LEARN HOW TO "LET GO."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 7 (Supplement)

LEARN HOW TO "LET GO."

Bv a Phvsician

"Relaxation, in those days of ever-grow-ing /tension, is a vitally important factor in good health—how important comparative iy few people as yet real We.

To those who think about it at all ' relaxation most often means recreation —jsome change of occupation or interests that helps to break the routine of ex-, jsfanee. This while it is commendable as evidence of a realisation of the need for such a change, is by no means enough to relieve tha strain of modern life for many. Kest—the. right kind of rest —is an absolute', essential to the health of both body and mind. And rest can become just as Much a matter of habit as the tension or Strain which it is designed to relieve.

Relaxation can be obtained in various ways, but 1 know of none better than Ivihg down in the open air, either 011 the ground itself or iu a comiortable chair, and accustoming the mind and body to the idea oi peace and all that it implies. Ii is necessary first, to loosen every Biubile in the bodv, a feat which is not no easy as it sounds, tor it is.not enough merely to induce the sense of limpness in arms or lees. Every muscle, including those of tiie face: and neck, snouid be " lot go,' 1 until one has a feeling of real ease pervading the whole body. This will tome after a trial or two. Having achieved some degree of relaxation deliberately relax still further; you will he surprised to discover how far you tan carry the process. Tha s.eire of weil-being that comes with frireful and studied practice lias to be *!>:perienecd to be properly appreciated. It is quite astonishing—as are the effects on the health in general. Learning to 14 let «o " is one of tiie most Valuable habits that the modern man and Yrornan can acquire. I/know a citv business man who makes n point of regularly ami deliberately relaxing in this way in the train in which L-j travels to and from his oifice.