EXERCISE & REST ESSENTIAL FOR GOOD HEALTH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 53, 19 October 1949, Page 7

EXERCISE & REST ESSENTIAL FOR GOOD HEALTH

For a balanced health programme man needs both exercise and rest. The latter is easy enough, provided it has a proper part of the day’s life. And when resting, relax completely. But exercise needs a little more thought, study and practice. Although it has no definite effect on organic disease, there is no getting away from it that exercise has a very definite effect on body processes, especially the heart rate and blood pressure. ■ It is important to choose some exercise that is liked. This, not only aids one to keep it up regularly, but adds psychological benefit to the physical improvement. Outdoor exercise is much better than an indoor routine—unless one plays something like table tennis or badminton with plenty of ventilation in the room. In fact, exercise in the open air has been described as a life-giving necessity. It should be so planned as to strengthen by use organs that have become weakened.

Rest must be balanced with exercise for the maximum benefits to be derived. The average adult needs about eight hours’ sleep a day. Relaxation during waking hours —musbular and mental relaxation —helps very considerably too. Rest periods enable the rebuilding necessary after muscular fatigue also. Individuals vary considerably in their rest and sleep requirements. If the amount of exercise taken is adequate, nobody needs to be told what the quota of rest and sleep should be; Nature will look after that.