Getting Well at Home by L. A. Hansen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 6, 1916

Getting Well at Home

By L. A. Hansen

L. A. HANSEN

DISTANCE lends enchantment to the health seeker. Another climate seems desirable; some other atmosphere seems better; a change of scenery is wanted; a higher altitude is necessary; more favorable conditions are demanded; something else than what we have is thought to be essential to the recovery of health. The fact that that something is at some distance from us may make it all the much more attractive.

True, there may be a real need for different conditions, whether it be in climate, altitude, environment, or something else. We would not say that such wants are always fanciful or whimsical.

Especially it may be true that one should receive institutional care, where suitable facilities are provided, and where skilled help is obtainable. Home conditions may not be such as to provide the facilities for recovery.

But to the one who looks wistfully to the far-away and to the unobtainable, we would say, Do not give up. Do not be discouraged if you cannot reach a popular health resort or a more healthful climate. Do not lose heart thinking that if you cannot get away from home, you cannot get help. Giving up is one sure way of not getting well.

While there are advantages in some locations over others,—the sun shining brighter and oftener, the atmosphere being clearer, the water being purer, the environment and general surroundings perhaps more conducive to health getting,—remember that not all conditions favorable to health are confined to special localities.

Health is not altogether a matter of place or territory. It is not confined to altitude or latitude. It does not require the same slant of sun rays, or the same kind of breeze. While there are spots particularly disease breeding, as a rule health is obtainable in almost any part of the world.

Quite largely is it the case that when one goes to great expense in an extended tour or a long-distance visit in search of health, he applies himself accordingly. He follows the directions of his physician assiduously. He is faithful to every detail of his program, and he makes it his one interest to do everything possible to get well.

Getting well is a serious business. It requires application. It demands intelligent study, and it requires effort. Should one who must stay at home make the same effort to get well that he would if he went away, he would without doubt realize a large share of the returns that would be obtainable elsewhere.

Make the most of what you have. Remember that the elements of health getting are largely within your reach, and it rests with you to determine how much benefit you will receive from them.

Fresh air is curative. A liberal supply of it is usually obtainable without expense. It does not come through a meter. The most of all outdoors abounds with it. If you can't get out into it, let it come in where you are.

Pure water is health giving. And it is comparatively inexpensive. Use it freely, inside and out.

Sunlight has healing virtues. The average invalid can have a good share of it on the porch, in the yard, on the common, in the city park, in the country field. It is the same sun shining where you now are that is shining out in Sunny Elsewhere.

Good food makes good blood. You must eat something in order to live where you are or anywhere else. Give thought to the quality of your food and its manner of preparation. Select the best you can get, and make the best use of it.

Exercise has its place. There are very few sick persons who are not benefited by it. There is probably no place where one cannot get it in some form, as far as locality is concerned.

Rest is recuperative. If you cannot get all you need, get as much as you can. Little periods of rest through the day count up. Early to bed at night helps. A day of vacation is better than none.

It may be necessary to make some material changes in the home, providing a special room for the invalid, readjusting the home life somewhat, providing a detailed program of things to do. To make such provisions, and then do the best one can, is far better than to give up to the hopeless despair of invalidism and expectant death, merely because one cannot go where conditions might be better.