RELAXATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 221, 18 September 1929, Page 6

RELAXATION.

Even in these days of advanced knowledge, it is doubtful if very many people know mucli about the benefits which result from the art of perfect ' relaxation of the muscles of mind and body. Like (every other art, it can be practised in a halfhearted manner, bringing good, but not perfect, jresults. Yet wonderful and lasting benefits are jjthe result of the practice of perfect relaxation. ' | Perfection in this case means persistent practice until the desired results are achieved. It is easy to relax. It means just a "letting go" of tlio inuscles of the body. Fear can be controlled by ij (relaxing the muscles round the region of the j keart, the seat of emotion; thus in cases of sleepJ fcjssness caused by the fear of not sleeping (which i iuise is more general than is realised), the V- Hifferer should consciously .relax in that particular n pgion until the palpitation caused by fear has « ompletely ceased. When anyone lies down to Hist the natural relaxation of the body is followed bj r relaxation of the mind, or brain cells. But vir Hied, or conscious relaxation, greatly intensifies tl p benefit of rest. No effort is needed, but p*k\tience and persistence are certainlv required. r JI lis "letting go" should be practised in every mi of tho body, including the head. Anxious tliK lughts are stilled, and the effect is one of great p<* ,c c. It is well recognised that rest is part of i tb«*-iture for many ailments, but to what extent relief can be obtained by persistent relaxation in tlujt t j (art of the body where pain is felt does not secfj| i lo be realised. At first very little relief, if any, i e felt, but herb, again, patience and per- j sev(j raitce work wonders. It would seem that the j cells" in. the seat of pain are given a better chance to a 3ct n'er themselves, the blood can circulate betts r i\nd so assist Nature instead of hindering in tlj e v. tork of recovery by setting up resistance. To all v, »Sio suffer from sleeplessness caused by overartrai /i of the mind or nerves I would say, do not Wai< y until bed time to relax, but at every reasonal io opportunity, or whenever you find yoursieK in a state of tension, make a habit of relaxfa/j —G.A.