p. 13 | The Tired Girl by Mary Eleanor O’Donnell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1907

The Tired Girl

By Mary Eleanor O’Donnell

WE all know the girl who is chronically tired.

And it is utterly impossible for even the strongest of women to keep busy and stirring about continually without dire results.

A certain amount of relaxation is absolutely necessary even in work.

But very often it is the women who have the least to do that do the most, living each day in turmoil and rush.

Pretty soon the drooping lips, the languid air and pallid cheeks tell of the fagged-out condition of this busy lady’s body.

Diagonal lines, criss-crossed, in the middle of the brow are the telltales that one has been giving in to frets and small worries.

The only remedies for these many wrinkles, fagged nerves, and the generally mean, irritable disposition that precedes nervous prostration are found in taking life a little more calmly, in cultivating a cheerful disposition, and a watchfulness over one’s face to see that it doesn’t crinkle up into plaitings.

Outdoor exercise, restful, refreshing sleep, and nutritious food are absolutely essential to the chronically tired girl.

For a tonic nothing will equal contact with cold air. At night the windows of the sleeping apartment should be wide open.

An hour out of doors each day will be of the greatest possible benefit. The body rallies its forces to repel the cold, and so becomes strong and robust.

Too much coddling is the worst possible thing for the girl who is chronically tired. It makes her more delicate, and gives her absolutely no power of resistance.

And while these girls are making themselves physically strong, it will also be a good idea to make themselves mentally strong.

Emotional excitement will play havoc with one’s looks and feelings. Anger, jealousy, envy—all these emotions are tearing down one’s vitality.

One can become old and weary and lifeless in a very few years if she gives up to fretting and that sort of thing.

Be straightforward, kindly, firm, calm, and have a good word for every one, or keep your mouth closed tightly. You will be surprised to find that in such a mental attitude you will retain the buoyancy of youth, and build a firm foundation for happiness.

The chronically tired condition has a dreadful effect on the mind, too, creating morbid thoughts and a general depression of spirit that drives every one into despair.

One of the first things that must be learned is to develop the chest by deep breathing. The chest must be open and erect at all times, and it is necessary to keep in mind the need of continuous effort, not just during the deep-breathing seances, but many times during the course of a day.

Let the breathing be deep and tranquil, but such as to cause the chest to rise fully and fall freely at every effort.

Do this twice or three times a day, and in thirty days you will have lost that chronically tired feeling, and will be five years younger.

Keep your body strong, well, and clean; make up your mind to learn as much as you possibly can, to be kind and generous to the faults and failings of others—and if you do not look beautiful, you will be so, and that will suffice.—Mary Eleanor O’Donnell.