Housework and Health

Grey River Argus, 28 July 1925, Page 8

Housework and Health

The performance of housework is generally looked upon as a very fatiguing occupation. Very often, however, the cause of fatigue is to be found in the method of work rather than in the work itself.

i It is not paring vegetables that makes one tired, but standing in a ‘‘slouchy” position with the weight cf the body thrown onto one hip. Similarly washing-up is not in itself fatiguing, but stooping over a too low sink cruises an aching back and weary muscles. Hight posture is essential to efficient work of any description. Standing badly—with stooping shoulders and weight unevenly balanced —interferes with th? breathing and causes a feeling of mental confusicn and despondency. The daily practice of deep-breathing exercises will be found of the very greatest help to the easily-tired worker, as it is impossible to breathe deeply and stand badly.

Many women are under the impression that standing is exercise and that to sit down at work is a sign of weakness or inefficiency. This is a great mistake, as has been proved in all commercial industries where seated workes have been found to produce more work in less time and with less fatigue than when standing. A sitting posture is always more efficient and less fatiguing than a standing position. It is much easier to prepare vegetables, mix cakes, iron clothes, etc., sitting down than standing, provided the seat is sttfri ciently high for easy manipulation.

A ‘‘cluttered” kitchca is anoth'r source of fatigue. The very sight of piled up dishes waiting to be washed, meat and vegetables waiting to be converted into pics, and probably the general cleaning equipment in one corue> of the kitchen, causes flic worker to become discouraged, and this iti tun, lowers her work efficiency. Order

therefore of the first importance. Th. power to relax is a habit which every home maker should cultivate. Relaxation consists in making the bo].' “limp’’and letting the tenseness of both muscles and nerves entirely disappear. Every houseworker should a' least onee a day lie down in a relaxed position for from 10 to 20 minutes. This causes the blood pressure to lessen and thus the cell walls are rested. The study of such details as there is of real importance. Fatigue has a direct relation to the personal off' cieiicy of the worker, and the tired <>'.t woman is neither a successful housekeeper nor a helpful member of the community.—Mary Gwyr.ne Howell in the Glasgow Weekly Herald.