VALUE OF REST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15807, 2 January 1915, Page 5 (Supplement)

VALUE OF REST.

TRUE RELAXATION. In this active life few people stop long enough to rest, and rest means recupers tion. A really famous doctor said many years ago that if every busy woman would rest one whole day out of every two weeks she would never be ill, nor would she grow old.

That rest does not mean simply remaining in the hcuse, receiving company, nor reading an exciting book, nor answering letters. To rest properly and effectually one should remain in bed twenty-four hours

After taking a warm bath at night, and ha/ing perfectly fresh linen put on the bed, and on oneself, sleep as long as possible, then upon awakening take another bath, and change all the linen again. Eat a light breakfast, read a little, write no long letters, and eee no company. Keep the room cool, and sleep as much as possible during the day. When you arise in the evening, have a cold sponge bath, and drees for dinner or supper. Eat lightly, and go out of doors immediately after, or before the meal, to the theatre, or for a walk, to church, or for a drive.

You will be refreshed and rested for days afterwards. Many women take such restful occasions to make up t'hoir household accounts, or sit at the telephone and gossip to friends, or lie in bed and receive their women friends at tea-

There is no rest in such actions. Real rest is the relaxation of mind and body, and when both can be accomplished at the same tune the best results will be attained.

Even perfectly well women owe it to themselves to take a whole day's rest occasionally. It is not a sign of weakness; it takes strength of mind to rest properly. Sitting up in bed is not rest; one should lie down in a sleeping position, and occasionally flat upon the back without pillows. That position allows the blood to circulate properly from head to foot. Keep the room'as dark as possible, and try to drive all unpleasant thoughts or responsibilities out of your mind just for that one day. That is difficult to do, for when you are alone and relaxed the mind generally rushes to your responsibilities, turns them over, and dissects them. But this one rest day you must drive them away, and think only of pleasant things. Remember— do not die; they kill themselves, is the opinion of the modern 6ci«atisU