Nerves! The Enemy of Beauty

Ladies' Mirror, Volume V, Issue 2, 2 August 1926, Page 22

Nerves! The Enemy of Beauty

How often in these days of fast motors and vile weather do you meet women whose beauty is being obviously ruined by their nerves ? Lines from nose to mouth, a restless movement of the hands, eyes that are never still, all denoting that curse of modern times, "Nerves". Sometimes "nerves" become so troublesome that a doctor has to be consulted. Five times out of six he prescribes a "tonic'' containing a certain amount of bromide, advises fewer cigarettes, and a simpler life. The patient drinks the tonic, ignoring the rest of the good advice, and becomes as bad as ever when the tonic is fmshed. Nothing in this world ever did "nerves" any good except rest. Rest, that is systematic, carefully concentrated and carried out daily. Cut out all drugs; reduce cigarettes to a minimum, and have at least one early-to-bed night in the week. It will repay you a thousand times. Make time to rest. By rest I don't mean that you should just fling yourself on your bed with a book for ten minutes or so before it is time to go out to keep an appointment. Give yourself one whole hour; get into a warm rest gown; turn out the light, and lie flat on your back, quite still, on your bed, with a handkerchief soaked in eau de Cologne and water laid over your eyes. Try to think of nothing, and at the end of an hour you feel a different person.

"KJERVES have a very curious ef- -*■ feet on the hair, which is not generally noticed. The hair of nervous people is often damp and greasy, yet "stares" like the coat of a dog with distemper ; no amount of brushing will make it "lie down" or keep tidy. Nerves that are really bad are a perfect torture, and if neglected will end in neurasthenia. Good, plain food, outdoor exercise, and, above all, rest; no drugs, medicines, wines, or spirits is the only way to treat the evil. Nine to ten hours in bed every night, and as little worry as possible. Nature, the only physician, will cure you, and in an amazingly short space of time, if you conform rigidly to the treatment. "So dull,'' you will say; yes, no doubt, but so inexpensive, and not really unpleasant. People who suffer from nerves usually make those they live with more or less miserable, because they are unsettled and cannot be depended upon for any length of time. People with nerves nearly always have a grievance, which they thoroughly enjoy, treating everyone to long dissertations on the subject. Anyone suffering from nerves should take themselves in hand and endeavour to cure themselves as speedily as possible, for not only are nerves a menace to beauty, but to health, happiness, and all the good things of this life.