OVERWORK DOES NOT KILL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3463, 31 March 1930, Page 7

OVERWORK DOES NOT KILL.

(By a Physician.) ‘‘Overwork does not kill,” remarked a coroner the other day, and there is no doubt that up to a point his dictum is sound. Lack of occupation is probably responsible fox* more ills, physical and mental, than too much work. But overwork, when coupled with certain undesirable states oi heiug, may quite easily precipitate the gravest dangers to the health. Nature works by a series of compensatory processes. Given fresii air, good food, plenty of sleep, and a reasonably satisfactory environment, not to say good habits generally, a man can safely undertake what under other conditions would soon rob him of his energy and fitness. Thus overwork is only bad when the balance of nature is upset. Most of the evils arising from it are due to ignorance of or disregard for this primary consideration. Those whose business or professional duties make exceptionally heavy calls on their bodily and mental strength should therefore be careful to study the other side of their health account. Relaxation is a valuable means to recently, is a most valuable means to this end, especially when indulged in out of doors, as was suggested. A few minutes a day given to the practice of it will obviate many of the ills and discomforts that follow a too-pro-longed application to hard work. The heavy worker’s food, again, should be as simple as possible, so that the digestion is not unduly taxed. Special care should be given to the chewing and digestion ol meals. Half an hour’s rest, at least, after food should be taken whenever possible, pew people realise the havoc wrought on the digestive organs as a result of a too speedy return to strong mental efforts after meals—a process which draws from the stomach the energy essential to the perfect assimilation of food. Overwork, then, need not be the bugbear to existence’ that many suppose it to he, if only these few simple rules of living arc carried out. illness is the result of upsetting the bodily and mental rhythms. Maintain (he necessary balance and your risks of breaking down arc reduced to a minimum.