SLEEP AND MENTAL STRAIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1695, 5 April 1917, Page 4

SLEEP AND MENTAL STRAIN.

Whenever the brain is greatly over-taxed; when the mental faculties have been on the work and worry for too long a period continuously, sleeplessness is nearly sure to follow. And when sleep refuses to come, and the tired brain cannot obtain its much-needed rest, a sort of vicious circle is set up and goes on until sometimes complete mental breakdown is produced. The feverishly active brain cannot sleep; sleeplessness fatigues it further, until this chain of effects can be broken, each works on and increases the other. Therefore it is that every effort must be made to break the circle by securing—if necessary by what in ordinary circumstances would be dismissed as unnatural means —one or two nights of really sound sleep. This is one of the reasons why active outdoor exercise is often useful in these cases. With the body thoroughly fatigued by healthy exercise, and the circulation stimulated and steadied, sleep often conies easily, and the brain gets its needed rest. But care must be taken to avoid over-fatigue of the body. Violent exercise is unsuitable in such cases, and perhaps the very best treatment possible consists of a long day’s steady walk in (he country, preferably with a congenial companion to keep the mind occupied with things outside itself. On returning home at night a hot bath should be taken, then a light meal or a big basin of hot bread and milk, and the patient should go straight to bed before the brain has time to become again involved in the worries of the dav.