Can You Rest?

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 12, 5 October 1928, Page 12

Can You Rest?

OW many of us workers know the real value of five minutes’ relaxation ? Many of us never relax even in bed at night. How do you sleep ? Do you sleep with all your muscles taut; are your knees bent and your hands tightly clenched, have you a frown of concentration on your face ? Just before you go off to sleep tonight make a mental observation of the position and condition of all the superficial muscles of your body. You will be alarmed to find how little real rest you have been giving yourself. Your toes are curled tightly downwards-you may: be one of those people who sleep with their knees almost touching their chin. It is remarkable how many people complain: "I seem to sleep quite weli, yet I wake up feeling tired in the morning’"’-and no wonder ! Why must we wait until our annual vacation to relax when we can do it at any time during the day ? Can you relax? ‘Try it now. Lie flat on your back, arms lying by your sides, and try-you cannot do it. You have been rigid for so long. It will take you a little while to learn. Try again. Begin at the top of your head and relax your scalp-you did not know you were holding it taut; next, relax your forehead until your frown has disappeared. The head and face muscles are perhaps the most difficult to relax. Let your face fall; you will not look your best, but never mind. Now drop your shoulders. Relax your arms inch by inch, relax your legs from hips downwards inch by inch, the muscles of your feet, your toes. Now what about your brain? Can you make your mind a blank at will ? Try it. It will need an effort to relax completely at first, but in a week you can do it quite easily at any time of the day. When you are working at high pressure.spare five minutes in your office and let go. You will start afresh with renewed vigour. Your nerves will benefit. You will never again find yourself at the end of a busy season suffering’ from such nervous exhaustion as to feel that if you cannot get right away from your business surroundings you

will surely go mad.-

-A Woman Doctor.