ADVANTAGES OF "THE ROCKER."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21054, 17 June 1930, Page 17

ADVANTAGES OF "THE ROCKER."

If your house does not boast of a rocking chair, try by hook or by crook to secure one of these high-tension reducers without delay. In a very short time you will wonder how you managed without it. The often, repeated advice to tired, nervy housewives to lie down in a darkened room and relax for even half an hour is very necessary these high-pressure days. When, however, the only couch in the house is in the common living room, and the business of lying down means “undressing " a bed in order to prevent crushing the counterpane, a considerable amount of precious time and energy is required to prepare for the rest and to tidy up after. Very often, too, the moment one lays head to pillow the brain becomes more active, and so the very object of the rest is defeated. Using plenty of pillows may help by reducing blood pressure in the brain, but to my mind no rest is equal to that —even for 10 minutes—spent rhythmically swaying in a rocking chair. The ideal type is a chair with arms, and a sufficiently high back to allow the head to lean on it easily, A plain deal kitchen armchair provided with soft cushions does admirably. A handy carpenter will fashion and attach two rockers to the legs at small cost, and a small tin of colourful enamel will transform the homely Cinderella into a fairy princess, fit to grace any room in the house. A low footstool. is a necessity to raise die feet from any floor draughts, and- to assist geutle impetus to the swaying movement. Turn the chair away from the light if it is not convenient to darken the room. Sit comfortably with'the feet on the hassock. Rest your arms on the chair arms with the hands lightly clasping the ends. This position relieves the heart and the chest muscles milch more efficiently than having the hands lying in the lap. Then start swaying slowly and evenly backwards and forwards. Presently a sense of peace and quiet pervading your being will cause you to relax mind and body unconsciously in the most thorough and beneficial manner. Swinging monotonously like this it is absolutely impossible to remain in a bad temper, and any worry or vexing problems assume less alarming proportions calmly viewed and thought out sitting in a moving rocking chair.