual relaxation
of muscles secured. It will be found by
most people that the three most tensed
areas are the eyes, the throat and the
neck, particularly the back of the neck.
One may return time and time again to
these, to discover each time that they
need relaxing. There is no magic in
this scheme. It Is carried out best by
simply allowing the muscles to feel that
they are sinking downward. We say
allow the muscles to feel" because there
is intelligence in them as well sas in the
brain. It comes from the mind, in the
last analysis. being connected to it by
the most wonderful telegraph system
in the world. Try this plan tonight and
see If it doesn't help you. Even athletes
will receive benefit, since they have the
most muscles,