The Need of Relaxation by Mrs. H. R. Salisbury

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 5, 1911

The Need of Relaxation

By Mrs. H. R. Salisbury

MRS. H. R. SALISBURY

A GLANCE at the tense faces and bodies of those we meet daily in the streets, is all that is necessary to convince even a casual observer that there is need of relaxation—a little “letting go” of the tension. If we are in a hurry, we not only run with our legs, but with our faces, our arms, our whole bodies, and thus a great deal of energy is often unnecessarily and unconsciously wasted. Through simple thoughtlessness and lack of self-control we sometimes tire ourselves more than we would by hard physical labor. What we need is not to do less work, but the same work in an easier way, with less tension.

Waiting for the Train

If you have an important engagement to meet, and your train is fifteen minutes late, do you sit or stand quietly, conscious of the fact that your hurry will not bring the train any faster? or do you pace the platform, look up the track every two or three minutes, and consult your watch between times? If you do the latter, you not only tire yourself, but waste much energy which might be put to better use.

“After we discover that the people who sit still on a long railroad journey reach that journey’s end at precisely the same time as those who ‘fuss’ continually, we have a valuable piece of information which we should not fail to put into practical use.”

There is a wonderful connection between rest and quiet of the body and of the mind. Perfect control of the body gives control of the mind also, and the ability to keep perfectly still when one feels nervous, has its quieting effect on the mind.

Don’t Fidget

When you are talking with a friend, do you stand still, without shifting from one foot to the other, playing with your watch-chain, or smoothing the handle of your umbrella? If you are waiting for something, do you tap with your foot on the floor, or drum on the chair or table? When you sit, do you hold on to the chair, or does the chair hold you? If, whenever you sit down, you would relax your hands and arms and allow them to rest in the lap, you would rest more; and by withdrawing the energy and tension from those parts of the body which are not in use, you can economize strength and nerve-force, and be resting one part while the others work.

People speak of “bracing” themselves to stand a pain. The very act of bracing often makes one feel the pain more intensely, because all the nerves are put on a strain. The next time you have to visit the dentist, do not grasp the arms of the chair tightly and nerve yourself for what is coming, but instead, relax; let your hands rest easily in your lap, practise slow, deep breathing, and see if it is not less painful.

A Good Resting Exercise

When you have been working under a strain till you feel tired, physically and mentally, and can not take the time for a half-hour’s nap, take ten minutes for the resting exercise given below, and you will be repaid for the time spent:—

Lie perfectly flat upon the bed, or better, the floor, and “let go” as much as you can, allowing the whole body to relax. Let yourself feel very heavy. Close the eyes, and slowly take six deep breaths. Imagine that all the life has been withdrawn from your right arm, except in the upper part. Keeping the eyes still closed, very slowly raise it from the floor, lifting it only a very few inches in a minute. Lift entirely from the upper part of the arm. By the time the arm is vertical, you will find it quite heavy. Hold it straight up while you take three more deep breaths, then lower it as slowly as you raised it. Let the hand hang relaxed all the time. Take the same course with the left arm.

Washington, D. C.