CONTROL YOUR NERVES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 22, 30 April 1947, Page 6

CONTROL YOUR NERVES

The nervous system will not function evenly and well unless the physical body is nourished on a balanced diet and has regular rest and sleep. A moment’s thought will con-

vince you of the close interweaving of the physical and mental. What is the return road' from a nervous breakdown? Surely it is a slow rebuilding through the physical body —a change of scene, a good diet, more rest and sleep, daily exercise, and pleasant occupation—that’s the usual prescription. Care of our nervous system, though founded on bodily health, involves some mental control also. Everybody is inclined to be overanxious, to get worked up at times, but we quickly get over it and forget. A few seem unable to do this. A habit of worrying develops; Little slights, small disappointments, and things generally get on their nerves. The world seems against them. A sense of insufficiency for the daily job, a loss of self-confidence, fear of a breakdown—these things grow until the person becomes neurasthenic. It is really a vicious circle. This very self-induced and fostered anxiety exhausts the individual. Sleep is broken. The next stage usually is to develop bodily troubles and blame them for the mental upset—indigestion, heart troubles, and so on. We should never let ourselves get into such a state. We should never confess ourselves as being nervous or highly strung. Because we are on edge and wrought up, daily tasks must not be dodged, nor must headaches, biliousness, or a jumpy heart be made the excuse for getting out of tasks rightfully ours. Such a procedure grows on one until the nervous state becomes the master. Face up to the cause of the worry, or loss of self-confidence, and if you cannot do so without help, see a mental specialist and follow his advice.

Wakeful nights should be countered calmly by remembering the rest is still doing good and it is only the worry that is spoiling sleep. Take comfort from the knowledge the worry will ultimately go if we don’t give in to it. Everyone of us has to keep the mental mastery of our nervous system. Take expert advice early if you are developing into a worrier.